Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-05-27
THE CRACK IN THE BELL
A STORY OF POLITICS IN PHILADELPHIA
!. BY PETER CLARK MACFARLANE
copprioht. 1913. by Public Ledger Co.
CHAPTER XXI-(Cnntinuedl

CHAPTER XVI-(Continued)
afltfCSuLLIvAN's my name" said the
- little man. Danny Sullivan, leader
|N Of the fourteenth division. Forty-ninth
Ward. | just dropped in to tell you,
IS Mr.. Archer, that we programmed your
franchise this afternoon"
Yes. remarked Jerry. scrutinizilg
his caller carefully, the papers an
nounced that 1t would go through But
tell me, Mr.. Sullivan. just what is your
VI interest in the matter?"
why" explained Danny, quite com
posed, II told EN- to do it. This is my
b division right over here" Jerry ierked
y thumb out the window. "and my people
arc Interested, Just the same as yours"
'Oh see" conceded the young manu-
fncturer, and was instantly alert for
I new lesson in politics. would you mind
telling me just how the thing worked
out-aas you see IL? Have a cigar :"
Thanks Sure !" and Danny Sullivan
puffing contentedly, described with
humorous JUNCTION and some pictorial
skill the rumblings of revolt in the wards
which at length had issued in victory
for the Archer Tool Works. And so,
concluded the narrator. Il just told
Schaff they better cut loose and shoot
that franchise through in a hurry. or
fhered be something doing out here so
blamed big they couldn't never stop it."
Il see. But 1t was the sign that did
the business !" said Jerry, determined
that by this little street corner politician
at least his own astuteness should be ad-
mitted
"And the peopIe!" insisted sullivan
with an emphatic nod. at don't newer
do to forget the people-these here COM
mon folks you know that has to count
their pennies, so to speak, before thryf
dast TO take a look at the bill of fare.s
Get me?" and Danny slanted an inquir-
Ing eye.
1.-THE sign was a recognition of the
people, 1t was partly up. to them
b II IN baf
You don't live in my division" par
rico Danny with a smile of engaging
frankness. That's my alibi. What's
Il didn't know you existed" Jerry
acknowledged also with smile. II
didn't know that you were-were neCes-
"a lot of people finds I am" said
Danny, blowing smoke high in the air,
and holding the pose for a moment in
cheerful affectation Of appropriate
Il have no doubt they do" conceded
Jerry. I'D like to have sort Of chat
ting acquaintance with you, myself. Run
you feel like it--or-any time I can do
anything for you. When you've a man |
that needs job and he can earn days |
wages bring him in. I'll pat him to /
'say. Mr. Archer" exclaimed Danny
beaming. You got the right idea and |
want TO tell you something. You're a !
conner. You give the big boys about |
the hardest jolt they've had in some time |
don't know what it is you're after |
but whenever you can show that | can |
help you get it without hurtin my own |
chances for three squares and bundle
OF hay, I'm with you MIR. Archer, right
with you
Danny Sullivan. leader of "the Four
teenth," wrung Jerry's hand and de-
parted
what am after?" ,murmured the
young manufacturer. They all seem to
j "a 10 or cd | E. ]
thing. or / wouldn't be doing this. I'm
after my own, sel-respeot,. that's what
I'm after And Jerry picked up paper
weight and clapped 1t down sharply upon
his desk by way of emphasis.
But Danny Sullivan was not the only
caller who invaded the last hours OF
Jerry's day at the factory. Counctmen
Beverly, Hart and Galloway came also
anc each strove modestly to convey the
Impression that 1t was due to his own
keen political sagacity that the franchise
committee had been persuaded to act
Each. too, was made to feel very much
~ case by jerry and presently was eN-
pressing lively anticipations of cement
ins personal acquaintance into polIt!cal
Last Of all. Fritz schaf himself
came in, and introduced himself, with
q salvey smile, as the ward leader.
That he was also member of Select
Council seemed secondary considern-
"SIr Archer, why didn't you come to
tones of mild reproach; but Jerry had
swiftly discerned a difference between
Schaff and his other callers
because Il wouldn't have done any
good" he answered, sharply. Because
had to make you see, Schad, that It
was to your interest to help me before
yen w9ud do S so ha Isn't mat T9G fac the
ward leader, bland and unresentfuL
1T is so, Schaff, and don't think l
don't know it."
argued Schaff, with another of his salvey
smiles.
But Jerry appeared to hold this pro;
down our sign" he said fixing the man
with an accusing eye. Schaff wriggled
uncomfortably, but laughed.
ss yss Ssa aeng be mqfa t6a 02sd mush Il
was damfool procedure"
at was a criminal procedure" said
Jerry sternly, "and the man, who did
It Is where ! can get him whenever i l
spite of himself However, Schaff. no
nard feelings. The skirmish is over
and we won, so we can afford to be mag
coming. Always glad to see you. you
The ward leader went out, smiling and
affable TO the last, but III at ease and
puzzling his thick head. He had entered
with brazen assurance in his heart; he
was going away disturbed and with
NnOleSOnle rear Ol JHS man llS llfih NOlll'
In. to patronize.
Paul, who had marked the procession
OF Jerry's callers curiously, dropped down
on the corner of his brothers desk be-
fore going home 1T was the power
of the press that did it, he gloated.
"No," demurred Jerry, primed with
more exact Information. 1T was tbe
power of enlightened self-interest--%he
Butcher the baker, the clearinghouse
keeper--the obvious self-interest of the
voting elements in these wards around
us--the power that Rand and his
masters dared not oppose"
who were these fellows?" inquired
Paul
.Councilmen, division workers, the
ward leader himself" chuckled Jerry
1--we had great lesson, Paul, Listen
TO this" He called his stenographer
and began to dictate: II
"GOOD CITIZENSHIP is SELF
IsHNEss-ENLIGHTE SELF
= IsHNESS. GOVERNMENT Is DE-
SIGNED TO PROMOTE THE
sELF-INTEREST OF THE LARG-
= EST NUMBER. THE TEST OF
: GOOD MAYOR. OF A GOOD
4 cOUNCILMAN, OF A GOOD OF
FICIAL OF ANY SORT. Is THAT
n HE ADMINISTERS HIS OFFICE
+. TO ADVANCE THE sELF-INTEh-