Evening star., 1938-03-13

AN AOHNbN . AIHl0 "cTe
filled with freshly pressed
suits in crisp paper bEss ~
49, he entered the lobby of the
Sheridan Apartments. The efacient
young woman at the switchboard beck
oned to him Is he stopped there on his
way to the elevator.
Hello. Danny" said the SWITCH
board operator. II have some more
calls for you."
She consulted . pad, tore of q
sheet and handed 1t to Dan He
shifted the load of suits to one arm,
glanced at the sheet Of paper and
showed it into his pocket.
Thanks, Miss Horst" he said. I'll
get them as soon as deliver these"
For the next 10 minutes Dan was
busy tapping on apartment doors, de-
livering suits, collecting money and
making change. Then he consulted
the slip In his pocket and made half
dozen more stops, picking up suits to
be cleaned, pressed or repaired. His
face wore an exultant grin as he
reached the street once more.
Gee. wish they'd build some more
big apartment houses around here"
he said to himself. This one has
certainly helped our business"
At the corner he waited for the
trafic light to change, then crossed the
boulevard and turned down a side
street. Immediately the character of
the neighborhood changed, as it 50
often does In large cities. Instead of
the cleaning stone of the apartment
building. he now saw dingy little stores
In old. dilapidated quarters. Three
doors from the corner he turned into
= narrow shop whose window bore the
words, John Roden. Tailor. Cleaning
Pressing, Repairs and Alterations"
Mr.. Roden was standing behind the
counter Is Dan entered. He was a
short man. partly bald. with face that
usually wore 4 kindly expression. But
just now his face was white, and his
eyes smouldeered with anger. When
Dan held up the suits he had brought
back he showed no sign of pleasure
and Dan stared At him curiously
Is something wrong, Mr.. Roden?"
he inquired.
"wrone7 lies, there's plenty wrong.
Just when business is improving. and
things look good. something always
happens. I never knew it to fail
But what is it?" Dan deposited
the suits on the counter and watched
Mr.. Roden stamp out from behind 1t
on his crippled leg.
odd Silver, who owns the building,
was just in here. He says I've got to
move at the end of next month"
But I thought you had lease that
ran for two more years." Dan replied.
That's why he wasn't able to raise
your rent when he tried to do it last
month, wasn't it?"
Sure" retorted Mr.. Roden. Sure
I have . lease. was smart, signing
up for i've years three years ago. when
rents were low. But this place is worth
more money. now that the big apart
ment building IL on the corner, and
Old Man Silver knows it. So he tells
me have to move. Why? Because
he says the building inspectors have
pronounced this building unsafe, and
ordered 1t vacated"
While Dan stared. Mr.. Roden
pounded the counter in helpless rage.
He can't fool me. the old crook! He's
got . lot Of political pull, and that's
how he got the building pronounced
unsafe. Then when he gets me out of
here, along with the other tenants, who
have short leases. he'll spend a few
dollars on repairs, and then get the
building approved again. And after
that. he'll rent 1t at lot higher rates"
But you're not going to let him
get away with that, are you?" Dan ex-
claimed Indignantly. Isn't there
something you can do about it?"
Mr.. Roden spread his hands hope
lessly. What can I do?" he demanded.
I'm only . poor tailor. Nobody would
listen to me. I told him I wouldn't
move. and that he'd have to pay me
plenty for getting me to tear up my
lease. but was just blufing. He'll get
me out OF here within 30 days, and
you can bet on that! And where will
be able to find another shop around
here. at = rent I can afford to pay?"
Dan was silent. while a worried
frown creased his brow. Mr.. Roden's
words were true, and he knew that the
tailor was in a real predicament. If
he couldn't find another shop which
he could Anord to rent, he'd have to