Evening star., 1902-08-09

reatiOn pier was more needed than the new
pavements In the outside districts. But
Dorsey and several Of his political adher
ents were financially interested in the paw
ing contracts.
Stirring up all this trouble about a lot
Of babies and women who can't vote"
thought the boss, angrily. why can't peo-
pie mind their own buSinesS?" And Just
then Tom McMannis was announced.
McMannis had called to talk over the po-
litical situation in the tenth ward. As usual,
this ward. the largest in the city in point Of
population. was solidly for the machine.
Dorsey's face frightened up at the first
part of his lieutenant's discourse. Then 1t
clouded when McMannis said positively:
But it seems to me that we ought to
have that recreation pier, anyway. This
hot weather is mighty hard on the people.
Four times yesterday the ambulance was
called And the man who is doing the rush
ing business in the ward is the undertaken -
What can 1 do?" replied Dorsey, impa-
tiently. IF the city appropriates money for
the pier it will run over the debt limit.
You know the people at Albany and the
reformerS are Just looking to catch US up on
that very point
You might let some of those new pave
ments go, or have them put in for half
what 1t IS going to cost" answered McMan-
mis-, bluntly.
Dorsey looked disgusted.
What's the use Of talking that way?" he
grumbled. You know where the money
for that deal is going. A man has to live,
and so must his friends Seems to me that
didn't hear any howl from you when we
put down the East Side sewer. And you
know what that cost and who got the
money. Most Of 1t went right over to the
tenth ward"
This unvarnshed statement Of city
finances was somewhat of a facer for Nc
Mannis.
well, as long as every one was getting a
bit of the coin, didn't see why I shouldn't
myself. But it's the truth I would give up
my share to get that pier. Sure, II you lived
in the ward. and saw the hot kids and the
tired women you would feel the same way
about it,
Maybe we can do something about 1t
| next year." replied Dorsey, but Just now
it's up to you to do some hard work for the
organization before election. You're not 60
Ing t9 let this turn you against the party,
"Of course not" answered McMannis. al
most Indignantly. "You ought to know bet
| ter than that 1t will be many a long day
from now before Tom McMannis votes
against the party. But 1 think it is a
shame about the pier he added obstinately
as he left the room.
Dorsey had not recovered from the an
noyance caused by the discussion of the
recreation pier. when Rev. Alfred Mann
was ushered into the office. If there was
any person in the city for whom Richard
Dorsey had a cordial dislike 1t was Mr..
| well meaning. Mr.. Mann was far from tact
ful- His advocacy OF the claims Of the East
| Side children In the matter Of a recreation
| pier was such as to leave the political boss
In a hot perspiration of rage. In the end
| with stronger language than was due the
| sanctity Of the cloth, Dorsey requested the
| clergyman to leave the room, and added
| that nobody but meddlng fools wanted the
| pier. Neither Mr.. Mann nor Boss Dorsey
| appreciated that Harry Wendell had fore
| seen the interview would probably end this
way.
Following Rev. Mr.. Mann several business
and professional men, prominent in the COM
| munity, but declared opponents Of Dorsey,
| called on the political leader and advocated
| the claims of the tenth warders to the rec
| reation pier. The result Of these maneu-
| vers was that the generally silent and self
contained bos3 was exasperated to such q
| pitch of irritation that mention of the
| recreation pier had the soothing effect upon
| him that the waving Of a red flag has upon
| shown into the boss private office. And
| with Wendell. unobtrusive. but keenly alert
| to every detail, came Jack Whitney, one of
| the reporters for the Express.
| Il came to see you about the recreation
! pier that seems so much needed in the tenth
| ward" began Harry suavely. IT think-'
| But the patience of the exasperated boss
| at last gave way.
| You think!" he thundered 'fWeIl. I
| think there has been too much fuss made
| about that pier. 1t won't be built. The ba-
| They can't voter
IAN right" replied Harry. cheerfully. ..If
that's the way you feel about 1t there's no
| need or saying any more"
Accompanied by the reporter he hurrSed
| out OF the ONCE. For he had obtained er.
actly the statement he wanted Any modi-
fcation Of 1t would only weaken his position
The Express was one Of the bitterest op-