Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-04
THE CRACK IN THE BELL
\ STORY OF POLITICS IN PHILADELPHIA
'CHAPTER XXI (Continued)
fright. 1918. bv Public Ledger Co.

GRRY had spoken with great earnest
ness his face lighting with enthus-
xssfn as his mind grasped each new de-
t9iI. while Robinson had listened with
surprise and excited holdings of ap-
proval.
You're right old man. you're right :"
q THAT'S common sense. That's challenge
that'll command attention"
It's sense and sense only" insisted
Jerry. Think of trying to buck the
Republican party in Philadelphia or in
Pennsylvania with all of its. prestige.
entertainments and ramifications. and
with the policy of protection. on which
hqh the industries of the State are built,
for its chief political asset"
TT may be, as some people say, that
after the war protection isn't going to
bc as important as it was" replied Vic
sAnd It may be more important. You
can't tell" argued Jerry. Anyway, as
coinmonsense campaigners, we've got to
base our appeal to the voters on a recog-
milton of what is in their minds now"
you're right, Jerry, undoubtedly"
agreed Victor again. Your first opposi-
ton would come from the so-called re-
/. formers, these thorough-going fellows
that want all or nothing. They'd tell
you your new idea was old stuff. and
they had burned their fingers on it be-
''I'll tell 'em it's practical stuff"
"Its awful hard for these progressive,
nheral-mnded citizens to be practical
and TO be harmonious at the same time
commented Rollison. Reminds me OF
he'd been In Washington about year.
You know everybody was kind of sur
prised at the ease with which the Prest-
dent got on with the stand-pat element
in his party: things ran so sIickly with
them that some of the progressive DEM
.ocrats We're kind of miffed and
planation was: You know l find myself
loving the progressive Democrats with
my head and the stand-patters with my
heart. You see when stand-patter
tells me he'll do thing, he's pretty apt
to do it. He seldom gets a new idea.
and a month or three months later. he's
standing right there where he told me
he would be: but these progressive
sighed, they have so many ideas never
know where they are going to turn up
next, and they don't always know them
Now. Jerry, that's the difficulty you'll
have with harmonizing the progressives.s5
they've got so many good ideas they Il
water-log any platform
"Well, that's the first plank in my
q PLATFORM" avowed Jerry-"Committee
control Of the, party, for the party and
,"The question Is" said Victor "how
:.sais, -o5s you going to get it before the Ds0,
! "Maybe I'll just stick it up on top of
.he factory, and let it soak in like our
4 lid sign," Jerry was rejecting when
land was laid on his shoulder and the
|Nn oung man found himself looking into
he broad; shrewd face OF man man WEI, Wei
|Z dvanced in years, who gaZed down upon
|im with kindly, fatherly air
< II beg your pardon, but I've been sit
ling just round the pillar from you
&Slhfd the stranger, speaking with crisp
Whpidity of utterance that belied the APP
earance of age, yet seemed to match
yell with that suggestion of shrewdness
md capability in his face. Il couldn't
hea ring what have been saving.
-FOUR idea Is sound. This game can be
Ieaten. If you will come and see me,
<lhink I can tell you how
Ia Jerry flushed at realizing that he had
peen overheard, and though the gentle
nan's intentions were so obviously
benign, hesitated while card was eN,
before him.
Jerry glanced at the card. and read
the name of jurist of high standing
and scholarly attainments. once once prom, prom,
seen in the daily prints Before thls
name, backed by that shrewd kindly
face, Jerry capitulated instantly. .,
THANKS, Judge, ! should be glad to"
he said, rising instantly to his feet.
The two men shook hands.
Call me on the phone for an appoint
ment." said the venerable lawyer, pass
That's a lucky chance!" exclaimed
Victor. while Jerry had seated himself
again. ,-
Hes a strange, keen character. he
been friendly with every boss in the
history of the city, and yet they say
he believes in good government. His
bench record is clean. He's erudite and
wise. If you could make friend of
him, and get his advice now
II will make a friend of him and get
his advice" declared Jerry with as
surance, for he was flushed with the
bigness of his new idea.
Pretty late for him to be out"
"Oh. the old boy keeps hours when
there's anything exciting on" laughed
Robinson. ''They used to say that when
he got interested in a fight he never
took his clothes off till it was over.
He's retired now, you know; just sticks
to his study and reads; but he still
keeps in touch with the older men. and
the younger fellows with ambitions who
attract his attention and enjoy his con-
ndences count themselves pretty lucky,
They call him the Sage of Philadelphia. y
Remember the name well. of course,
said Jerry. but l never hear of him in
tho newspapers any more"
sS ssThat's because his activities all be-
long to a forgotten decade; but he's
keen and modern. I tried some of my
first cases before him, and got a respect
for the man that never left me. There s
q rare mixture of phlosophic wisdom
ana native shrewdness in him that VIII
surprise and entertain you. Apparently
he's q bookworm, but actually his long
D suit is human nature and man, on, man.
4,s, he this town