Chapter 25:
Many people associate the depression with the Market Crash of 1928. It was certainly a symptom. But loss of capital was just the first major domino to fall. Rising prices for goods. Fear of an uncertain future. Some people could no longer afford to spend, and those with money chose to spend much less. As a result, stores were shuttered, factories laid off, and productive plants like the Bedford Falls Tool and Machine works closed their doors.
And the stress was more than just financial. Health also suffered. The stress of depression-era living was wearing on Peter Bailey, both personally and professionally. And it didn't help him to have Henry Potter constantly pestering him. The pressure eventually overtook Peter Bailey. August's and Thomas' "Leapin' Looey" had been the everyman champion they had been desperate to find. At his funeral, he was remembered fondly by all. Morbidly, August wondered if Peter hadn't been spared the indignities to come: the continued wearing away of common decency as a community of caring splintered quickly into a loose collection of self-absorbed individuals, each focused on their own survival.
The crash had many people turning to government and asking "What do we do now?" In our nation's capital, Congressman Kraft huddled with his peers and asked the same question. To his dismay the reply was the question, "Do we need to do anything at all?"
The fruit borne from the "wait and see" attitude of the congress was a steadily increasing flow of telegrams from voter's back home seeking relief. As the Western Union molehills grew into mountains, so too were legislator's fears growing that the time for "wait and see" had passed.
For August, his sense of emergency peaks in February 1932. The daily requests from citizens in his district pleading for work or financial assistance kept the issue at the top of his agenda. His fellow representatives agree it is time to act, but are unable to find or access funding for needed projects. August, in particular, has reached a boiling point. Frustration results, as he cannot locate resources from national or local government. To his colleagues, to the press, to anyone who would listen he would cry out, "Where are all our resources?!"
While August works to find an answer to the national crisis, an answer to a local, very personal matter materializes.
His assistant walks into the office and waits for August to finish a phone call, "That is true! Well, I very much look forward to the opportunity. I enjoy speaking with our youth! That is correct. I'll arrive at your school auditorium at about 2:30 pm. Thank you, Mrs. Clovis! Goodbye!"
August's assistant says, "Packed schedule today. Any questions about the agenda?"
"Thanks Chuck, no. I'll be on my way to the floor in ten minutes."
Chuck turns to leave, then wheels back toward the legislator, "Oh, I almost forgot. This just arrived."
The assistant extracts a large, official-looking envelope from under his arm, hands it to August, and clarifies the source, "It's from the War Department."
As Chuck exits, August opens the envelope to find a single document. It is a form letter from the Records Division of the War Department. The letter informs August that the information he requested more than a year ago has been located, "Our records show that Steven Granville enlisted on June 8, 1918. Proof of age documentation was not provided. However, a verification signature was provided by a Mr. Henry F. Potter."
August's searing anger over Henry's treachery only compounded his frustration over stalled efforts to revitalize the nation's economy. And yet, August felt that somehow these two concerns were closely related. The congressman reasoned, "Money invigorates economy. Henry has money. And, I have Henry in the palm of my hand."
August's understands his scheme is illegal. The risk to a public figure and his family is magnified. Yet a solution, borne of desperation and revenge was at hand. At that moment of truth, August decides that the time of inaction has ended. Reaching for the phone, he dials a number he knows by heart and after a moment August speaks, "Henry Potter, this is your conscience calling."