364 WALL STREET AND THE WILDS 



my assets and prepare to continue my work after 

 the storm had blown over. How silly it all 

 sounds now that I have learned that a Tammany 

 court is like a beast of the jungle in its protection 

 of any business interest that is thrown upon its 

 mercy. I consented to make the assignment 

 which I didn't believe in then and which I have 

 ever since regarded as a device of the devil and 

 other lawyers. 



The great crash came and I held receptions in 

 my late office which creditors attended, bringing 

 their counsel with them, for the law having been 

 appealed to, each creditor feared being placed at 

 a disadvantage unless he had his lawyer with him. 

 Yet despite the obstructive advice of lawyers, 

 the offers of creditors were so kindly and their 

 suggestions so wise that it looked for a time as if 

 by unanimous consent a settlement might be 

 reached, but the lawyers soon made that impos- 

 sible and a Tammany man who represented a 

 client with a large but inequitable claim found a 

 flaw in the assignment and without notice or 



