olitician of the better type, and a public contractor. Peter, who had
been studying some reports of a British Royal Commission on the same
subject, looked grave, thinking that what the trained men in England had
failed in doing, he could hardly hope to accomplish with such
ill-assorted instruments. The papers were rather down on the lists. "The
appointments have destroyed any chance of possible benefit," was their
general conclusion, and Peter feared they were right.

Costell laughed when Peter spoke of the commissions. "If you want Catlin
to do anything well, you've got to stand over him till it's done. I
wanted you on both commissions, so that you could see how useless they
all are, and not blame us politicians for failing in our duty. Green
promises to get you appointed Secretary of the Food Commission, which is
the next best thing, and will give you a good salary for a time."

The Tenement Commission met with little delay, and Peter had a chance to
examine its motley members. The big landlord was a great swell, who had
political ambitions, but was too exclusive, and too much of a dilettante
to be a real force. Peter took a prejudice against him before meeting
him, for he knew just how his election to the Assembly had been
obtained--even the size of the check--and Peter thought buying an
election was not a very creditable business. He did not like what he
knew of the labor agitator, for such of the latter's utterances and
opinions as he had read seemed to be the cheapest kind of demagogism.
The politician he had met and liked. Of the contractor he knew nothing.

The Commission organized by electing the politician as chairman. Then
the naming of a secretary was discussed, each member but Peter having a
candidate. Much to Peter's surprise, the landlord, Mr. Pell, named Ray
Rivington.

"I thought he was studying law?" Peter said.

"He is," said Pell. "But he can easily arrange to get off for the few
hours we shall meet a week, and the five dollars a day will be a very
nice addition to his income. Do you know him?"

"We were in college together. I thought he was rich."

"No. He's of good family, but the Rivingtons are growing poorer every
year. They try to live on their traditions, and traditions don't pay
grocers. I hope you'll help him. He's a very decent fellow."

"I shall vote for him," replied Peter, marvelling that he should be able
to give a lift to the man who, in the Harvard days, had seemed so
thoroughl