Page:The cry for justice - an anthology of the literature of social protest. - (IA cryforjusticea00sinc).pdf/444

 Preach about the other man, Preacher! The man we all can see! The man of oaths, the man of strife, The man who drinks and beats his wife, Who helps his mates to fret and shirk When all they need is to keep at work— Preach about the other man, Preacher! Not about me!

The Reluctant Briber

(The president of a powerful public service corporation has become disturbed in conscience, and calls in a student of social conditions)

"You're unhappy because you are bribing and corrupting, and you ask my advice. Why? I'm no ethical teacher. You're a churchman. Why don't you go to your pastor?"

"Pastor!" he exclaimed, and he laughed. The scorn of that laugh! "Pastor!"

He turned and walked away, to get control, no doubt. I kept after him.

"Yes," I insisted, "you should go to the head of your church for moral counsel, and—for economic advice you should go to the professor of economics in"

He stopped me, facing about. "Professor!" he echoed, and he didn't reflect my tone.

I was serious. I wanted to get something from him. I wanted to know why our practical men do not go to these professions for help, as they go to lawyers and