RULE BY BOSSES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22720, 5 November 1935, Page 13

RULE BY BOSSES

POLITICS IN AMERICA LIGHT ON THE SYSTEM Many people in Great Britain talk about graft in American politics, and they are apt to adopt a superior attitude (says a writer in an English paper). It should be remembered, of course, that the people are different in outlook; the cosmopolitan character of the populations in some of the big cities accounts for this, and above all, it must not be forgottten that the system is the growth of years, and that the politicians who apparently rule make it their business profession just as other people are lawyers and merchants. In “Boss Rule,” Mr J. T. Salter, m his first chapter deals with what he terms “ The Division Leader ” of a typical American city, and he says: — “I do not- know exactly how many fish there are in the sea, but we all know that the number is legion. I also imagine that not only the number of fish, but also the kinds and characteristics and colours of the creatures of the deep are myriad. However, in spite of the infinite variety, all have one function in common —they survive because they can «Wim. \

“A similar statement can be made about politicians. There are preachers, gamblers, barbers, undertakers, high school teachers, professors, elevator boys, university men, illiterates, gentlemen, and thugs in urban politics, but regardless of the diversity of the training, character, and ability of these individuals, they all have one function in common —they serve their people.” FINANCIAL BENEFIT.

But although they render service to the voters these professional politicians also serve themselves and their friends ae the following statement proves: “ There are more ways, however, of deriving financial benefit from one’s activity in politics than by merely being connected with the public pay roll. For example, in the M. Ward, all the ward committeemen except three have jobs in City Hall. “ One of these three I shall call Snaae Gleason; he has a part interest in a brick company, and, through the influence and help of his ward leader, he has sold the city and the School Board mam bricks. The second, M. M., owns a cigar store, and manages it as well; he has been a committeeman for more than 30 years, and has not asked for a job. Recently, however, his son was given a pleas ant position in the City Hall annex, at £IOOO a year.

“ The third, Henry Bottom, is an attorney; I quote his words as .to what politics mean to him. ‘I have-received eight masterships (a mastership pays £2O for a few hours’ work in a divorce proceedings! since the first of the year, but I have had only one from Angie (the ward leader). I got the rest through judges that I know myself. NOT WANTED. “'I do not want Augie’s masterships. I am making between £SOO and £IOOO a year, and I can stand on my own feet. The organisation is not feeding me; besides, when I have a case with a £2OO fee, I want to he able to go to Augie and say: “See here, I want you to speak to this judge for me,” and Augie will do that, and I will be able to put my man on probation. You see, this is worth a lot more to nm than £2O. “ ‘ Not long ago Augie asked me if_ I wanted a couple of masterships. I said. “No, there are too many lawyers who need it that are on your necK —give it to them.” He said, “That is very nice of you, Henry.’” . . . “A prominent division leader told me how he once used the majesty of the law to please some of his people. > Some of his voters came to him complaining that coloured people had moved next door to them. The leader promised to do what he could for them. “He first went to the home _of the coloured people and asked them kindly to move out. They naturally resented this, and refused to move. Then the division leader resorted to other means. He went to City Hall and reported his case to a city employee. In a few days an inspector for the bureau of health called. MOVED OUT. “After going through the house he told the people that a number of improvements would have to be made on the_ property because it was in an insanitary condition. The improvements he suggested would cost several thousand dollars. But this was not all—for later in the day a representative from the electrical bureau called to examine the house wires. After inspecting the house he, too, told the coloured folks that such and such would have to be done. “ The coloured people now began _to realise that they could not outdo the division leader, and within a week’s time they vacated the premises. The division leader told me that he had not yet finished with these people, when they left, for had they remained, the assessments on the property would have been raised, and other hardships would have been inflicted upon them. It was not his will to be harsh with the coloured family, but he had to take care of his votes before the next election.”