 Cavalcade of America, starring Oscar Hamulka in Honest John Gominsky and the 13 Uncle Sam, presented by the DuPont Company, makers of better things for better living through chemistry. Good evening. This is Bill Hamilton. Among DuPont's better things for better living through chemistry is neoprene rubber. Roofers, the men who repair and put new roofs on houses, spend as much as $100 a year on shoes. Finally, one alert manufacturer designed a shoe that really saves money for roofers. The upper is made of reinforced cowhide, the crepe soles are of DuPont neoprene. The reason is, neoprene wears and wears, and of course, neoprene resists hot tar and asphalt too. Structural steel workers and men who install television aerials will also find these shoes ideal for safety, comfort and economy. Those of you who buy work shoes will benefit by looking for shoes that have soles made of neoprene. One of the DuPont Company's better things for better living through chemistry. With Oscar Hamulka as Honest John Gominsky, here is Honest John Gominsky and the 13 Uncle Sam. Whenever the boys at party headquarters sit around yapping and passing the word, sooner or later the talk gets around to Honest John Gominsky and the 13 Uncle Sam. There's a lot of versions of the story, but mine's the right one. And seeing I was Honest John's private secretary and personal bodyguard, I ought to know the facts. I guess you know who Honest John was. Our party boss and the slickest politician this town ever saw. Boy, we had it good, didn't we? John, will you do me a favor? I want the contract to build that new school. Can you fix it for me? Sure. What kind of cement do you use? Oh, the best. It's no good. My brother-in-law says best. Oh, well, in that case, I'll use this. Sure. Now, will you fix it? What kind of compensation insurance do you carry? I'll have to look that up. Whatever you've got, my son can sell you something better. A little more expensive, maybe, but better. Oh, now wait a minute, John. Don't hold me up on everything. If you don't want the contract, drop dead. I've got an uncle who's an undertaker. Yes, sir. We sure had it good. Then Gominsky gets tangled up with these here 13 Uncle Sam's. And that's the end of them. Kapoot. Finished. Oh, I get ball every time I think of it. About a year and a half ago, it started just before our local election. I like that shot, Stevie. Well, boss. Now I think I'm playing nine ball in side pocket. John. John. It's his honor the mayor. John, have you seen today's paper? I'm playing the nine ball in side pocket. Listen to this speech that was made last night at the Betterment League. Yeah, I made it. Listen, John, Boss Gominsky's political machine is the blight on and the menace to good government in this city and must be destroyed. For 20 years now, they are going to destroy honest John. Fat chance, huh, Stevie? Fat chance is right for us. Read rest of speech, holler. I need laugh. Climb, clad, you think it's funny, John. Well, as long as they talk about me, I don't care what they say. Read. Well, here's something about you. Honest John is the living replica of the... Wait a minute. Replicar. Is that dirty? It means you're like somebody else. Like who? Boss Tweed, he says. Is that the worst he can think of to say? I've been called peak with my feet in trust. Octopus who squeezes public. And the leper who cannot change his stripes. I wish you'd be serious about this, John. We've been attacked more this year than I can ever remember. Would you care what they say about me? You are the one who's running for office. Well, they're saying plenty about me, too. And I don't like it. Every election they say plenty. They murder us, they wipe us out, they cut us in little pieces like hamburger. Only thing wrong, we win. You see me? Yeah, we win this time, too, boss. Steve, you say we win too hard. See? Now I banked number two ball in corner pockets. Stop playing a minute, John Tweed. I don't think you realize how much opposition the reform party is lining up against us. They've got most of the business people, they've got the veterans league, the church people, and what worries me most of all, they've got the union. Union people get one vote like everybody else. The veterans are against us, too. It looks like we weren't patriotic or something. Yeah, you're patriotic. They've been saying that about us a lot, you know. All right, all right. Look, Mr. Holler, if you worry, because nobody thinks you've got patriotism, I fix it. Stevie. Yeah, boss? They're going to make Mr. Holler a patriot. I want you to dig up 12 very tall skinny guys who want to make a buck. Take those 12 guys to someplace where they're in costumes. Then 12 Uncle Sam suits. Got it, Stevie? Uh, dress these skinny joes like Uncle Sam. Is that what you mean, boss? Yeah, that's what I mean, Stevie. Then on each Uncle Sam put the sign saying, I'm voting for J.J. Holler. Then turn them loose. I got you, boss. You're not serious about this stunt, are you? You're going to make me a patriot. I think it's well publicity, Mr. Holler. Rather obvious, isn't it? Well, that's what's good about it. Go ahead, Stevie. I want them red, white, and blue bumps on the street by tomorrow morning. Okay, boss. And, Stevie, remember, no drunk. I don't think people like to see Uncle Sam plastered. Okay, boss. It's going to take more than gags like this to swing this election, John. Do you realize how many of our old supporters are turning against us? You should be an old woman and nit-miss. Look at that shot. John, you know who made that shot. You know who made that speech I was just reading to you? What difference? It'd make a difference to me if I had done as much for anybody as you have for Joe Larkin, and he made that kind of a speech about me. Joe Larkin made that speech? Joe Larkin? It's right here in the paper. Joe, do that to me. It sure surprised me. I thought he was practically engaged to your daughter. After all I'd done for Joe, I'd let him money for college, though he could be a lawyer. I hope he paid you back. Because the way he talks here, you'll never get it. Joe paid back. But I cannot believe he would do this. Hey, boss, I forgot to ask you something. Now what? You want whiskers on them, Uncle Sam's? So I get me 12 Uncle Sam's and I get them out for it. All right, Sam number 10 will cover Main Street between 1st and 4th. Sam number 11, the post office, and Uncle Sam 12 takes a railroad station. Got it? Now is there any questions? Yeah. When do we get the dough? When you turn in the suits, providing they're intact. No hockin' them toppers. Anything else? Yeah. How do I keep these pants up? They're too big. Great. All we need is for you to lose your jeans in the middle of Monument Square. Here, take my belt and now get moving. And remember, no drinking, no talking dirty, and especially no smoking. There's deposits on them beads. Hit the road. Then later I drive on as John home for supper, like I do every night. No matter how busy John is, supper's one time he always goes home so he can have it with his daughter. What's wrong with your appetite tonight, Papa? Mary, you remember when you was little girl, how I tell you no matter what I do, I do it because it's best for you? I remember, Papa. Well, I've got to do something now that is so best for you. You're probably gonna hate me. What's wrong, Papa? I found out something about Joe Larkin today. Oh. He's no good. I don't want you to ever see him again, Mary. Papa, I haven't seen Joe for almost a month now. You mean he double-crossed you, too? He didn't double-cross me. We quarreled. What about? What'd he do? Nothing, Papa. It doesn't matter. If he was bad to you, I'd kill him. Well, he wasn't bad, Papa. It was just... What, Mary? It was about you, Papa. How do you mean? Joe likes you very much. Yeah, he says crazy about me. Personally, I mean. But he doesn't agree with the things you do in politics. When he said he was coming out against you and Mr. Holler, I told him I'd never see him again if he did. Mary, it's good you stick up for Papa, but I do not want you to be unhappy. It wasn't just his coming out against you. It was the reasons he did it for. You mean I'm a replica, huh? I'm just furious with him for that speech he made yesterday. Well, we won't lose any more sleep over Joe Larkin, Mary. Huh? He's a punk and we forget about him. All right, Papa. Now eat then. You eat. Well, okay. We both eat. Hey, boss, guess who's out there? Joe Larkin. What? Joe Larkin? He's got some nerve to want to see me. He wants to see Mary. He ain't gonna. He's gonna see me long enough for me to throw him out pestering them. Maybe you better let me see him, Papa. You two might find. Might find? Of course we find. You stay there with Stevie. Please don't get in any trouble, Papa. Please, Papa. Hello, Mr. Cominsky. Get out of my house. I'd like to see Mary if I could. Get out of my house. I'm sorry, you feel this way, Mr. Cominsky. Now, how else would I feel? You dirty, double-crossing replica. Well, I didn't enjoy making that speech. Now, why you make them? How could you do a thing like that to me? Who's been like father to you, almost? Listen, Mr. Cominsky, whatever you've done for me personally, and it's been plenty, doesn't count for a thing alongside the damage that greedy machine yours has done to this town. We don't think it's good for this town. You're running for the benefit of your machine. So what? If the other side means that I'm the town for them, sir. We're running for the people, all the people. Add that people to it. Mr. Cominsky, I remember a composition we had to write when I was in grammar school. A great American had had to be called. I can still remember the first line of mine. Alderman John Cominsky is a great American because he loves people. It was all about what a great public servant you were because you thought more of the public good than you did of your own. It was pretty flowery stuff, but I meant every word of it. Well, who's changed since I was 14, Mr. Cominsky? Have I or have you? I can't believe that in those days, you'd have backed a crook like Holler. Well, that can't look Holler's like as long as he can get your legs. This is one time he won't, Mr. Cominsky. I don't care how many Uncle Sam you have running around advertising him. You trick, huh? It made me kind of sick. Using old Mr. Whiskers as a sandwich man for Hollers like having Santa Claus shill for a coach dancer. As of why. So maybe I'm sentimental, but I don't think patriotism is anything to kid. Not these days. That's why I'm... not on your side anymore, Mr. Cominsky. You're a swell guy personally, but you're a pretty rotten citizen. You think. And you know I'm right. You and your outfit have taken this town over lock, stock, and barrel. There's politics, ain't there? That's my kind. And I don't see how it can be yours, Mr. Cominsky. Not after what this country has done for you. Nobody did nothing for me. I didn't do myself. I came from a whole country without panic. Now I'm a successful man. Who's for the country? No, mine. That's your opinion. It's my opinion. I don't see you talk too much. You're not my friend no more. Get out, go. Okay, Mr. Cominsky. I'll see you at the polls. We beat your brains out, the elections. I wouldn't be too sure. And you better tell your relatives to be looking for new jobs, including your Uncle Sam. What happens next? I ain't vouching for personally because I wasn't there. But honest John says it happened. And if honest John says it happened, I guess it did happen. Because I never knew John to tell no lies. Except during a campaign, and that don't count. So, either it happened or the boss had himself a mighty peculiar dream. You tell me. Anyway, later that same night, the boss and me are talking about in his living room playing pinnacle. I don't think I play no more tonight, Stevie. Okay, boss. Time to hit that hay anyhow. Punk. Me? I'm still thinking of that punk Joe. Want me to mush him up a bit for your boss? I don't need you to mush nobody up for me. Well, they're trying to be friendly. Well, I care with a punk kid like that think about me. Well, if you don't want me no more, I think I'll lock the door and go to bed. Good night, boy. What? I said good night. Well, don't stand there talking my head off go to bed. I'm on my way. So, I lock the joint up and go to bed. I read about three pages out of a comic book and before you can say, Dick Tracy, I'm asleep. Meantime, honest John is sitting downstairs staring at the fire. Maybe he does his off and maybe he don't. Anyway, the next thing the boss knows, there's somebody in the room with him. Hello, John. Who are you? Don't you know me, John? I thought everybody knew this rig of mine and these chin whiskers. I'm Uncle Sam. Oh, you're one of the guys, Stevie Hire. You look pretty good, too. That's well outfit. Thank you, John. Would you come here for what's the matter, need dough? Seems to me I always need dough. How much you want? Oh, around $42 billion this year. What? Didn't Steve tell you guys not to drink? I ain't been drinking tonight, John. But they are not $42 billion. Things have gone up, John. Living's mighty high. Look, Uncle, you go home and have a nice night. You'll feel better in the morning. Well, why don't you go home, my sis? Because I want to talk to you, John. How do you get in here, anyhow? Walk through the door? I told Stevie to lock it. He did? He didn't, but I'm gonna lock it after you. You're leaving. I'll kill Stevie for this. For getting the locked door and crazy nuts. Just walk in on me. I told you it was locked. But then how you get in? I told you. Through the door. But how if it's locked? Through the door, I said. Not the door way. What do you mean? I'll show you. Face the door. Now we take one step. And we're through the door. That's what you call American know-how, John. Who are you, anyhow? I told you. I'm your Uncle Sam, nephew. What do we want? Just come with me. You're listening to Oscar Hamulca in Honest John Giminski and the 13 Uncle Sam, an original radio play on the cavalcade of America presented by the Defant Company, makers of better things for better living through chemistry. Now mind you, I ain't saying that tall skinny guy that appeared in Giminski's house was Uncle Sam. It was Boss Giminski seeing him, not me. Or maybe he dreamed him. All I know it certainly was no one of them 12 seedy-looking Sam's I hired. If any of them could walk through a locked door like this fella, they wouldn't be working for me for no five bucks a day. They'd be walking in and out of bank doors all night long. Anyway, Honest John and this strange guy are standing together in the dark night. Look, it's snowing. I feel that wind. I ain't felt nothing like this since I was a kid in the old country. You remember that, do you? I never forget it. I didn't have coats. I was never warm or winter long. I feel just like that now. Like I never get warm. You want to go in this house over here? Where are we? I've seen this creature in place. Not much of a neighborhood is it, John? Not fit for pigs. Pigs don't live here. Just people. Wait a minute. I've been in this place before. I know that house there. There's a lamp on inside. Late for folks to be awake. Look. Look in the window. There's whole family working. They're weaving. Whole family weaving. Even children. Look, the little point corner can hardly stay awake, but he weaving too. How do you know they're weaving, John? You think I don't know weaving when I see it? When I was a kid I had to stay up night after night and weave and weave. Whole family had to work all day at night or be stars. It was just like that family in there. I was no bigger than that poor little boy with... Do you recognize that boy, John? God in heaven is mean. There is my brothers and sisters. And there is mama and papa. Look how tired they look. I should think so. Fourteen hours a day, seven days a week. Weaving and weaving. But no, my good, money. How's my mama and papa? Come, come, come on in. What house, John? But it's dope. What's right here? That house went a long time ago, John. It was shelled to pieces in the First World War. But you ought to remember it now, men. Come on, John. He's a picket. People ever have to live like that. How did you ever improve things? We come to America naturally. Oh, and that was better. Sure. In America, we had John who'd try any kind of work we wanted. He didn't have to be weavers always like in old country. You aren't the same. You ought to know that. Did your whole family come over? Oh, but my oldest brother, he makes speech in public square against government and they put him in jail. He died there. Where did music come from? From that church there, I guess. Oh, there. I seen that before, too. But not in old country. That is St. Stanislaus church downtown. Let's go in. He's waiting, going on. Nice looking young couple, ain't they? I've seen them before, too. Hey, guess who that is getting married? Who? Me. John Zaminski. Look, my wife. You were lucky to get a girl like that, John. Oh, lucky and half. You know, her people have been long time in this country. And when I know her first, I think maybe she not like me because I'm foreigner. I tell her that one day and she'll laugh. She says everybody is just as good as everybody else in America. And I, all of a sudden, realize how wonderful it is to be free and equal to everybody else. Only I never be as good as she is. That's one place constitution is wrong. Oh, look how beautiful she is. No, she's gone. Would you have married the same kind of girl if you'd stayed in the whole country? You're crazy. She was professor's daughter. How were you fixed for money when you married? I had no money, but I had jobs. And all the time I'm going to free school at night. And after a long time, I get to be lawyer. Then I go into politics. How do you happen to do that? Was my wife sad yet? See, she thought I could do a lot of good for people. Did you, John? I guess maybe, at first, then she died and I get kind of mixed up what is good for people and what isn't. Finally, I stop worrying about anything except what is good for me. Do you think you have done what's good for yourself, John? Listen, Mr. Uncle Sam, I run this town like I owned it. How could I do better than that? Hey, where this big barbed wire fence comes from? I don't remember this. You don't remember this because it hasn't happened yet. You mean someday this fence gonna be here? That depends on you, John. Where are all those people marching with the pigs and shovels? They're going to do even harder work than weaving. They're going to dig graves. What is this place? It's a concentration camp. Where are we? In America? In your hometown? Not Sanctuary Town. We don't have no concentration camps here. Wherever the rights of the people are forgotten, wherever the good of the many is sacrificed for the benefit of the few, wherever the law is twisted or bought or made corrupt for the sake of personal or party power, democracy can die and the dictator and the secret police and the concentration camp can come. Remember this nephew. Look, there's old man there beating him to death. There's something about him they don't approve of, Sam. His church or his race or the way he thinks. Look closer. See who that old man is. It's me. God give us help, it's me. Remember, John, your friend is only the sum of the mean. They're killing me, they're killing me. Uncle Sam, where are you? I'm home. Mary, Phoebe, everybody, come down here, everybody. What's the matter, boy? What happened, Parker? I'm telephone. Hello, Joe. Joe Larkin. Say, how would you, you reform party like a new campaign manager? What, a good one? Yes, there is, me. Honest John Gominski himself. That was that. He was ruined, done for. You see what I mean? Dark raven nut. And here was the greatest politician I ever saw. It was tragic. Especially when Gominski's reform party beat us so bad. Bill Hamilton speaking for DePont. This spring, Americans in more than 2,000 communities will join in local clean-up, paid-up, fix-up campaign. Since 1912, many American cities and towns have proofed themselves up in this way. For example, Fort Collins, Colorado, which has a population of 12,500, made more than 10,000 improvements last spring. More than 840,000 improvements to buildings and property were made in Louisville, Kentucky. And across the nation, millions of improvements will be made this year. Vacant lots will be cleared, allies will be tidied up, and shabby buildings will be repainted. These campaigns are a wonderful example of democracy at work. Officials, civic leaders, businessmen, homeowners, schoolchildren, everyone pitches in to help get the job done. If you've ever worked in a clean-up, paid-up, fixed-up campaign in your own community, you know the feeling of accomplishment and pride it gives. One retired businessman, heading the campaign in his town, phrased it this way. He said, this city has been good to me. It gave me my education, my livelihood, and I want the coming generations to have an equal chance, a democratic chance, in a city that is clean and tidy, uncle. A clean town is a more pleasant, more attractive town. It is pleasanter for those who live in it, more attractive for those who visit it, and it's bound to be a healthier town. Because of the part they play in America's annual clean-up, paid-up, fixed-up campaign, is another reason why DuPont 40 Outside White House paint, Dulux Trim and Charles Finishes, and other DuPont paint products, merit their name as DuPont, better things for better living, through chemistry. Tonight's original cavalcade play, Honest John Geminsky and the 13 Uncle Sam's, was written by Frank Gabrielson. In the cast with Oscar Hamoka, you heard John Gibson as Stevie and Bill Adams as Uncle Sam. Music was composed by Arden Cornwell, conducted by Donald Bryan. This is Ted Pearson speaking. Cavalcade will present next week the lovely star of stage and screen, Dorothy McGuire and Lady on a Mission, an exciting drama of suspense set in Paris during the French Revolution. Be sure to listen. Cavalcade of America is directed by John Zoller, comes to you each week from the stage of the Longacre Theatre on Broadway in New York, and is presented by the DuPont Company of Wilming Condelewares. This is NBC, the national broadcasting company.