Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-05
WHOSE FAULT? YOURS

TTNHROCGH the records of police scandals
l. that are aired now and then in Ameri-
can Citcs-usualy as part Of the routine
strategy of competing professional politi-
clans one gets gimpses of a world of
license and lawlessness such as normally
decent people never dream of.
There occur suggestions of a government
within n government of rings within rings
and of the authority of civilized and sup
posedly enlightened States and municipali-
ties used consistently in secret for ends and
in ways that would make any ordinary
savage sick with disgust. We in this city
know what such revelations may be like.
They know in New York and in almost
every city of any Importance.
The people read the newspapers and
shuddcr and blame ''the low politicians
and never suspect that the blame must lie
not on the ''low politician" but the non
political, inactive and uncritical ajority
which tolerates him. The lethurgc or herded
voter is a greater peril TO the institutions of
government in the United States than all
the noisy agitators in the world. Because
of him the corruption of ignorance, greed.
criminNlity. cynicism and cruelty continues
TO penetrate TO the roots Of our political and
social order.
How far are these destructive forces going
unseen? Again il is possible 10 guess after
reading of charges lodged against four
obscure policemen in Camden. Mr.. Bleak
ley. counsel for the city. formally alleged
that one Of these men took protection
money from one girl for eight years, be
ginning when the girl was fourteen years
old. II is further charged that this po-
lircmau became merchant of privilege
within the radius of his beat. and that once
week social Outcasts of all sorts met at
his house to pay tribute to him.
This is shocking. of course. But more
significant than anything ntimated in the
text of Mr.. Bleakley's indictment is the fact
that news of the exposure. made public yes
terday. caused no ripple Of feeling, no gen
crRl mood Of indignation on either side of
the river. II was accepted by the public
as matter of course.
In the end. the people Of Camden may
put their four policemen in Jail.
But the system that made these same men
and permitted them to make abominable and
violently destructive uses of official au-
thority will not go to jail 1t will keep its
place in the sun and do business as usual.
For one of its creatures caught and cX-
posed, hundreds will continue at work below
the surface. And that system and other
systems like It will flourish and actually
direct political thought and action in Ameri-
can Stares and American cities until men
and women can find enough heart. enough
pride. enough courage and resolution within
| Themselves TO pay the slight tribute Of an
intelligent. unbiased. unprrmdiccd vote to
an ideal Of government which hitherto has
done more than anything else for their
happiness. their safety ana their prosperity.
Mayor Moore II few days ago booted two
men out of~the Department of Wharves.
Docks and Ferries because they had been
found accepting money secretly from n con-
tracing concern whose work they were sup
posed TO inspect in the interest of the city.
The contractors, reputable firm of engi-
neers, said in their own defense that if YOU
attempt to do public work you must be
! prepared either to pay the politicians or
suffer bedcvilment and annoyanccs of
! hundred different sorts.
They went further. They said that mu
| inequalities themselves are largely TO blame
| for putting Shnmcfully mderpaid men in
| places where there are many opportunities
| to graft or cxtort money from firms or indi-
vidunIs who may happen 10 come within the
| scope Of their authority
| There is much truth in that remark And
again the responsibility for conspicuous and
frequent abuses Of political bower is put
! haily where it beOngS--upon the shoulders
| of voters and taxpayers who refuse to give
| few minutes serious thought once or twice
! year 70 assure for their community some &.
| thing like intelligent or scientific admins.
| tTation.
1t is interesting 10 mediate for a moment
on all this nt time when there is n CRYING
| ont everywhere by those who demand TINT
Government be given back into the hands
| of the people. Government was in thp
hands OF IN" people, and they flung it aside
INTO IN" hands Of professional spOilsmen
Ihe people have only 10 reach out and take