For those who don’t remember Political State Report comparing Arnold Maremont to Blair Hull, go here first
I am a nephew of Arnold H. Maremont, the subject of your article of May 29, 2003. I am fully aware of the events of 1961 and 1962 that are the subject of your article. Your article which is taken from the Royko book "Boss" as it relates to the 1961/1962 attempt to secure the democratic nomination for the U. S. Senate and its relationship to the late Mayor Richard J. Daley is basically accurate. Unfortunately, you have omitted two very important parts of the story that might be interesting to your readers.
First, Arnold Maremont was one of the most charismatic leaders in Chicago’s 1950-1970 period. In addition to being a very successful industrialist leading his family business to a NYSE listing as one of the most prominent auto parts manufacturers in the country, serving as chairman of the Illinois Public Aid Commission under Governor Otto Kerner; he was an important collector or pre-Columbian art that now resides in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. He was truly a man for all seasons.
Second, your story about the selection of US Representative Sidney Yates while accurate as to the rejection of Arnold Maremont does not relate the bottomless cistern of cynicism of why Sid Yates was selected and nominated. The Jewish faith of both Maremont and Yates while supposedly the official reason had absolutely nothing to do with the real reason which naturally was so deeply political that it defies reason but not political common sense. The problem was not Maremont: the problem was Yates.
Sidney Yates from a safely Democratic lakefront congressional district had been reelected so many times that he was about to become the Dean (the most senior member) of the Illinois congressional delegation. The dean, Representative Thomas J. O’Brien (the former Sheriff of Cook County known far and wide as "Blind Tom" for obvious reasons) had died and a new dean was about to take over. The "Dean" had much power in committee assignments and patronage and the "regulars" in the party and the congressional delegation did not want a non-regular, independent and quality person like Sid Yates to take over. He could not be controlled and the "boys" did not want any surprises.
What to do?
The answer was simple. Nominate him to run for the US Senate seat against the incumbent minority leader, Senator Everett M. Dirksen, that was up in the election of 1962. The seat that Arnold Maremont was campaigning to be the nominee.
This was a Richard J. Daley special. He could not lose. If Yates won he goes to the Senate and is not the new Dean of the delegation. If he loses, he is out of the House and no longer in line for the succession.
When a week before the election at the end of October, 1962, as the Cuban missile crisis loomed and President Kennedy call all of the congressional leaders including Senator Dirksen to Washington for consultation; the die was cast and the election decided. Dirksen won in a landslide.
And thus, did a fine man like Arnold Maremont get turned away in the cauldron of power politics, Daley style.
I hope you found all of this interesting. Every word is true.
Sincerely,
Ira M. Plonsker
I found your note refreshing and informative. I commend you for having the courage to set the record straight and allowing us, the readers, to in fact, learn the truth.
Thank You.
I study and collect American art of the 1950’s and 1960’s. I am aware that your uncle collected many important artists of this period. Does any of his collection remain intact? Has it all been sold? Is there a place where I can view any of the works that he collected? Do any of the pieces remain in his collection (or estate)? I live in downtown Chicago and would be interested to see any works that he collected. Beau R. Ott ivo@soltec.net
Very interesting , I was researching your uncle and came upon this article and post regarding his art collection. I too would be very interested to know the status of the collection and whether or not any of it remains. Imparticular a painting by Jasper Johns. Please contact me at your earliest convenience. 917.669.0132 amanda.shulman@gmail.com
thank you,
Amanda
I had contact with Arnold Maremont in the mid-60’s with the support of the FHA commissioner at the time. Along with John Stastny, a Chicago home builder, we approached Mr. Maremont at his office, sat in one of the famously expensive Swedish chairs (I think they were Swedish) and got him to support a program with his money that would allow a small group of homebuilders to bypass the impossible approval system of the FHA and qualify 50 families on our own. This would come after FHA rejection for wahtever reason. He agreed, put up the money as a guarantee against failure. FHA would monitor the foreclosure rate of our homes against those approved by FHA. The end result was that not one of the homes we built were foreclosed in the years I traced them until about 1970. God bless his soul. Phil Emmer
I am researching the work of Robert Mallary for a forthcoming exhibition. According to a 1968 catalogue I now have the Maremont Collection owned two works: Sanctum and LaMarseillaise. Are they still owned by the faimly and if not have they been sold or donated to a museum that I might contact.
Thank you in advance for your assistance here.