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+ "Y 92-657 "Phe Gambino Mafia family, according to law en- forcement agencies, includes about 1,000 members of organized ro crime in a variety of rackets throughout and beyond the metropolitan area." On August 26, 1969 the following article appeared in the Late City Edition of 'fhe New York Times," page 44: ¢ "COURT WILL CHECK GAMBINO'S HEALTH "Doctor to Be Asked to Decide if Mafioso Can Testify or ae TNE Owe in "By Charles Grutzner "Whatever Carlo Gambino, reputed head of the largest __ Mafia family in the nation, may be able and willing to'tell a ‘grand jury about reapportionment of the rackets formerly con- trolled by Joseph (Joe Bananas) Bonanno will have to await the results of a medical examination of the 67-year old Gambino. “Gambino, whose cardiac ailment has repeatedly de~ layed deportation proceedings begun 12 years ago, failed to appear yesterday before a Brooklyn rackets grand jury’ that had subpoenaed him. His lawyer notified District Attorney Eugene Gold that his client was too ill to testify. "A new subpoena, returnable Sept. 4, was served on Gambino at his home in Massapequa, L.I. Meanwhile, the Dis- trict Attorney will designate a physician to examine Gambino. "A 1,000 Member Organization wot Dohiss, remnted bass of 1,000 members of organized - . crime, is listed by the vepartment cf Justice as-a Lon«-time member of the Mafia's nine-member national commission. As such, he would have taken part in the decision that ousted Bonanno as boss of a Brooklyn-based Mafia family in 1964. "Phat ouster led to the ‘Banana War' in which ll shootings resulted in seven murders and severai lesser casual- ties before Bonanno gave up his attempt to regain the varieu rackets that had been taken from him.