Smash Comics #19: justice for "the least of these"

In the early Jack Cole stories, Midnight frequently displayed passionate interest in justice for "the least of these."  The second adventure of Midnight, as recorded in Smash Comics #19 is one such example. 

It opens at the National Soap Box Derby in Millville, where Dave Clark is supplying radio news coverage.  Suddenly, young Bobby Brant crashes in dramatic fashion. After examining the boy, a physician from the crowd announces Bobby didn't just "lose control," but passed out from malnutrition. A Mr. Dobbs then appears contradicting this diagnosis, insisting Bobby is hale and fit as a horse--owing to that steady nutritious diet he (supposedly) receives at Dobbs' orphanage.  

Though Bobby confirms Dobbs' story, Clark is skeptical.  He wonders what motive the doctor could have to lie about the boy's condition.  Dave decides that he needs to make an appearance at the evening's city council meeting--as Midnight!

While, as the reader ultimately learns, Dave's skepticism is well-founded ; rather rather than conduct any preliminary investigation, Midnight simply drops into the middle of the council meeting brandishing a handgun and demanding to know:

When the accosted chairman responds that the council annually allocates a quarter million dollars, Midnight basically offers a “my bad, guys...later!” and takes off.   

Meanwhile, back at the orphanage Dobbs--enraged by the loss of the $1,000 soapbox derby prize--decides that Bobby needs to be "punished."  Just as he begins to lash the boy with a bull whip; Midnight arrives on the scene, reminds Dobbs of the terms of the Golden Rule and then commences to do unto Dobbs as Dobbs had been doing unto Bobby.

Like the bully he is, Dobbs immediately begs for mercy, handing over the money he's  illegally pocketed, but not before protesting, "those ratty councilmen get the real sugar--and I take the rap!" 

So it’s back to the council meeting where--the city fathers have been forewarned by Dobbs that their comeuppance is en route.   The extra muscle the council has called in for security forces Midnight to utilize tear gas to even the odds. (One wonders where and how a vigilante radio announcer of the 1940s would acquire a supply of tear gas.  I'm under the impression that wasn't a standard inventory item at your local five-and-dime.)  

Clark takes the council members hostage and drives them out to a body of water where he’d previously enlisted the orphans to construct a water torture device.  (Okay, so they don’t call it a “water torture device,” but that’s what it is.)

Each councilman is ordered to deposit $50,000 in the bank so the boys at the orphanage can go to college.  Anyone refusing gets dunked (simulation drowning, I guess?)  Before long, all have acquiesced. 

Meanwhile back at the orphanage, Dobbs decides to set fire to the structure for insurance money.  

Unfortunately for him, the closing panels leave the impression that Dobbs is answerable to a Providence even more passionate about justice for orphans than Midnight: