Most of the time I was
compelled to stand idly by, unable to help. Once I eased my feelings
by telling Commissioner Parker in his own office what I thought
of him. I went in and shut the door, and then told it all to him.
Nor did I mince matters; I might not get so good a chance again.
Mr. Parker sat quite still, poking the fire. When I ceased at last,
angry and exasperated, he looked up and said calmly:--
"Well, Mr. Riis, what you tell me has at least the merit of
frankness."
You see how it was. I should never have been able to help in the Board.
Out of it, my chance came at last when it was deemed necessary to
give the adversary "a character." Mr. Roosevelt had been speaking
to the Methodist ministers, and as usual had carried all before
him. The community was getting up a temper that would shortly put
an end to the deadlock in the Police Board and set the wheels of
reform moving again. Then one day we heard that Commissioner Parker
had been invited by the Christian Endeavorers of an up-town church
to address them on "Christian Citizenship.
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