Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-10-31
'THE SCoURGE OF GOD"

ssliE stupid attempt of the associated
politicians to deprive citizens Of the
right TO vote next Tuesday has properly
been nailed by the courts. A gang VIC
tory without fight is impossible. It has
been impossible ever since the police de-
partment was turned over to politicians
and the majesty of the city dragged in
the mud by as clumsy a leadership as
ever attempted to browbeat and subju-
gate great city.
The petty annoyances to which decent
citizens are being subjected are simply
Indicative of the gang state of mind.
1t has thrived on intimidation. True,
that intimidation heretofore has taken
the form of threatening oficeholders, in.
terfering with small merchants who could
not exist unless the police let them
alone, getting toll from even important
business men and employing the whole
power of law and authority to maintain
the Infamous Organization, but the intim-
idation has always been there. The
gang knows no arguments except the
blackjack in one form or another. 1t relies
on brute force because it has no appeal
to make to the intelligence. But when
intimidation becomes open and wanton
. physical intimidation directed against
respectable citizens who take no part in
the squabbles of the tenderloin and know
nothing of the habits and practices of
the dope-takers it becomes too mon
strous a thing for any community to
endure. The Organization that uses the
magistrate system, that mockery of JUS
tice, as a compelling political instrument
naturally reverts to the employment Of
police clubs when threatened with ex.
tinction.
"rhe scourge of God" they used to
call Attila the Hun. THE Scourge of
God" the Organization is in Philadelphia
There is no need to recount the expo.
sures Of the last month, no need to tell
again of the abuses which are patent to
everybody and the practice of which con- |
tinues unabated. The situation today is |
different from the situation in other days |
only because the revelations have been |
80 complete The cards are all on the |
table. No man can pretend to disbelieve
and thus justify lending aid and succor
to the gang. He has to take his stand
In favor of decency or in favor of inde-
cency. There is no middle ground. The
mask Of hypocrisy has been torn from
the Organization. 1t stands naked with
its leprous spots covering it from toe
to crown. "Unclean! Unclean!" the lepers
who stood by the wayside in ancient
Galilee were compelled to cry to give
warning of their disease. We have been
forced to unclothe the Organization and
let all see its spots.
The news columns are filed with sta
listical evidence Of what gang rule means
. the treasury and the taxpayer. Who.
sver votes according to his pocketbook,
ayen II he neglect moral influences. must
the ruin that bad govern
nent is inducing. The gang should be
decisively if for economic rea.
Ions only. Were its officeholders as hon.
81 as the sun is bright, still their in.
'ficiency would condemn them utterly.
But when administration translates itself
nto deliberate mismanagement for pur.
'oses Of gain financial or political the
sktreme limit Of abuse is reached.
Public men are cowards." exclaims a
nan who ought TO know AIayhap their
onscienees make them so. But we doubt
there are enough towards and lick.
pittleh in Philadelphia to make gang
ictory possible next Tuesday, police or
10 police.