Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-01-22

Of the state board of health.
After the usual delay he was rshercd
into the office of a nervous little man
who said. without turning from his
desk at which he was writing:
'Be so kind as 20 state your business.
and be brief, as time is precious"
80 is human life." said Gordon, who
had refused the chair at which the
officer had nodded when his visitor ell
tered.
The man at tho desk jumped rs if he
had been Unexpectedly hit on the back.
Then lie turned around and looked at
Gordon.
what did you say:'
"You said time was Sccious and
said, so is human life Both state
menls are true. but think mine is
more important"
All, yes; possibly, possibly. VIII you
state your crrand!'
Gordon began. hut hc had not gone
far when the man at the desk inter.
ruptcd.
Are you tenement house inspect
orr"
Il am"
"Regularly qualificd?'
Il am"
"Thcn you ought TO carry this COM
plant 10 the board of state factory and
tenement Inspection
what comes after thcm:' asked
Gordon.
"What:'
'What is the next public body to
which shall he referred after the fac
tory and tenement inspection body dc
mics its responsibility in the natter
The man gravcly stared Mt Gordon.
Don't let it keep you awake to-
night" said Gordon, in deep disgust ms
he went out, and MS it was too late to
call on the state factory and tenement
inspection body he went back to Hope
House, where he made an attempt to
give Il humorous account of his after.
Moons experience, but diSmally failed,
as he could see by the LOOK on Miss
Andrews face.
He went down to the city hall next
day and found that the state factory
inspectors met at regular sessions on
the list Of the month. From all tho
knowledge he could gain he concluded
that the delays he would have 10 en-
durc before that body would consider
his complaint would he SO annoying
that Tommy Randall would have his
double decker all built and inhabited
before the red tape had all been un-
wound from the complaint filed with
the department.
He came back To Hope House and
mad a conference with Miss Andrews.
II an perfectly satisfied as To this
administration" Gordon said. speaking
with reprcsscd Indignation. They are
all n set of political thieves. What do
they care for humanity: So far as
can learn there has never been a con-
victiun during the whole Of the present
administration Cor violating tenement
house ordinances. There have been
numerous complaints filed ut different
times. but they have all been treated
with the most .nsolent contempt or pO-
litey entered in some department,
there tn lie untouched. But there is
one course open 10 us now, and I'm
going To take il.
"Of course I know what You mean.
You can carry complaint directly To
the city attorney, have Tommy arrest
ed and bring the ease into the police
court. % you know how many times
we have had Tommy arrcstcd:'
Gordon shook his head in surprise.
"Witlin the last eight years. for one
thing and another, Tommy Randall has
been arrested as many as fifteen times
with no result except failure on our
part Ia convict. DO you wonder that
we women in Hope House have given
up arrcsting Tommy:'
ut seems 10 me the person TO arrest
is the mayor" groWled Gordon. Be
fore God. he is guilty il ever man was
Arrest Tommy and bring the case in
Julius Chambers court. According t.
the statute law. the jurisdiction of
Chambers court extends to all cases in
Watcrsidc district. Chambers has ncv-
er had Il case of this kind. From al
that we know of him So far he is moi
afraid of Randall nor in any way in
dehtcd 10 him
Gordon gravcly asscnted. He was sit
ting in the library, where his view
through the window extended down
Bowen street 10 the end of the burned
district. He could see group Of work
men laying out foundations for Tom
my's first double decker.
The sight suggested a plan to Cor
don, and he went out and walked Ovcl
TO the place.
Tommy Randall was at the farther
end of the lot. but as Gordon came VI
he walked over to the street and sale
with cheerful insolcncc.
Fine day for building, Mr.. Gordon"
Gordon went down 10 the end of tho
lot. The basement excavation had beer
made, and the masOns We're at work OF
the foundation wall.
Gordon came back to where Randall
still stood.
"Of course You know your rear emo
line for this building runs fifteen feet
farther south than the law allows"
Tommy Randall was chewing Il bit
Of pine splinter lie spit out the piece
then turned toward John Gordon.
is this your building that's COINS
up? Don't You worry about me.
know what I'm doing"
Then TO Gordon's surprise Randall
came up close to him and sail in what
was iutoOGnl for n hluff hearty man