Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-06
"TEzE CRACK IN THE BELL"
4 STORY OF POLITICS IN PHILADELPHIA
By Peter Clark Macfarlane
CHAPTER XIII (Continued)

ssVoU were quoting Tagore, the Hin
l. du poet, in one of your speeches
Another thing he said over here kind of
got under my skin. It was when he re-
marked. that by organization we had
strengthened mans hands far beyond
the power of his soul That's the diff.
ficulty. We build great industrial or
ganization headed by great organizers
of industrial machinery; great execu-
tives. but we haven't found way to
expand their hearts as we expand their
power Their sympathies are just one
man size: their power is fifty thousand
man-power. The same thing extends
over the country and the result is l.
w. W.'ism.
But how are you going TO deal
with it, Jerry's speeches in the cam
subject vaguely, but now he was face
to face with it in a concrete form that
was at once astounding and staggering.
As for the leaders" replied Victor
bluntly, well. I'd back 'em up against
wall and turn the firing squads loose I;
but as for the fellows at bOttom-their
poor. misguided followers-well, | think
I'd try to remove the causes that breed
this sort of industrial firedamp that
explodes at the crack of match. As
to the so luton, were no doubt all rather
vague about it, We've known about
the troubles. but assumed that 1t was
rather, a long way from us here, far
off in the migratory labor: that is, the
labor that harvests the crops. that cuts
the timber, builds the bridges and
makes the railroads. But when 1t turns
up in your own works. when in the
industrial city of Philadelphia that has
more skilled workmen in its borders
than any other. like population in the
world; when there can be laid here this
great plot for property destruction cum
ningly Planned to take place the day
after election just to show that elections,
after all, are really futie-why, it's time
for America to sit up and take notice
of what is going on so close under the
surface of her economic life.
II couldn't tell you this while the cam
pagn was On for fear of distracting you
from your job. but neither could | let
you miss this ohject-lesson tonight You
know. Jerry. you've probably got great
future before. you politically. You've
shown astonishing aptitudes in this cam
paign. You might go to Harrisburg.
You, you might even go to Washington.
We send too many lawyers to Congress
and not enough business executives. And
so, just in the time of elation over a
great victory | wanted to temper it with
a picture of these conditions. For part
Of your job at the City Hall, Jerry, must
be an attack upon this question of rela-
tons between the manufacturers and
their employees, for that is coming to be
more and more the peoples business.
Why, II these fellows grow as they have
been growing, in ten years there won't
be any constitution or any government.
There'll be just the agitators. law unto
themselves"
Jerry all this while had stood silent.
watching the scene as the Federal Of
ficers went on searching, booking and
cross-questioning these men, some of
whom were drowsy some defiant, some
docile. some argumentative. but not one
with the hangdog air or the meek sleek
ness of a professional criminal. They
were much more like prisoners of war.
Now Jerry had no answer and no COM
ment. With final survey and a sigh
he turned away from the scene and the
two men passed out into the freshness OF
the outer air.
But when the young political leader
would have made for headquarters again
Victor stopped him before the door OF
the West End Trust Building.
Come up he said. i've got another
little surprise for you and a good dea
more pleasant than the scene you have
just looked on
But I'm a little anxious about the
later returns" hesitated Jerry.
You can telephone from upstairs
urged Victor. "1n fact. old man this
little surprise party of mine has been re.
ceiving election returns up here al
night"
They were stepping into the elevator
as this speech was made.
Jerry's face lost its gravity as ar
amused suspicion crossed his mind.
You don't mean?
Victor nodded happily.
Ruth and her Aunt Letitia. Sylyy and
her mother, There's been a midnight
supper waiting up there since IL o'clock
and it's now half past"
Jerry's laugh was as happy as boys
Victor" he chuckled, slapping his
hap
little planner. Have you got anything
else up your sleeve, | wonder?"
Victor smiled.
1--WE had a good many different kinds
Of things on my mind he confessed
these last few days"
And on your heart, what?" observed
Jerry. with a wink.
Victor acknowledged this with another
nod. but his smile became graver.
We'll. good luck. old man" declared
Jerry warmly. Nobody can resist you
forever" and he slapped his FRIEND
heartily on the back.
Jerry" cried Ruth, bounding TOWARD
him. you're elected You're elected =
She flung her arms around his neck and
saluted the Mayor-elect on both cheeks
Am II" asked Jerry with a happ!
smile, but before she could answer he had
planted a caress of his own where II
made answering impossible
What are the latest returns?"
Eighteen thousand majority?"
But it was twenty-five when l talked
to them last"
But this is actual. What you had
were estimates"
GIVE me the phone" demanded Jerry
and he got headquarters at once.
Elected beyond the possibility of 6
doubt" said the secretary
Majority cannot possibly be less thar
ten thousand, probably twenty"
Jerry hung up the phone.
Yes, they say I'm elected" he said
and with an expression of doubts clear.
ing UP and of responsibilities settling
on his face as if he realized for the
first time what 1t meant that a young
man thirty-one years old should have
been elected Mayor of one of the great
est cities in the world.
Il suppose, then, you have time t.
recognize my presence, and to ac
knowledge your gratitude to me for stay
ing up all hours of the night that thi!
young lady might be on hand 10 ten
der congratulations at the right momen
of victory"
why, Aunt Letitia!" apologizet
Jerry. leaping up. II did not see yol