The Godfather

 “The Godfather” By Mario Puzo
 
182
The Great Depression increased the power of Vito Corleone. And indeed it was about 
that time he came to be called Don Corleone. Everywhere in the city, honest men 
begged for honest work in vain. Proud men demeaned themselves and their families to 
accept official charity from a contemptuous officialdom. But the men of Don Corleone 
walked the streets with their heads held high, their pockets stuffed with silver and paper 
money. With no fear of losing their jobs. And even Don Corleone, that mgt modest of 
men, could not help feeling a sense of pride. He was taking care of his world, his 
people. He had not failed those who depended on him and gave him the sweat of their 
brows, risked their freedom and their lives in his service. And when an employee of his 
was arrested and sent to prison by some mischance, that unfortunate man’s family 
received a living allowance; and not a miserly, beggarly, begrudging pittance but the 
same amount the man earned when free. 
This of course was not pure Christian charity. Not his best friends would have called 
Don Corleone a saint from heaven. There was some self-interest in this generosity. An 
employee sent to prison knew he had only to keep his mouth shut and his wife and 
children would be cared for. He knew that if he did not inform to the police a warm 
welcome would be his when he left prison. There would be a party waiting in his home, 
the best of food, homemade ravioli, wine, pastries, with all his friends and relatives 
gathered to rejoice in his freedom. And sometime during the night the Consigliere, 
Genco Abbandando, or perhaps even the Don himself, would drop by to pay his 
respects to such a stalwart, take a glass of wine in his honor, and leave a handsome 
present of money so that he could enjoy a week or two of leisure with his family before 
returning to his daily toil. Such was the infinite sympathy and understanding of Don 
Corleone. 
It was at this time that the Don got the idea that he ran his world far better than his 
enemies ran the greater world which continually obstructed his path. And this feeling 
was nurtured by the poor people of the neighborhood who constantly came to him for 
help. To get on the home relief, to get a young boy a job or out of jail, to borrow a small 
sum of money desperately needed, to intervene with landlords who against all reason 
demanded rent from jobless tenants. 
Don Vito Corleone helped them all. Not only that, he helped them with goodwill, with 
encouraging words to take the bitter sting out of the charity he gave them. It was only 
natural then that when these Italians were puzzled and confused on who to vote for to 
represent them in the state legislature, in the city offices, in the Congress, they should 

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