Part 20 (2/2)

But to shi+rley Wells, the one big change from old-time conditions was in the liquor business The saloons that flourished in the days before his enlist Of the seven places where liquor was sold only one maintained a resemblance to former conditions Dinty O'Neal's place, across the tracks, appeared about as disreputable as it was in forly insisted that Dinty's ho the city famous

Two of the uptown places continued to operate a few pool tables and sell soft drinks One room, for coo shi+rley was later to learn that young Anzio, the new bank e coave little attention to the affairs at the bank Carson see to share the responsibilities of a business that was severely affected by the growing depression As a youngster shi+rley knew much of the details of the business but he realized that he had no present-day knowledge of credits and loans Hethat he , shi+rley secured desk-room in the elaborate offices of Fred Townsend, a personal friend and a leading lawyer in the community Here he acted as a receiver in several co evidence This eave opportunity to note the trend in community affairs

Meanwhile, Carson found a custo Coe,” he explained, ”and they are the only concern on our books that has a growing account” shi+rley moved into town to an apart coht shi+pping was a principal activity Local ”night hawks”

were to learn that coal and corn co loads, and the finished product went to Chicago Local distributors were supplied only from that central city

As is usually the case, revulsion follows negligence Now sober-minded but financially distressed citizens would correct the prevailing evil

The eighteenth amend to undo what had been done

Locally, Reverend Ja of ministers and church officials to discuss the probable loss of the amendment that was to have been the cure for liquor evils The call to thewas announced in the local newspapers

shi+rley Wells had not been specifically invited to the conference He was curious to learn, however, if there was a cure for this festering ailment that afflicted the nation other than the repeal of the amendathering in the church parlors to listen to the protests and complaints And there was little else in the several talks--protests against the lack of law enforce their sphere of activity to include adjacent cities and suburbs in the distribution and sale of raw alcohol and needled beer In these discussions no speaker offered a solution to the proble the several talks he recognized shi+rley Wells and in an elaborate introduction, reciting his war service, he asked shi+rley if he had a solution for the proble information,” said shi+rley quietly ”I surely norant one present I wasn't in the States when the amendment was passed and have had limited opportunity to note the effects It is apparent, however, that there is so, with the whole population--both the cri with the better ele citizen that planned and urged and voted for the eighteenth a and as effective And now, they would nullify our past labors”

”And then, what did you do?” demanded shi+rley as he rose to his feet to euratively, folded fat hands across pudgy stomachs and left the enforcement of your edict to the officers ere friends of the bootleggers Your failure to act causes this repeal”

”Is it your idea that the better element of a community must quit their business to take up the matter of law enforcement?” the chairman asked in scornful tones

”It's my idea,” retorted shi+rley as he advanced froroup, ”it's my idea that anyone who launches a new, untried craft in unexplored waters had better stay at the helement of the boat to those who deride the plan It wouldn't have taken anized an enforcement committee to assist the policeman as a friendly acquaintance of the forer Policemen are selected because of their acquaintance with the underworld and they are very human Void of any contacts with the better element of the community, they allow their friends to run wild in lawlessness until the affair gets beyond control That's what happened in Bransford; that's what happened everywhere Lawless greed flourishes in the atence

”But I didn't come here to quarrel with the better element of my home town,” concluded shi+rley as he reached for his hat ”I had hoped that you had a solution, a plan, toto repeal the amendment It seems certain that it will be repealed and within the next year or two, the old saloon will be functioning as in forovernment on the product sold, it will pay a tax to the city, it will furnish a bond to operate legally and at stated hours, and its return will be welco back of it all will overdo, as always, and the amendment will be re-enacted This tianized enforcereedy”

19

The Bransford Morning Herald contained no account of theat the Fourth Avenue Church News of the rebuff as administered to the better ele circulation But the incident was not wholly suppressed Judge Parker, who had been present, chuckled the incident to a few friends; Holstroff, the merchant, recited the details to a few customers as they discussed the probable outco held; and Joe Dansford, the church janitor, told the incident of how the eneral roithout the for a correct account, the general public of the little city elaborated the story to include fisticuffs and sords

Carson Wells, of the Wells National, heard the story and wascusto nu limited to bare necessities, and only one concern in the coers of the Model Trucking Company, realized that in the event of the repeal of the amendment, ruin was inevitable It was Carson's problem to stop such publicity shi+rley must be silenced He was found at the public library and was invited to come to the bank after three o'clock

”That vindictive speech youvery costly,” said Carson as the brothers seated themselves in the little consultation room in the rear of the bank ”It affects your own personal affairs, and seeks to wreck the only concern in the city that is functioning andmoney Your interest in this bank de”

”Why, I didn't know I had an interest in this bank,” said shi+rley in even tones ”In the years past, I have been shunted around fro on the few small fees received from receivershi+ps and bankruptcy petitions And I didn't think that I had banking interests

I certainly aence, but hereafter the matter will have my attention”

Carson was nonplused at both the answer and attitude He had planned his re prepared lines