The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-02-28


Il John Dey's reply as he smiled
A. n. laird. DR.. Bob can not De
induced 10 believe that a person
4 brought I'D in an unhealthy atmos-
pher,-by that 1 mean, crime, dirt,
and disregard Of the law. can not
or will not be reformed. 1 say its
in the blood II has been proven
down through the years. I know
it,"
DR.. Laird removed the cigar from
his mouth and leveled his gray-eyed
gaze at his young friend.
But how DO you know 1t, my
boy?'
we have seen it for years in our
T factory. I have watched it. as father
f did before me. We have spent thou
sands in our plant on social service
work. Our employees are given every
/ advantage. but they come, unfor-
tunately. from the river district and
have lived there all their lives
"Why?" interrupted DR.. Laird
calmly. Because rents are cheap.
They can rent a house for $50 a
month-and $50 is a lot of money
for the majority Of them"
They work long enough to get
some money ahead to 60 on
spree. They make use of our night
schools when they feel like it, the
F recreation advantages and the
+ chance to be somebody. but what
good does it get them?
we have given them all the OPP
pOrtunity to buy small homes, COM
Portable and well built, in our little
+ village down there on low monthly
payments. and yet so per cent Of
I these homes have been turned back
TO us because the payments were
not kept up. ROgersOn gave me
these figures just today. 1 knew 1
would need some ammunition" he
grinned at his friend, DR.. Laird
with you coming to dinner"
DR.. Laird tilted his fine head
back. Go on, my boy. I'm inter-
ested"
Ramsey. one of the best foremen
We have had in our factory-when
he is sober-got a long term last
week. He was rum running nights.
Said he needed the extra money.
That" 'iGced John decisively, lis
adequate evidence that they won't
go straight. We nave tried it for
more than 20 years and it is the
same old story year after year"
of course it is, agreed Ann pref
tily. 1t was the same way with
Lettie, one OF our maids. You re-
member. mother? Some social serv-
ice worker called us and told us
about her. She was at that time
I in a home tor girls.
Mother was afraid, but finally
I took her and in spite of the fact
/ that We watched her-kept check
on her and all that-she actually
took my clothes and I am sure she
took that antique gold bracelet Of
grandmother's.
Mrs. Westmore nodded afhrma-
lively. Sure of it. I believe with
John. 1t is in the blood"
Mrs. Dey also nodded. "Of course
it is. just thu same as good breed
ing Is IN the blood
|DR. LAIRD smiled at them over
l. his cigar. You are all wrong,
good folks. And in one year I am
going to prove it. 1 have one of the
best exhibits in the city. In just
one year I shall show you"
Are they given the right chance?
Mrs. Westmore's maid was watched
/ Checked on everything She was
not trusted Ann says so herself
And as for the men in the factory
let's be candid. How many chill
dren to a family do they average?"
John Dey shrugged his shoulders
doubtfully. We'll, I just can not
say exactly. Tim Mullins has four
he was convicted last week and
am having the kids put in home.
Oscar has three, and if remember
rightly, Greuber has seven. He got
I the longest term of all. The streets
seem filed with children when !
drive through"
Then let's say they average three
to a family. 1 dare say that is con-
I sentative. happen to know what
your men get an hour. a day. We
won't go into that. You pay well
as factories go nowadays. All right!
And out of that--paymentS on q
homel Food Clothing! The care
and education of children, some
times three, sometimes sevenl Sick
ness. doctor billsl No luXuries, nc
excitement. no real happiness. Moth
ing but hard work. worry and cares
year in, year out"
They shouldn't have children,
said Mrs. WeStmore Indignantly.
They have as much right to chill