One week, he had a case where a young widow had stolen a loaf of bread and the shopowner was pressing charges. LaGuardia looks at the woman and asks if she was guilty of doing this and she admits that she had, explaining that her husband is dead, she's been laid off from her job, and her children are starving.
LaGuardia looks over at the shopowner and asks him if he is determined to press the charges and the irate man insists that "these people" be taught a lesson.
LaGuardia leans back in his chair and tells the woman that he is finding her guilty and that the punishment is a five dollar fine. He then pulls out his wallet, removes a five dollar bill, and hands it to the bailiff, explaining that he is going to pay her fine.
He then looks around the courtroom, which is packed with dozens of lawyers, defendants, plaintiffs, and assorted other individuals, and states that he is also going to fine everyone in that courtroom five dollars for the fact that their city and society are so messed up that this young woman is forced to steal to feed her family.
He then hands another five dollar bill to the bailiff, who then walks around the courtroom and collects five dollars from everyone, including the red-faced shopowner, and then presents the stack of money to the astonished widow. LaGuardia then informs her to stop by his office the next day, for he is in need of a new secretary.
The entire courtroom then gave Mayor LaGuardia a standing ovation.
What a beautiful story! Just made my night.