April 11, 2026 • 36 mins
Today's Adventure: Counterspy is called in to investigate a shady home developer who has
Original Radio Broadcast: May 23, 1948
Originating in New York
Starring Don McLaughlin as David Harding, Mandel Kramer as Peters
To subscribe to this podcast and, go to https://greatadventures.info/
Become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net
Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.
Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715
Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net
Give us a call at 208-991-4783
Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives
Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives
Original Radio Broadcast: May 23, 1948
Originating in New York
Starring Don McLaughlin as David Harding, Mandel Kramer as Peters
To subscribe to this podcast and, go to https://greatadventures.info/
Become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net
Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.
Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715
Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net
Give us a call at 208-991-4783
Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives
Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Welcome to the Great Adventurers of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho.
This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're
going to bring you this week's episode of Counterspy. But
first I do want to encourage you. If you're enjoying
the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software.
(00:29):
And today's program is also brought to you in part
by the financial support of our listeners. You can support
the show on a one time basis at support dot
great Detectives dot net, or become one of our ongoing
Patreon supporters for as little as two dollars per month
at Patreon dot great Detectives dot net. Well, today's episode
(00:52):
brings us to May of nineteen forty eight, and it's
worth noting what a significant gap there is in series,
as there was only one episode before this from the
post war era, and that one was a rehearsal. However,
this starts one of those really wonderful strings where we
(01:13):
actually have consecutive episodes for three weeks in a row.
This was actually the three hundred and third episode of
Counterspy the original air date May twenty third, nineteen forty eight,
and this is the Housing Racket but I like the
(01:34):
slightly less popular but better sounding the Bunco builders.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
David Hardy pound Spy presented by the makers of Old
Nick and Better Honey Candy bars. And today we're happy
to be able to repeat a special money saving offer
for all you folks who enjoy Old Nick and Better
Honey candybuyes.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
We offer a thirteen inch stainlessly slicing knife, guaranteed to
equal knivee selling it seventy five cents to one dollar.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
Sent to you for only twenty five cents in coin
with two rappers from either Old Nick or Bit of
Honey Candy Bars.
Speaker 4 (02:12):
Here's where to send your order.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Send to Old Nick Box one forty four, New York eight,
New York.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
We'll repeat this address later, so have a pencil and
paper ready to get the address correct.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
And listen later for complete details.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
Washington calling David Hooding, counter Spine Washington calling David Honding,
counter spine Parting, counter Spy calling Washington, David Harding, Cheap
(03:02):
United States counter Spies, especially appointed to investigate and combat
the enemies of our country, both at home and abroad,
and a secure for every American the rights which are
his under our Constitutionney.
Speaker 5 (03:27):
I didn't expect you to come home.
Speaker 6 (03:28):
Oh, I couldn't do any work after you called and
told me about Kathy. How is she?
Speaker 5 (03:31):
The doctor still with her?
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Andy?
Speaker 7 (03:34):
He thinks it might be pneumonia. Well, how did she
look feverish? She was whimpering when the doctor came.
Speaker 5 (03:41):
It feels so powerless.
Speaker 7 (03:42):
When they're too young, they can't tell you what hurts,
what's wrong.
Speaker 5 (03:47):
Yeah, and she'll be all right.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
Of course she will die.
Speaker 8 (03:52):
Now.
Speaker 6 (03:52):
Why don't you resper? Why you didn't sleep at all
last night?
Speaker 4 (03:55):
Need you?
Speaker 6 (03:56):
Let's not argue the point you Oh hello, hello doctor?
Speaker 2 (04:00):
How you didn't have to come home from work? I
wanted to the babies.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
How is she?
Speaker 8 (04:05):
Doctor?
Speaker 2 (04:05):
She's holding her own, mister Garum. I'd like to order
a portable oxygen tent, just as a precaution order whatever
you need. It's maybe a little expensive, Doc, it doesn't matter,
I know.
Speaker 4 (04:16):
I just wanted to keep everything straight.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Now. Is there another room in the house that we
could move her to for sure?
Speaker 7 (04:22):
Oh?
Speaker 5 (04:22):
What do you want to move her for?
Speaker 8 (04:23):
Doctor?
Speaker 2 (04:24):
Well, I'd like a place that isn't quite as damp
and drafty.
Speaker 7 (04:26):
Oh, that's the driest room we have except the kitchen.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
I see, well, we'll manage all right.
Speaker 6 (04:33):
This whole place drips water three days after every rain.
Speaker 4 (04:36):
Really, I thought these houses were just built.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
They were, but not very well. Oh well, don't wronger.
We'll move her to the hospital. Yeah, sure, say.
Speaker 6 (04:45):
Tell me, doctor, this house has been damp and drafty
from almost the first month we moved in. Could living
here have caused Kathy's pneumonia?
Speaker 4 (04:53):
Now?
Speaker 2 (04:53):
I wouldn't like to be pinned down as for the cause,
but well, i'd certainly say that living here hasn't helped
to avoid it.
Speaker 7 (04:58):
I see Kathy will get better, won't she?
Speaker 2 (05:02):
Yes? But but what doctor, Well, if you can manage it,
I think she should get out of this climate for
a while. I should suggest the South for a month
or two.
Speaker 5 (05:11):
South.
Speaker 6 (05:12):
Thanks, doctor, we'll take your advice.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
Andy, we'll talk it over, Eadie.
Speaker 4 (05:15):
Well, now I'll get back to my patient.
Speaker 7 (05:22):
Andy, we can't afford the trip south this time, you
bet we can.
Speaker 6 (05:27):
Will the money come from from this dream house we bought.
We're not going to make any more payments on it.
We'll use the money to send you in Kathy south
for a while.
Speaker 5 (05:35):
But what about the money We've already put into the house.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
I'll think of something.
Speaker 5 (05:39):
Oh, Darling, we can't afford to lose all that.
Speaker 6 (05:42):
Can we afford to lose Kathy?
Speaker 2 (05:44):
And I'm sorry, honey, I shouldn't have said that.
Speaker 6 (05:48):
I just don't want you to worry about anything except her.
Speaker 7 (05:52):
If we're not going to give mister Hobbs any more money,
what will we do when we get the mortgage state.
Speaker 6 (05:56):
I'm not sure, darling, but that's not your worry. Now,
you start planning for that trip south the minute the
doctor says okay, you and Kathy go Andy.
Speaker 5 (06:15):
You didn't have to get a room mat on the train.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
We could have gone by day coach Edy, it's already
paid poor, don't bread about it. Enjoy you all right?
Kathy looks good.
Speaker 6 (06:24):
Doesn't she.
Speaker 5 (06:25):
I hope she takes the trip all right?
Speaker 6 (06:26):
And she's starting off okay and sleeping like a log
on that seat.
Speaker 5 (06:29):
Oh, there's been a lot of excitement for a one year.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Old, I guess so, Darling. I wish you could go
with us, so do I. Somebody has to work.
Speaker 5 (06:37):
What are you doing about the mortgage payment thing?
Speaker 6 (06:39):
Well, I've been talking to some of our neighbors in
the development. They've been stuck, just like we have together.
We may work something out.
Speaker 5 (06:45):
Don't get into any trouble, an I.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Won't, darny, But don't you worry about it. Just have
a good time.
Speaker 6 (06:49):
Well, now, better get off this train or I'll be
going with you.
Speaker 5 (06:52):
Goodbye, goodbye, darning.
Speaker 6 (07:08):
Mister Bradley, Andy gorm Yes, can you come over to
my place tonight about eight o'clock?
Speaker 2 (07:13):
Yeah, that's right.
Speaker 6 (07:14):
See what we can do about these salt boxes that
we're sold to us as houses?
Speaker 2 (07:17):
Good?
Speaker 6 (07:18):
I'll expect you, Harold Andy, eight tonight, okay for you?
Speaker 4 (07:26):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (07:26):
Yeah, my place right be seeing you, Tommy, Andy, We're
gonna beet here tonight. Count on you good eight o'clock. Bye.
I know some of us here paid a little more
for our houses than the rest of us, a larger
(07:47):
house or more land. But whatever you paid, I think
we're all agreed that it was too much for what
we got, no question about that. Now. Our individual complaints
are pretty similar. Green wood, flooded cellars, crumbling foundations, poor flashings,
bad drainage.
Speaker 4 (08:00):
You know them as well as I.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
Do, perhaps better, Andy, perhaps, But.
Speaker 6 (08:03):
The point is the majority of them can be repaired.
Cato's expense yeah, yeah, I don't want to sink any
any more money into my house. You won't have to, Tommy,
at least I hope not.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
And who will mister Gora.
Speaker 6 (08:14):
If we all stick together, mister Bradley, I think we
can make the open up real estate company bear the expense.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
What you've been drinking?
Speaker 6 (08:21):
Andy, No, I'm serious and stream yeah, but that's all
it is, mister Hobbs. The real estate company has only
one interest in these houses now. It's not repairing them.
It's collecting on the mortgage, right, Tommy, And that's our weapon.
We refuse to pay those mortgages. What until steps are
taken to remedy our complaints?
Speaker 2 (08:40):
What about foreclosure?
Speaker 6 (08:42):
Well that is a possibility, mister Bradley, and we should
face it. But if we all stick together, I doubt
that mister Hobbs will foreclose on forty five houses at once.
It would certainly be bad publicity if he did. Whether
or not that will bother him, I don't know. But
not getting his money will?
Speaker 2 (08:59):
Can we get in trouble though?
Speaker 6 (09:01):
Well? To be honest, I'm not sure. I think we
should get legal advice and keep the whole affair above board.
Speaker 4 (09:07):
How'd you go about it.
Speaker 6 (09:08):
Mister, Well, I believe we should draw up a statement
of what we intend to do, and why then send
copies of it to the government housing authorities, the Veterans Administration,
and any other federal and state agencies concerned, just to
get ourselves on the record.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
It's a good idea, there is sound.
Speaker 6 (09:21):
Now after that, we pool our monthly mortgage statements and
appoint one man to present them to mister Hobbes to
tell him that they won't be paid until our homes
are made habitable and worth the purchase price agreed on.
Now that's the whole idea. How do you feel about it? Well,
it's certainly better than just putting up with paying for
these crack of boxes. I'll go along with it. I'm
(09:41):
glad to hear that, mister Bradley, and I'll make the
first motion of this informal association that Andy Gorham be
the man we appoint to talk to mister Clifford Hobbes.
All right, all right, I will, and I'll do my
best to get more out of him than just conversation.
Speaker 7 (10:05):
Candish by headquarters, Yes, mister Secretary, I'll connect.
Speaker 5 (10:10):
Cannish by headquarters. Busy hold on please, yes.
Speaker 7 (10:15):
Mister Hardy, mister Peters, thank you, dud.
Speaker 6 (10:21):
You come into my office for a minute.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
Peters, okay, Chape and bring a copy of that memoranda.
Speaker 6 (10:25):
From the Veteran's Administration, which.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
One that letter from the xgis who are reputing to
honor their mortgage statements.
Speaker 6 (10:30):
Oh yes, be writ in Chap. What do you think
about it, Peter, Well, from the way they describe their
house as chief, I sympathize with them, But I don't
see that there's anything we can do or we could
conduct an investigation of what There's no visible cause for
criminal proceedings as I know the stale. Two agencies have
(10:52):
already called asking us to investigate, uh, the Federal Housing
Administration and the National Association of home Builders. Association of
home Builders. That's the private builder's outfit, isn't it. Yes,
reputable builders in all large cities.
Speaker 2 (11:03):
What's their interest in this?
Speaker 6 (11:05):
Well, a story like this is bound to get publicity.
The public will read that publicity and they'll cast all
contractors and home builders in the same role as this
Oaknub Realty company.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
They won't differentiate.
Speaker 6 (11:14):
So the National Association wants to get on record as
opposing these practice thats in in the FAHA. They don't
think any outfit that can stir up as much resentment
as this company did could be completely legitimate. Then we
do investigate. I think we should beaters. I want you
to assign two agents to check the companies and corporation
papers and any other related documents of public record. Right
also get train reservations for us to Ashville. We'll question
(11:36):
this man who signed this letter for the veterans, This
Andrew Gorrum.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
Back to our old Nick David Harding caller spy caves
in a moment. Now, I want to tell you, folks,
how you can get one of the most useful knives
you've ever had in your home at a fraction of
the price you'd expect to pay. It's a handy, helpful
slicing knife nearly thirteen inches long with a blade of
gleaming lifetime stainless steel.
Speaker 4 (12:10):
And notice this especially, the blade is hollow ground.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
If you know knives, you know that hollow grinding makes
for a longer lasting, keener edge. And you know it's
a process which is usually found only in knives costing
two dollars or more. Yet you can get this knife
for only twenty five cents with two rappers from either
Old Nick or Bit of Honey candy bars. Yes, to
(12:34):
get your stainless steel slicing knife, just send twenty five
cents in coin with two Old Nick or Bit of
Honey rappers to Old Nick Box one forty four, New
York eight, New York.
Speaker 3 (12:47):
Old Nick Box one forty four, New York eight, New York.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
We can make this offer only because we have a
special arrangement with a famous cutlery manufacturer. He is the
only one in the country who has this new secret
process by which long lasting stainless steel can be successfully
hollow ground.
Speaker 4 (13:07):
We guarantee that.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
This stainless steel slicing knife would compare favorably with knives
costing seventy five cents to one dollar even without the
special process hollow grinding. But hollow grinding gives this knife
longer life, a keener edge, and greater usefulness. So when
you send in, you're really getting extra value. An outstanding
(13:29):
bargain buy. But remember the address Old Nick Box one
forty four, New York eight, New York. For each stainless
steel slicing knife you want, send us two rappers from
either Old Nick or bit of honey candy bars and
twenty five cents in coin. The offer may be withdrawn
at any time because the supply is limited, so be
(13:49):
sure of your quick cut slicing knife.
Speaker 4 (13:52):
Send your order today.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
Now back to our old nick David Harding Cowder Spike.
Speaker 6 (14:07):
Let's drop the act. Mister Hobbs. You know perfectly well
and not a single one of us is satisfied with
this house.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
I hope you didn't come in here just to argue.
Speaker 6 (14:13):
No, mister Hobbs, I didn't. I came in to give
you these here mortgage statements you mailed out a few
days ago, all forty five of them, and until you
do something about the condition of the oak Nub house
at Homes, that's all you're going to get every month.
Your statement's back again.
Speaker 4 (14:28):
I'm not sure I understand.
Speaker 6 (14:30):
It's simple enough, mister Hobbs. You either take care of
the complaints we made about the houses, or we refuse.
Speaker 4 (14:35):
To pay for You can't do that now. Poor clothes
on you.
Speaker 6 (14:37):
If you'd like to make forty five foreclosures with the
publicity that would a result, go ahead. I'll take you
to court. That may do some good. We'll find out
in court.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
Now look here, garum, isn't there some way we can
get together on this thing?
Speaker 8 (14:49):
Yes?
Speaker 2 (14:50):
Now, start repairs on the houses, all forty five. Now, look,
I can't spend the company's money on my own. Say so,
I've got investors and stockholders to think that.
Speaker 6 (14:59):
We've got families to think of. We paid for decent
places to live, and we want them.
Speaker 2 (15:03):
Now, why don't you be sensible about this, Garam?
Speaker 6 (15:06):
Just what do you consider sensible?
Speaker 2 (15:08):
Well, you made a lot of complaints about your house.
Suppose suppose I take care of those complaints.
Speaker 6 (15:16):
And the other houses in the development forget them.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
Worry about yourself.
Speaker 6 (15:21):
That's an attractive offer.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
I know a smart man when I see one.
Speaker 6 (15:24):
Thanks, and I assure you I'm smart enough to know
why you're making this offer. What do you mean You're
not impressed by me? You're impressed by the fact that
I'm representing all of the homes you hold mortgages on. Well,
I intend to keep it that way, since our only
strength is in sticking together them.
Speaker 4 (15:38):
Don't be a fool. I'll make offer even more attractive.
Speaker 6 (15:41):
You will listen to a deal, mister Hobbs. The only
deal I'll make will involve all forty five homeowners. When
you're ready to talk one like that, call me up.
Until then you can whistle for your money.
Speaker 8 (15:49):
Goodbye.
Speaker 6 (16:02):
Not a bad looking house on the surface, chief, Take
a closer look, Peters.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
Some of those clambers up there are warped.
Speaker 6 (16:08):
Oh I didn't notice. Yes, mister Andrew Gorham, that's right.
My name is David Harding. This is mister Harry Peters.
How do you do? What can I do for you?
Ar credentials from the United States? Counterspire? Oh, oh, come in,
thank you. I imagine you know why we're here. Yes,
(16:29):
I think so. Oh won't you sit down? Or isn't
that the customary procedure before and arrest?
Speaker 2 (16:35):
Arrest?
Speaker 6 (16:36):
I think you've got us wrong, mister Gorham. We're here
just to ask questions. Oh, well, go right ahead. We
want to stay within the law. Well, mister Gourham, what
do you expect to gain by this decent homes and
good repair. You weren't forced into buying this house, were you?
Speaker 9 (16:50):
No?
Speaker 6 (16:50):
I know, mister Harding, caveat emptor let the buyer beware.
But in a tight market like housing, I think the
seller should have some responsibility for what he sells.
Speaker 2 (16:59):
You've got a point there.
Speaker 6 (17:00):
When did you notice defects beginning to show up in
your homes, mister Gorham, four or five months after they
were built. You don't have fired the building company. Yes,
but they didn't pay any attention until we all got together.
Oh you're getting results then, well, not exactly results, but
we've made mister Hobbs or the open up company rather unhappy.
Speaker 4 (17:16):
I should imagine he would be.
Speaker 6 (17:18):
He offered to fix up my house and possibly throw
in a little money if I'd forget the whole affair,
just your house, not the others.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
That's right.
Speaker 6 (17:24):
Sounds a little off key, doesn't it She Yeah, I
thought so too. If it were only faulty construction, Hobbs
could take the case to civil court and make some
kind of an adjustment that would be fair all around.
Speaker 2 (17:34):
Heres.
Speaker 6 (17:34):
If he's an honest man, well, I know of nothing
that could prove he isn't. Well. I don't think a
man who's on the level would have tried to buy
you off. I agree, mister Peters.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
Mister Gorham, what did you pay for this house?
Speaker 6 (17:44):
Ten five hundred dollars? Are all the houses in the
development at the same price? No, they run from nine
to five to twelve five. I see, well, I'd like
to run tests of the structural defects in a few
of these homes, have a responsible build to look them over.
Do you think that'd be all right with your neighbors.
I'm sure it would, mister. We will agree to anything
to get some action. You set that up with you
Peters and mister Gorham. If mister Hobbs should get in
(18:06):
touch with you with another personal offer, let me know,
all right, mister Hardy, I can't guarantee results, but I
can guarantee you that we'll make a thorough investigation of
this whole affair.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
Hello, Bernie, oh Hobbs, mister Mankato up yet? Yeah, he's
having breakfast in bed and I have to see him
right away. You won't like that either away. But there's
a little trouble. Trouble. I thought this set up was
strictly legitimate. Well, things go wrong and we put them right,
and I hope you can.
Speaker 6 (18:48):
What is it, Barnie Hobbs, He wants to see you.
Speaker 4 (18:52):
I'm sorry to disturb you at this time.
Speaker 2 (18:54):
Mister Manketo, Okay, you did, now what's on your mind?
Speaker 10 (18:57):
You got a simple job there ought to have been
no problem. Alfred Rado, what's so hard about collecting the mortgages?
Speaker 2 (19:04):
I hold simply they won't pay, But they're beginning to
get wise to the fact that they were stuck with
those houses.
Speaker 10 (19:10):
I'll share a tear for them. They bought them, they'll
pay for them. Strictly legitimate. You want the case to
get the cord ain't gonna get there. They're gonna pay.
Not According to Andy Gurum, who is he one of
the men who bought a house. He's representing them all
trouble maker round. He's not easy to get along with.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
And we'll see them on that barney. Yeah, I advise
you to be cautious, mister Mancato, wape your advice. All
my doughs tied up in those houses.
Speaker 10 (19:39):
Money.
Speaker 8 (19:40):
I got the hard way.
Speaker 10 (19:42):
R I'm running in the twenties, policies in the thirties,
black markets during the war.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
Gonna keep it a hard way if I have to.
In terms have changed, mister Mankato. People have different ideas now.
Speaker 10 (19:54):
Nothing changes. People are the same. They only wear different clothes.
You push them around, they do like say, I.
Speaker 2 (20:01):
Push yeah, gon more be easy. I tried to buy
him off. He wouldn't sell one of those guys. Yeah,
Barnie knows how to handle them.
Speaker 10 (20:11):
He'll still have the others to do. We want to
be a jerk, Bonnie. You were with me in that
poultry racket in the Bronx. Yeah, what happens when you
chop a chicken's head off?
Speaker 2 (20:23):
He kicks a little and he dies. Get the idea
of hobbs. Don't be too hasty about this, mister Mankato,
who's being hasty?
Speaker 10 (20:31):
Bonnie picks this guy up. We try to reason with him.
He don't reason. It's just touf luck that he's the
head of the chicken, the part that gets chopped off.
Speaker 2 (20:51):
Well, that fills in the picture with mortive right.
Speaker 6 (20:55):
Good buy him. Hello, Chief, I've got something interesting for you.
I've got something more than interesting, criminal h I've been
over to the local FHA office getting information via teletype
from their Washington headquarters. You can pin something on the
realty company a false statement in their building application of
the government. They said those homes they built wouldn't sell
for more than seven five hundred dollars. That's how they
(21:16):
got their application approved. I'm not surprised. Why what have
you got Chief. You know who holds ninety percent of
the company. Who mister Christopher man Cato, Chris man Cato,
the racketeer who said he was going to retire, that's
the one.
Speaker 2 (21:29):
Only he doesn't seem to have kept his promise.
Speaker 6 (21:31):
No, at the prices he sold those houses is profits
two hundred percent. That's a record in anybody's language. We'll
close in fastpeaeders. So far, the company hasn't any idea
that we're investigating. We should be able to attach all
our files and records for criminal and civil prosecution.
Speaker 4 (21:43):
What do we go for?
Speaker 2 (21:44):
I'm Kato or Hobbs our first Hobbes he signed the
building application. He'll lead us to Mankato.
Speaker 6 (21:48):
What about Andy Gorhum Chief, ask him to come down here,
start him on a full statement of the whole affair.
I'll pay a little visit to mister Hobbs, mister.
Speaker 2 (22:03):
Harding, I had no idea your organization would be involved
in this. It's a very unfortunate situation. I'm sure it is.
Speaker 6 (22:11):
Oh.
Speaker 2 (22:11):
I can see the viewpoint of mister Gorham and the
rest of the homeowners, But I have my stockholders to
look out for.
Speaker 6 (22:18):
And who are they?
Speaker 2 (22:19):
Why? Various people I can't name them all off hand.
You go to great links to show your stockholders a profit,
don't you, mister Hobbs, What do you mean? I have
a copy of a building application you made to the government.
Oh you said those houses would sell for seven five
hundred dollars.
Speaker 6 (22:36):
You charged more than that? Why a false statement is
a serious offense, mister Hobbs. A prison sentence goes with it.
But I don't never mind. I'll take that. Let's sit
where you are? Hello? Open up really company?
Speaker 2 (22:48):
Oh yes, Peter?
Speaker 6 (22:49):
Oh cheep? What is it?
Speaker 4 (22:50):
I can't okay?
Speaker 6 (22:51):
Gorum what he left his office to go to lunch,
He didn't come beac and he has them going home.
I don't like it, you, particularly since Manketo was involved.
We'll find out if he's got anything to do with
Gorham's disappearance soon enough.
Speaker 2 (23:03):
Come over here right away.
Speaker 6 (23:05):
I have and I'll give you odds that he tells
me everything we want to know before you arrive, including
where Mankato is. Won't you, mister Hobbs, You know you're
(23:27):
being silly. Kid. You want to listen to reason? What's
your interest in this? Don't be curious, just be smart.
Speaker 10 (23:32):
Say the word and you go out of here in
a new house in a couple of bucks.
Speaker 6 (23:36):
And I'll suppose I did. Do you think the rest
of the fellows would pay off and take it lying down?
Speaker 10 (23:40):
I'll worry about that. Take away the head, you take
away the power. See the deal?
Speaker 6 (23:48):
No, okay, Bonnie?
Speaker 2 (23:51):
Yeah sure.
Speaker 10 (24:00):
The jack kid Bonnie's hand can hold out longer in
your face.
Speaker 6 (24:04):
Yeah, well, you won't get away with.
Speaker 2 (24:05):
This the original kid. Everybody says that one last time.
Speaker 4 (24:11):
Is it a deal?
Speaker 2 (24:12):
No? So bad, But in a way it's good.
Speaker 6 (24:16):
You saved me some dull.
Speaker 10 (24:19):
Looks like you do a real job, Bonnie. Okay, here
is someplace else, someplace else. I don't like funeral. What
do you mean you're not going to knock you off? Yeah, kid,
your object lesson number one. Nobody likes to die, and
they might think twice bout kicking up a fuss with
you as an example.
Speaker 2 (24:36):
Let's can the chatter Chris and get it over with her.
You're an apartment, Barnie. Yeah, somebody crossed this post.
Speaker 4 (24:46):
Hey, where you are, mister Hart?
Speaker 2 (24:48):
One time?
Speaker 4 (24:48):
Peter?
Speaker 2 (24:50):
That's right, man, Cato, easy, Bonnie, I wouldn't like to
shoot you, all right?
Speaker 6 (24:53):
And a little bit worse for the wear. I'm glad
you came. And that's an understatement, all right, Peter, put
cups all, Mankato and Barnie.
Speaker 2 (25:00):
Okay, nobody's going to make trouble. I get lawyers, you'll
need them.
Speaker 6 (25:03):
What happened to him? And that gorilla Barney picked me up?
I didn't know what it was all about. Man Cato
is the man behind the Oaknu real estate company.
Speaker 2 (25:09):
That's his interest. Yeah, and by rights I should be
suing this guy. He's the one who's not paying off.
Speaker 6 (25:14):
I just wanted to save the courts a lot of trouble.
Speaker 2 (25:16):
That's nice of you, Man Cato, but I'm sure they'll
find it no trouble at all to convict you of
false statements and fraud. Take them, moy, Peter, Mister Harding
will be back in a moment with a special guest.
(25:38):
You know, friends, I want to be sure that every
Counterspy listener has a chance to get one of our
outstanding stainless steel slicing knives. So if the lady of
the house isn't listening now, be sure you tell her
about this offer, or better still, send in for one
for her. Remember this is an extra useful slicing knife,
guaranteed to compare with knives costing seventy five cents to
(25:59):
one dollar. Because of a new secret process, we've been
able to have this knife hollow ground, a feature usually
found only in knives costing two dollars or more.
Speaker 4 (26:09):
But this slicing knife is.
Speaker 2 (26:11):
Offered to you today for only a quarter with two
wrappers from Old Mick or Bit of Honey candy bars.
Speaker 3 (26:18):
Our slicing knife has a blade that is gleaming stainless steel,
hollow ground with a razor sharp edge, hollow ground by
a special exclusive process to keep its sharpness for a
long long time.
Speaker 2 (26:30):
The handle is polished blonde hardwood, designed to fit your
hands smoothly and comfortably with a non slipt grip.
Speaker 8 (26:37):
You'll be proud to.
Speaker 3 (26:38):
Use it as a carving knife at your nicest dinner party.
Speaker 2 (26:41):
And your stainless steel slicing knife will stand up for
years of hardest kitchenware. It's stronger, it's extra sharp, it's
extra useful. You may want two of these fine knives,
so here's what to do. For each stainless steel slicing
knife you want. Send in two Old Mick or Bit
of honey wrappers with five cents. Please use coin, do
(27:02):
not use stamps or checks. Send to Old nick Box
one forty four, New York eight, New York.
Speaker 3 (27:08):
Old nick Box one forty four, New York eight, New York.
Speaker 2 (27:13):
Send your order now while you still thinking about it.
The quality is limited, so send in today. This is
David Harding. Now we're happy to present the executive Vice
President of the National Association of home Builders, mister Frank W.
Speaker 6 (27:31):
Cordwright.
Speaker 9 (27:32):
Tomorrow of the night's episode is an important one. Don't
buy a new home without knowing everything about it. Unfortunately,
some fly to night operators, like the ones you just
heard dramatized, have tried to capitalize on the immense housing demand.
In order to drive these unscrupulous people out of the
home building business, we must have the help of the
(27:55):
home buying public. Your part of the job is to
be sure you're buying good value and quality. Be sure
that the home is well constructed and well situated, that
it is properly priced and financed, and that it is
being built and sold by a reputable builder. These are
all easy things to learn before buying a house, things
(28:16):
that one generally makes very sure of before buying many
less expensive things.
Speaker 4 (28:20):
Remember this home building.
Speaker 9 (28:22):
Requires skill, integrity, and years of experience. We came out
of the war with a most serious housing shortage, but
by this time we're approaching the two million mark and
are beginning to meet the most critical part of the
veterans' housing needs. Speaking for the National Association of Homebuilders,
I can assure you that it's many thousands of members
(28:44):
will continue to build good houses at fair prices.
Speaker 2 (28:49):
Thank you, mister Colwright. Tune in next Sunday, same time,
same station for the Case of the Photogenic Crook whose
game deld in hot money until the counter spies worked
out a scheme to put their activities on ice. The
Case of the Camera happy Crook on David Harding counter Spy.
(29:22):
Tonight's David Harding Counterspy Case was directed by William M.
Sweets and was dramatized by Palmer Thompson, with music by
Jesse Crawford and featured Don McLaughlan and Mandel Kramer. David
Harding cowter Spy as a Phillips h Lord production, originating
in New York for the makers of Old Nick and
Better Honey Candy Bars. Now a listening reminder when Drew
(29:44):
Pearson looks ahead, he usually comes out with a fascinating prediction.
Be sure to hear Pearson tonight over this ABC station
as his ABC the American Broadcasting Company.
Speaker 8 (29:55):
Welcome back.
Speaker 1 (29:56):
Well, this episode dealt with a really signific eificant social
problem after the war, which was housing. And you'll hear
that hinted about in so many old time radio programs,
and I'll think the scenes focusing on that were pretty
effective at establishing this problem and what was going on
(30:18):
and what some people might have done about it. But
the big problem is that the series is counterspy and
the torture logic used to insert counter spy into this
case is kind of stunning, and the attempts to justify
it in the conversation between Peters and Harding kind of
(30:42):
make it worse. I mean, as far as they know,
there's no criminal angle, and Peters points out this looking
like this is just entirely civil, nothing for us to do,
and Harding doesn't explain why there's a specific ques Prime involved,
but it's like, hey, you know, there's a FAJA wants
(31:06):
us to look into it, and there's also an industry group,
so we're gonna look into it bring the full force
of the federal government and the powerful counter spy agency
to bear on this problem, and we'll solve it.
Speaker 8 (31:20):
Now.
Speaker 1 (31:20):
Of course, you can kind of retroactively justify this because
they found the fraud and because the Mob Boss was involved,
but still this is such a stretch for Counterspy. And
the weird thing is that this wasn't Phillips Lord's only show.
He had mister District Attorney, and this would have fit
(31:44):
a lot better over there. Our mob Boss apparently has
only two settings for persuasion, either bribery or quick execution.
It just seemed to escalate so quickly, and again it
is the fact that overall plot really doesn't fit Counterspy.
(32:08):
Even with the expanded law enforcement approach that we saw
in last week's show, this felt like they were trying
to address an issue out of scope, and that is
really problematic, know whether it was done in the nineteen
forties or whether it's done today, when you're so concerned
(32:30):
about addressing a particular social issue and you don't have
a story that actually fits what your series is about.
Start on Patreon with a comment regarding the explosive dog
Jeff Wrights blowing up a dog makes for quite an
(32:51):
emotional episode, at least for me, made villains even worse.
Dog food angle at the end was clever. I had
talked this might have been on the Great Detectives podcast
about how our views of pets has kind of changed
over the years, and I think people love dogs in
the nineteen forties, but that's become even more intense, which
(33:16):
leads to some plot points hitting very differently or more
intensely with modern audiences. And that might be a case
of it. And it definitely hit that way with me too,
And it's probably one of the lesser discussed aspects of
old time radio that can cause some challenges for modern listeners.
(33:39):
Doctor Who Done It comments on the same issue on Spotify.
When the cabby and the dog are louder than the explosion,
come on sound effects, guy, I did go back and
listen to that portion. Again, I don't pick apart sound
effects too much, but I I think that there's a
(34:01):
really good point here, because when I listened to that,
just focusing on that effect, it sounded like maybe a
thunderstorm had started. To be fair, I think it can
be a challenge with the resources that you would have
had in the nineteen forties to using fully effects make
(34:26):
an explosion sound realistic and well realized. We've got a
lot more tools for that over audio today. What may
have made this one sound more problematic is that you
had this very loud, intense scenes with the dogs and
(34:47):
the shouting, and that all being louder than the explosion
creates a problem. It might not be so dramatic a
difference if the explosion came after soft dramatic music, but
really stands out if you're coming out of another very
(35:08):
loud scene. I will also say sound was a bit
off on today's episode. I don't think I got into
that because I got hung up on the plot. But
the booming intro for David Hardy, that was just wow.
It's like they think the show gets better as the
(35:30):
intro gets louder. We'll see if that trend continues. All right, Well,
now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day,
and I want to thank Judith, Patreon supporter since December,
currently supporting the podcast at the cadet level of two
dollars or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Judith,
(35:51):
and that will do it for today. If you're enjoying
this podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software.
We'll be back in two weeks with another episode of
Counterspy on Core Presentations this week on the Great Adventurers podcast,
but on the Great Detectives podcast. Join us back here
(36:12):
tomorrow for our four thousand, nine hundred and fiftieth episode special.
In the meantime, do send your comments to Box thirteen
at Great Detectives dot net, follow us on Twitter at
Radio Detectives, and check us out on Instagram, Instagram, dot
com slash Great Detectives From Boise, Idaho. This is your host,
(36:34):
Adam Graham signing off.
Welcome to the Great Adventurers of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho.
This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're
going to bring you this week's episode of Counterspy. But
first I do want to encourage you. If you're enjoying
the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software.
(00:29):
And today's program is also brought to you in part
by the financial support of our listeners. You can support
the show on a one time basis at support dot
great Detectives dot net, or become one of our ongoing
Patreon supporters for as little as two dollars per month
at Patreon dot great Detectives dot net. Well, today's episode
(00:52):
brings us to May of nineteen forty eight, and it's
worth noting what a significant gap there is in series,
as there was only one episode before this from the
post war era, and that one was a rehearsal. However,
this starts one of those really wonderful strings where we
(01:13):
actually have consecutive episodes for three weeks in a row.
This was actually the three hundred and third episode of
Counterspy the original air date May twenty third, nineteen forty eight,
and this is the Housing Racket but I like the
(01:34):
slightly less popular but better sounding the Bunco builders.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
David Hardy pound Spy presented by the makers of Old
Nick and Better Honey Candy bars. And today we're happy
to be able to repeat a special money saving offer
for all you folks who enjoy Old Nick and Better
Honey candybuyes.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
We offer a thirteen inch stainlessly slicing knife, guaranteed to
equal knivee selling it seventy five cents to one dollar.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
Sent to you for only twenty five cents in coin
with two rappers from either Old Nick or Bit of
Honey Candy Bars.
Speaker 4 (02:12):
Here's where to send your order.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Send to Old Nick Box one forty four, New York eight,
New York.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
We'll repeat this address later, so have a pencil and
paper ready to get the address correct.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
And listen later for complete details.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
Washington calling David Hooding, counter Spine Washington calling David Honding,
counter spine Parting, counter Spy calling Washington, David Harding, Cheap
(03:02):
United States counter Spies, especially appointed to investigate and combat
the enemies of our country, both at home and abroad,
and a secure for every American the rights which are
his under our Constitutionney.
Speaker 5 (03:27):
I didn't expect you to come home.
Speaker 6 (03:28):
Oh, I couldn't do any work after you called and
told me about Kathy. How is she?
Speaker 5 (03:31):
The doctor still with her?
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Andy?
Speaker 7 (03:34):
He thinks it might be pneumonia. Well, how did she
look feverish? She was whimpering when the doctor came.
Speaker 5 (03:41):
It feels so powerless.
Speaker 7 (03:42):
When they're too young, they can't tell you what hurts,
what's wrong.
Speaker 5 (03:47):
Yeah, and she'll be all right.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
Of course she will die.
Speaker 8 (03:52):
Now.
Speaker 6 (03:52):
Why don't you resper? Why you didn't sleep at all
last night?
Speaker 4 (03:55):
Need you?
Speaker 6 (03:56):
Let's not argue the point you Oh hello, hello doctor?
Speaker 2 (04:00):
How you didn't have to come home from work? I
wanted to the babies.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
How is she?
Speaker 8 (04:05):
Doctor?
Speaker 2 (04:05):
She's holding her own, mister Garum. I'd like to order
a portable oxygen tent, just as a precaution order whatever
you need. It's maybe a little expensive, Doc, it doesn't matter,
I know.
Speaker 4 (04:16):
I just wanted to keep everything straight.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Now. Is there another room in the house that we
could move her to for sure?
Speaker 7 (04:22):
Oh?
Speaker 5 (04:22):
What do you want to move her for?
Speaker 8 (04:23):
Doctor?
Speaker 2 (04:24):
Well, I'd like a place that isn't quite as damp
and drafty.
Speaker 7 (04:26):
Oh, that's the driest room we have except the kitchen.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
I see, well, we'll manage all right.
Speaker 6 (04:33):
This whole place drips water three days after every rain.
Speaker 4 (04:36):
Really, I thought these houses were just built.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
They were, but not very well. Oh well, don't wronger.
We'll move her to the hospital. Yeah, sure, say.
Speaker 6 (04:45):
Tell me, doctor, this house has been damp and drafty
from almost the first month we moved in. Could living
here have caused Kathy's pneumonia?
Speaker 4 (04:53):
Now?
Speaker 2 (04:53):
I wouldn't like to be pinned down as for the cause,
but well, i'd certainly say that living here hasn't helped
to avoid it.
Speaker 7 (04:58):
I see Kathy will get better, won't she?
Speaker 2 (05:02):
Yes? But but what doctor, Well, if you can manage it,
I think she should get out of this climate for
a while. I should suggest the South for a month
or two.
Speaker 5 (05:11):
South.
Speaker 6 (05:12):
Thanks, doctor, we'll take your advice.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
Andy, we'll talk it over, Eadie.
Speaker 4 (05:15):
Well, now I'll get back to my patient.
Speaker 7 (05:22):
Andy, we can't afford the trip south this time, you
bet we can.
Speaker 6 (05:27):
Will the money come from from this dream house we bought.
We're not going to make any more payments on it.
We'll use the money to send you in Kathy south
for a while.
Speaker 5 (05:35):
But what about the money We've already put into the house.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
I'll think of something.
Speaker 5 (05:39):
Oh, Darling, we can't afford to lose all that.
Speaker 6 (05:42):
Can we afford to lose Kathy?
Speaker 2 (05:44):
And I'm sorry, honey, I shouldn't have said that.
Speaker 6 (05:48):
I just don't want you to worry about anything except her.
Speaker 7 (05:52):
If we're not going to give mister Hobbs any more money,
what will we do when we get the mortgage state.
Speaker 6 (05:56):
I'm not sure, darling, but that's not your worry. Now,
you start planning for that trip south the minute the
doctor says okay, you and Kathy go Andy.
Speaker 5 (06:15):
You didn't have to get a room mat on the train.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
We could have gone by day coach Edy, it's already
paid poor, don't bread about it. Enjoy you all right?
Kathy looks good.
Speaker 6 (06:24):
Doesn't she.
Speaker 5 (06:25):
I hope she takes the trip all right?
Speaker 6 (06:26):
And she's starting off okay and sleeping like a log
on that seat.
Speaker 5 (06:29):
Oh, there's been a lot of excitement for a one year.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Old, I guess so, Darling. I wish you could go
with us, so do I. Somebody has to work.
Speaker 5 (06:37):
What are you doing about the mortgage payment thing?
Speaker 6 (06:39):
Well, I've been talking to some of our neighbors in
the development. They've been stuck, just like we have together.
We may work something out.
Speaker 5 (06:45):
Don't get into any trouble, an I.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Won't, darny, But don't you worry about it. Just have
a good time.
Speaker 6 (06:49):
Well, now, better get off this train or I'll be
going with you.
Speaker 5 (06:52):
Goodbye, goodbye, darning.
Speaker 6 (07:08):
Mister Bradley, Andy gorm Yes, can you come over to
my place tonight about eight o'clock?
Speaker 2 (07:13):
Yeah, that's right.
Speaker 6 (07:14):
See what we can do about these salt boxes that
we're sold to us as houses?
Speaker 2 (07:17):
Good?
Speaker 6 (07:18):
I'll expect you, Harold Andy, eight tonight, okay for you?
Speaker 4 (07:26):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (07:26):
Yeah, my place right be seeing you, Tommy, Andy, We're
gonna beet here tonight. Count on you good eight o'clock. Bye.
I know some of us here paid a little more
for our houses than the rest of us, a larger
(07:47):
house or more land. But whatever you paid, I think
we're all agreed that it was too much for what
we got, no question about that. Now. Our individual complaints
are pretty similar. Green wood, flooded cellars, crumbling foundations, poor flashings,
bad drainage.
Speaker 4 (08:00):
You know them as well as I.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
Do, perhaps better, Andy, perhaps, But.
Speaker 6 (08:03):
The point is the majority of them can be repaired.
Cato's expense yeah, yeah, I don't want to sink any
any more money into my house. You won't have to, Tommy,
at least I hope not.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
And who will mister Gora.
Speaker 6 (08:14):
If we all stick together, mister Bradley, I think we
can make the open up real estate company bear the expense.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
What you've been drinking?
Speaker 6 (08:21):
Andy, No, I'm serious and stream yeah, but that's all
it is, mister Hobbs. The real estate company has only
one interest in these houses now. It's not repairing them.
It's collecting on the mortgage, right, Tommy, And that's our weapon.
We refuse to pay those mortgages. What until steps are
taken to remedy our complaints?
Speaker 2 (08:40):
What about foreclosure?
Speaker 6 (08:42):
Well that is a possibility, mister Bradley, and we should
face it. But if we all stick together, I doubt
that mister Hobbs will foreclose on forty five houses at once.
It would certainly be bad publicity if he did. Whether
or not that will bother him, I don't know. But
not getting his money will?
Speaker 2 (08:59):
Can we get in trouble though?
Speaker 6 (09:01):
Well? To be honest, I'm not sure. I think we
should get legal advice and keep the whole affair above board.
Speaker 4 (09:07):
How'd you go about it.
Speaker 6 (09:08):
Mister, Well, I believe we should draw up a statement
of what we intend to do, and why then send
copies of it to the government housing authorities, the Veterans Administration,
and any other federal and state agencies concerned, just to
get ourselves on the record.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
It's a good idea, there is sound.
Speaker 6 (09:21):
Now after that, we pool our monthly mortgage statements and
appoint one man to present them to mister Hobbes to
tell him that they won't be paid until our homes
are made habitable and worth the purchase price agreed on.
Now that's the whole idea. How do you feel about it? Well,
it's certainly better than just putting up with paying for
these crack of boxes. I'll go along with it. I'm
(09:41):
glad to hear that, mister Bradley, and I'll make the
first motion of this informal association that Andy Gorham be
the man we appoint to talk to mister Clifford Hobbes.
All right, all right, I will, and I'll do my
best to get more out of him than just conversation.
Speaker 7 (10:05):
Candish by headquarters, Yes, mister Secretary, I'll connect.
Speaker 5 (10:10):
Cannish by headquarters. Busy hold on please, yes.
Speaker 7 (10:15):
Mister Hardy, mister Peters, thank you, dud.
Speaker 6 (10:21):
You come into my office for a minute.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
Peters, okay, Chape and bring a copy of that memoranda.
Speaker 6 (10:25):
From the Veteran's Administration, which.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
One that letter from the xgis who are reputing to
honor their mortgage statements.
Speaker 6 (10:30):
Oh yes, be writ in Chap. What do you think
about it, Peter, Well, from the way they describe their
house as chief, I sympathize with them, But I don't
see that there's anything we can do or we could
conduct an investigation of what There's no visible cause for
criminal proceedings as I know the stale. Two agencies have
(10:52):
already called asking us to investigate, uh, the Federal Housing
Administration and the National Association of home Builders. Association of
home Builders. That's the private builder's outfit, isn't it. Yes,
reputable builders in all large cities.
Speaker 2 (11:03):
What's their interest in this?
Speaker 6 (11:05):
Well, a story like this is bound to get publicity.
The public will read that publicity and they'll cast all
contractors and home builders in the same role as this
Oaknub Realty company.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
They won't differentiate.
Speaker 6 (11:14):
So the National Association wants to get on record as
opposing these practice thats in in the FAHA. They don't
think any outfit that can stir up as much resentment
as this company did could be completely legitimate. Then we
do investigate. I think we should beaters. I want you
to assign two agents to check the companies and corporation
papers and any other related documents of public record. Right
also get train reservations for us to Ashville. We'll question
(11:36):
this man who signed this letter for the veterans, This
Andrew Gorrum.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
Back to our old Nick David Harding caller spy caves
in a moment. Now, I want to tell you, folks,
how you can get one of the most useful knives
you've ever had in your home at a fraction of
the price you'd expect to pay. It's a handy, helpful
slicing knife nearly thirteen inches long with a blade of
gleaming lifetime stainless steel.
Speaker 4 (12:10):
And notice this especially, the blade is hollow ground.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
If you know knives, you know that hollow grinding makes
for a longer lasting, keener edge. And you know it's
a process which is usually found only in knives costing
two dollars or more. Yet you can get this knife
for only twenty five cents with two rappers from either
Old Nick or Bit of Honey candy bars. Yes, to
(12:34):
get your stainless steel slicing knife, just send twenty five
cents in coin with two Old Nick or Bit of
Honey rappers to Old Nick Box one forty four, New
York eight, New York.
Speaker 3 (12:47):
Old Nick Box one forty four, New York eight, New York.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
We can make this offer only because we have a
special arrangement with a famous cutlery manufacturer. He is the
only one in the country who has this new secret
process by which long lasting stainless steel can be successfully
hollow ground.
Speaker 4 (13:07):
We guarantee that.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
This stainless steel slicing knife would compare favorably with knives
costing seventy five cents to one dollar even without the
special process hollow grinding. But hollow grinding gives this knife
longer life, a keener edge, and greater usefulness. So when
you send in, you're really getting extra value. An outstanding
(13:29):
bargain buy. But remember the address Old Nick Box one
forty four, New York eight, New York. For each stainless
steel slicing knife you want, send us two rappers from
either Old Nick or bit of honey candy bars and
twenty five cents in coin. The offer may be withdrawn
at any time because the supply is limited, so be
(13:49):
sure of your quick cut slicing knife.
Speaker 4 (13:52):
Send your order today.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
Now back to our old nick David Harding Cowder Spike.
Speaker 6 (14:07):
Let's drop the act. Mister Hobbs. You know perfectly well
and not a single one of us is satisfied with
this house.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
I hope you didn't come in here just to argue.
Speaker 6 (14:13):
No, mister Hobbs, I didn't. I came in to give
you these here mortgage statements you mailed out a few
days ago, all forty five of them, and until you
do something about the condition of the oak Nub house
at Homes, that's all you're going to get every month.
Your statement's back again.
Speaker 4 (14:28):
I'm not sure I understand.
Speaker 6 (14:30):
It's simple enough, mister Hobbs. You either take care of
the complaints we made about the houses, or we refuse.
Speaker 4 (14:35):
To pay for You can't do that now. Poor clothes
on you.
Speaker 6 (14:37):
If you'd like to make forty five foreclosures with the
publicity that would a result, go ahead. I'll take you
to court. That may do some good. We'll find out
in court.
Speaker 2 (14:44):
Now look here, garum, isn't there some way we can
get together on this thing?
Speaker 8 (14:49):
Yes?
Speaker 2 (14:50):
Now, start repairs on the houses, all forty five. Now, look,
I can't spend the company's money on my own. Say so,
I've got investors and stockholders to think that.
Speaker 6 (14:59):
We've got families to think of. We paid for decent
places to live, and we want them.
Speaker 2 (15:03):
Now, why don't you be sensible about this, Garam?
Speaker 6 (15:06):
Just what do you consider sensible?
Speaker 2 (15:08):
Well, you made a lot of complaints about your house.
Suppose suppose I take care of those complaints.
Speaker 6 (15:16):
And the other houses in the development forget them.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
Worry about yourself.
Speaker 6 (15:21):
That's an attractive offer.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
I know a smart man when I see one.
Speaker 6 (15:24):
Thanks, and I assure you I'm smart enough to know
why you're making this offer. What do you mean You're
not impressed by me? You're impressed by the fact that
I'm representing all of the homes you hold mortgages on. Well,
I intend to keep it that way, since our only
strength is in sticking together them.
Speaker 4 (15:38):
Don't be a fool. I'll make offer even more attractive.
Speaker 6 (15:41):
You will listen to a deal, mister Hobbs. The only
deal I'll make will involve all forty five homeowners. When
you're ready to talk one like that, call me up.
Until then you can whistle for your money.
Speaker 8 (15:49):
Goodbye.
Speaker 6 (16:02):
Not a bad looking house on the surface, chief, Take
a closer look, Peters.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
Some of those clambers up there are warped.
Speaker 6 (16:08):
Oh I didn't notice. Yes, mister Andrew Gorham, that's right.
My name is David Harding. This is mister Harry Peters.
How do you do? What can I do for you?
Ar credentials from the United States? Counterspire? Oh, oh, come in,
thank you. I imagine you know why we're here. Yes,
(16:29):
I think so. Oh won't you sit down? Or isn't
that the customary procedure before and arrest?
Speaker 2 (16:35):
Arrest?
Speaker 6 (16:36):
I think you've got us wrong, mister Gorham. We're here
just to ask questions. Oh, well, go right ahead. We
want to stay within the law. Well, mister Gourham, what
do you expect to gain by this decent homes and
good repair. You weren't forced into buying this house, were you?
Speaker 9 (16:50):
No?
Speaker 6 (16:50):
I know, mister Harding, caveat emptor let the buyer beware.
But in a tight market like housing, I think the
seller should have some responsibility for what he sells.
Speaker 2 (16:59):
You've got a point there.
Speaker 6 (17:00):
When did you notice defects beginning to show up in
your homes, mister Gorham, four or five months after they
were built. You don't have fired the building company. Yes,
but they didn't pay any attention until we all got together.
Oh you're getting results then, well, not exactly results, but
we've made mister Hobbs or the open up company rather unhappy.
Speaker 4 (17:16):
I should imagine he would be.
Speaker 6 (17:18):
He offered to fix up my house and possibly throw
in a little money if I'd forget the whole affair,
just your house, not the others.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
That's right.
Speaker 6 (17:24):
Sounds a little off key, doesn't it She Yeah, I
thought so too. If it were only faulty construction, Hobbs
could take the case to civil court and make some
kind of an adjustment that would be fair all around.
Speaker 2 (17:34):
Heres.
Speaker 6 (17:34):
If he's an honest man, well, I know of nothing
that could prove he isn't. Well. I don't think a
man who's on the level would have tried to buy
you off. I agree, mister Peters.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
Mister Gorham, what did you pay for this house?
Speaker 6 (17:44):
Ten five hundred dollars? Are all the houses in the
development at the same price? No, they run from nine
to five to twelve five. I see, well, I'd like
to run tests of the structural defects in a few
of these homes, have a responsible build to look them over.
Do you think that'd be all right with your neighbors.
I'm sure it would, mister. We will agree to anything
to get some action. You set that up with you
Peters and mister Gorham. If mister Hobbs should get in
(18:06):
touch with you with another personal offer, let me know,
all right, mister Hardy, I can't guarantee results, but I
can guarantee you that we'll make a thorough investigation of
this whole affair.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
Hello, Bernie, oh Hobbs, mister Mankato up yet? Yeah, he's
having breakfast in bed and I have to see him
right away. You won't like that either away. But there's
a little trouble. Trouble. I thought this set up was
strictly legitimate. Well, things go wrong and we put them right,
and I hope you can.
Speaker 6 (18:48):
What is it, Barnie Hobbs, He wants to see you.
Speaker 4 (18:52):
I'm sorry to disturb you at this time.
Speaker 2 (18:54):
Mister Manketo, Okay, you did, now what's on your mind?
Speaker 10 (18:57):
You got a simple job there ought to have been
no problem. Alfred Rado, what's so hard about collecting the mortgages?
Speaker 2 (19:04):
I hold simply they won't pay, But they're beginning to
get wise to the fact that they were stuck with
those houses.
Speaker 10 (19:10):
I'll share a tear for them. They bought them, they'll
pay for them. Strictly legitimate. You want the case to
get the cord ain't gonna get there. They're gonna pay.
Not According to Andy Gurum, who is he one of
the men who bought a house. He's representing them all
trouble maker round. He's not easy to get along with.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
And we'll see them on that barney. Yeah, I advise
you to be cautious, mister Mancato, wape your advice. All
my doughs tied up in those houses.
Speaker 10 (19:39):
Money.
Speaker 8 (19:40):
I got the hard way.
Speaker 10 (19:42):
R I'm running in the twenties, policies in the thirties,
black markets during the war.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
Gonna keep it a hard way if I have to.
In terms have changed, mister Mankato. People have different ideas now.
Speaker 10 (19:54):
Nothing changes. People are the same. They only wear different clothes.
You push them around, they do like say, I.
Speaker 2 (20:01):
Push yeah, gon more be easy. I tried to buy
him off. He wouldn't sell one of those guys. Yeah,
Barnie knows how to handle them.
Speaker 10 (20:11):
He'll still have the others to do. We want to
be a jerk, Bonnie. You were with me in that
poultry racket in the Bronx. Yeah, what happens when you
chop a chicken's head off?
Speaker 2 (20:23):
He kicks a little and he dies. Get the idea
of hobbs. Don't be too hasty about this, mister Mankato,
who's being hasty?
Speaker 10 (20:31):
Bonnie picks this guy up. We try to reason with him.
He don't reason. It's just touf luck that he's the
head of the chicken, the part that gets chopped off.
Speaker 2 (20:51):
Well, that fills in the picture with mortive right.
Speaker 6 (20:55):
Good buy him. Hello, Chief, I've got something interesting for you.
I've got something more than interesting, criminal h I've been
over to the local FHA office getting information via teletype
from their Washington headquarters. You can pin something on the
realty company a false statement in their building application of
the government. They said those homes they built wouldn't sell
for more than seven five hundred dollars. That's how they
(21:16):
got their application approved. I'm not surprised. Why what have
you got Chief. You know who holds ninety percent of
the company. Who mister Christopher man Cato, Chris man Cato,
the racketeer who said he was going to retire, that's
the one.
Speaker 2 (21:29):
Only he doesn't seem to have kept his promise.
Speaker 6 (21:31):
No, at the prices he sold those houses is profits
two hundred percent. That's a record in anybody's language. We'll
close in fastpeaeders. So far, the company hasn't any idea
that we're investigating. We should be able to attach all
our files and records for criminal and civil prosecution.
Speaker 4 (21:43):
What do we go for?
Speaker 2 (21:44):
I'm Kato or Hobbs our first Hobbes he signed the
building application. He'll lead us to Mankato.
Speaker 6 (21:48):
What about Andy Gorhum Chief, ask him to come down here,
start him on a full statement of the whole affair.
I'll pay a little visit to mister Hobbs, mister.
Speaker 2 (22:03):
Harding, I had no idea your organization would be involved
in this. It's a very unfortunate situation. I'm sure it is.
Speaker 6 (22:11):
Oh.
Speaker 2 (22:11):
I can see the viewpoint of mister Gorham and the
rest of the homeowners, But I have my stockholders to
look out for.
Speaker 6 (22:18):
And who are they?
Speaker 2 (22:19):
Why? Various people I can't name them all off hand.
You go to great links to show your stockholders a profit,
don't you, mister Hobbs, What do you mean? I have
a copy of a building application you made to the government.
Oh you said those houses would sell for seven five
hundred dollars.
Speaker 6 (22:36):
You charged more than that? Why a false statement is
a serious offense, mister Hobbs. A prison sentence goes with it.
But I don't never mind. I'll take that. Let's sit
where you are? Hello? Open up really company?
Speaker 2 (22:48):
Oh yes, Peter?
Speaker 6 (22:49):
Oh cheep? What is it?
Speaker 4 (22:50):
I can't okay?
Speaker 6 (22:51):
Gorum what he left his office to go to lunch,
He didn't come beac and he has them going home.
I don't like it, you, particularly since Manketo was involved.
We'll find out if he's got anything to do with
Gorham's disappearance soon enough.
Speaker 2 (23:03):
Come over here right away.
Speaker 6 (23:05):
I have and I'll give you odds that he tells
me everything we want to know before you arrive, including
where Mankato is. Won't you, mister Hobbs, You know you're
(23:27):
being silly. Kid. You want to listen to reason? What's
your interest in this? Don't be curious, just be smart.
Speaker 10 (23:32):
Say the word and you go out of here in
a new house in a couple of bucks.
Speaker 6 (23:36):
And I'll suppose I did. Do you think the rest
of the fellows would pay off and take it lying down?
Speaker 10 (23:40):
I'll worry about that. Take away the head, you take
away the power. See the deal?
Speaker 6 (23:48):
No, okay, Bonnie?
Speaker 2 (23:51):
Yeah sure.
Speaker 10 (24:00):
The jack kid Bonnie's hand can hold out longer in
your face.
Speaker 6 (24:04):
Yeah, well, you won't get away with.
Speaker 2 (24:05):
This the original kid. Everybody says that one last time.
Speaker 4 (24:11):
Is it a deal?
Speaker 2 (24:12):
No? So bad, But in a way it's good.
Speaker 6 (24:16):
You saved me some dull.
Speaker 10 (24:19):
Looks like you do a real job, Bonnie. Okay, here
is someplace else, someplace else. I don't like funeral. What
do you mean you're not going to knock you off? Yeah, kid,
your object lesson number one. Nobody likes to die, and
they might think twice bout kicking up a fuss with
you as an example.
Speaker 2 (24:36):
Let's can the chatter Chris and get it over with her.
You're an apartment, Barnie. Yeah, somebody crossed this post.
Speaker 4 (24:46):
Hey, where you are, mister Hart?
Speaker 2 (24:48):
One time?
Speaker 4 (24:48):
Peter?
Speaker 2 (24:50):
That's right, man, Cato, easy, Bonnie, I wouldn't like to
shoot you, all right?
Speaker 6 (24:53):
And a little bit worse for the wear. I'm glad
you came. And that's an understatement, all right, Peter, put
cups all, Mankato and Barnie.
Speaker 2 (25:00):
Okay, nobody's going to make trouble. I get lawyers, you'll
need them.
Speaker 6 (25:03):
What happened to him? And that gorilla Barney picked me up?
I didn't know what it was all about. Man Cato
is the man behind the Oaknu real estate company.
Speaker 2 (25:09):
That's his interest. Yeah, and by rights I should be
suing this guy. He's the one who's not paying off.
Speaker 6 (25:14):
I just wanted to save the courts a lot of trouble.
Speaker 2 (25:16):
That's nice of you, Man Cato, but I'm sure they'll
find it no trouble at all to convict you of
false statements and fraud. Take them, moy, Peter, Mister Harding
will be back in a moment with a special guest.
(25:38):
You know, friends, I want to be sure that every
Counterspy listener has a chance to get one of our
outstanding stainless steel slicing knives. So if the lady of
the house isn't listening now, be sure you tell her
about this offer, or better still, send in for one
for her. Remember this is an extra useful slicing knife,
guaranteed to compare with knives costing seventy five cents to
(25:59):
one dollar. Because of a new secret process, we've been
able to have this knife hollow ground, a feature usually
found only in knives costing two dollars or more.
Speaker 4 (26:09):
But this slicing knife is.
Speaker 2 (26:11):
Offered to you today for only a quarter with two
wrappers from Old Mick or Bit of Honey candy bars.
Speaker 3 (26:18):
Our slicing knife has a blade that is gleaming stainless steel,
hollow ground with a razor sharp edge, hollow ground by
a special exclusive process to keep its sharpness for a
long long time.
Speaker 2 (26:30):
The handle is polished blonde hardwood, designed to fit your
hands smoothly and comfortably with a non slipt grip.
Speaker 8 (26:37):
You'll be proud to.
Speaker 3 (26:38):
Use it as a carving knife at your nicest dinner party.
Speaker 2 (26:41):
And your stainless steel slicing knife will stand up for
years of hardest kitchenware. It's stronger, it's extra sharp, it's
extra useful. You may want two of these fine knives,
so here's what to do. For each stainless steel slicing
knife you want. Send in two Old Mick or Bit
of honey wrappers with five cents. Please use coin, do
(27:02):
not use stamps or checks. Send to Old nick Box
one forty four, New York eight, New York.
Speaker 3 (27:08):
Old nick Box one forty four, New York eight, New York.
Speaker 2 (27:13):
Send your order now while you still thinking about it.
The quality is limited, so send in today. This is
David Harding. Now we're happy to present the executive Vice
President of the National Association of home Builders, mister Frank W.
Speaker 6 (27:31):
Cordwright.
Speaker 9 (27:32):
Tomorrow of the night's episode is an important one. Don't
buy a new home without knowing everything about it. Unfortunately,
some fly to night operators, like the ones you just
heard dramatized, have tried to capitalize on the immense housing demand.
In order to drive these unscrupulous people out of the
home building business, we must have the help of the
(27:55):
home buying public. Your part of the job is to
be sure you're buying good value and quality. Be sure
that the home is well constructed and well situated, that
it is properly priced and financed, and that it is
being built and sold by a reputable builder. These are
all easy things to learn before buying a house, things
(28:16):
that one generally makes very sure of before buying many
less expensive things.
Speaker 4 (28:20):
Remember this home building.
Speaker 9 (28:22):
Requires skill, integrity, and years of experience. We came out
of the war with a most serious housing shortage, but
by this time we're approaching the two million mark and
are beginning to meet the most critical part of the
veterans' housing needs. Speaking for the National Association of Homebuilders,
I can assure you that it's many thousands of members
(28:44):
will continue to build good houses at fair prices.
Speaker 2 (28:49):
Thank you, mister Colwright. Tune in next Sunday, same time,
same station for the Case of the Photogenic Crook whose
game deld in hot money until the counter spies worked
out a scheme to put their activities on ice. The
Case of the Camera happy Crook on David Harding counter Spy.
(29:22):
Tonight's David Harding Counterspy Case was directed by William M.
Sweets and was dramatized by Palmer Thompson, with music by
Jesse Crawford and featured Don McLaughlan and Mandel Kramer. David
Harding cowter Spy as a Phillips h Lord production, originating
in New York for the makers of Old Nick and
Better Honey Candy Bars. Now a listening reminder when Drew
(29:44):
Pearson looks ahead, he usually comes out with a fascinating prediction.
Be sure to hear Pearson tonight over this ABC station
as his ABC the American Broadcasting Company.
Speaker 8 (29:55):
Welcome back.
Speaker 1 (29:56):
Well, this episode dealt with a really signific eificant social
problem after the war, which was housing. And you'll hear
that hinted about in so many old time radio programs,
and I'll think the scenes focusing on that were pretty
effective at establishing this problem and what was going on
(30:18):
and what some people might have done about it. But
the big problem is that the series is counterspy and
the torture logic used to insert counter spy into this
case is kind of stunning, and the attempts to justify
it in the conversation between Peters and Harding kind of
(30:42):
make it worse. I mean, as far as they know,
there's no criminal angle, and Peters points out this looking
like this is just entirely civil, nothing for us to do,
and Harding doesn't explain why there's a specific ques Prime involved,
but it's like, hey, you know, there's a FAJA wants
(31:06):
us to look into it, and there's also an industry group,
so we're gonna look into it bring the full force
of the federal government and the powerful counter spy agency
to bear on this problem, and we'll solve it.
Speaker 8 (31:20):
Now.
Speaker 1 (31:20):
Of course, you can kind of retroactively justify this because
they found the fraud and because the Mob Boss was involved,
but still this is such a stretch for Counterspy. And
the weird thing is that this wasn't Phillips Lord's only show.
He had mister District Attorney, and this would have fit
(31:44):
a lot better over there. Our mob Boss apparently has
only two settings for persuasion, either bribery or quick execution.
It just seemed to escalate so quickly, and again it
is the fact that overall plot really doesn't fit Counterspy.
(32:08):
Even with the expanded law enforcement approach that we saw
in last week's show, this felt like they were trying
to address an issue out of scope, and that is
really problematic, know whether it was done in the nineteen
forties or whether it's done today, when you're so concerned
(32:30):
about addressing a particular social issue and you don't have
a story that actually fits what your series is about.
Start on Patreon with a comment regarding the explosive dog
Jeff Wrights blowing up a dog makes for quite an
(32:51):
emotional episode, at least for me, made villains even worse.
Dog food angle at the end was clever. I had
talked this might have been on the Great Detectives podcast
about how our views of pets has kind of changed
over the years, and I think people love dogs in
the nineteen forties, but that's become even more intense, which
(33:16):
leads to some plot points hitting very differently or more
intensely with modern audiences. And that might be a case
of it. And it definitely hit that way with me too,
And it's probably one of the lesser discussed aspects of
old time radio that can cause some challenges for modern listeners.
(33:39):
Doctor Who Done It comments on the same issue on Spotify.
When the cabby and the dog are louder than the explosion,
come on sound effects, guy, I did go back and
listen to that portion. Again, I don't pick apart sound
effects too much, but I I think that there's a
(34:01):
really good point here, because when I listened to that,
just focusing on that effect, it sounded like maybe a
thunderstorm had started. To be fair, I think it can
be a challenge with the resources that you would have
had in the nineteen forties to using fully effects make
(34:26):
an explosion sound realistic and well realized. We've got a
lot more tools for that over audio today. What may
have made this one sound more problematic is that you
had this very loud, intense scenes with the dogs and
(34:47):
the shouting, and that all being louder than the explosion
creates a problem. It might not be so dramatic a
difference if the explosion came after soft dramatic music, but
really stands out if you're coming out of another very
(35:08):
loud scene. I will also say sound was a bit
off on today's episode. I don't think I got into
that because I got hung up on the plot. But
the booming intro for David Hardy, that was just wow.
It's like they think the show gets better as the
(35:30):
intro gets louder. We'll see if that trend continues. All right, Well,
now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day,
and I want to thank Judith, Patreon supporter since December,
currently supporting the podcast at the cadet level of two
dollars or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Judith,
(35:51):
and that will do it for today. If you're enjoying
this podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software.
We'll be back in two weeks with another episode of
Counterspy on Core Presentations this week on the Great Adventurers podcast,
but on the Great Detectives podcast. Join us back here
(36:12):
tomorrow for our four thousand, nine hundred and fiftieth episode special.
In the meantime, do send your comments to Box thirteen
at Great Detectives dot net, follow us on Twitter at
Radio Detectives, and check us out on Instagram, Instagram, dot
com slash Great Detectives From Boise, Idaho. This is your host,
(36:34):
Adam Graham signing off.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The MeatEater Podcast
Building on the belief that a deeper understanding of the natural world enriches all of our lives, host Steven Rinella brings an in-depth and relevant look at all outdoor topics including hunting, fishing, nature, conservation, and wild foods. Filled with humor, irreverence, and things that will surprise the hell out of you, each episode welcomes a diverse group of guests who add their own expertise to the vast world of the outdoors. Part of The MeatEater Podcast Network.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.