The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-12-26
HERBERT M'GOVERN.
CITY ATTORNEY, OMAHA

Billy read the card and looked up at the
stranger. What can l DO for your
he asked.
Well said the western city official.
II don't know any better place TO come
for information than to a newspaper
office. L did not know but that you
might have at your tongues end the
names of half a dozen electrical experts
that l can call on in order to get certain
information about the actual cost of in
stalling electrical plants and the furnish
ing of electricity TO consumers. There
a row out in my town in the city govern
nent itself. between two rival electrical
concerns. The mayor and a good part
of the government. including myself. are
with one of the companies. We believe
that they have a better proposition than
the other, which we think is trying
sharp game. This second company
claims to have some hold on the city be-
cause of an ordinance passed three years
ago, and we've got 10 fight il. Now, II
/ can get the opinions of some way up
experts here in Chicago to show that the
company which 1 favor has the best
proposition, why it will help secure the
franchise for il, and it's a franchise that
in the end will be worth millions TO the
company. The concern has an expert
named Smith now in Omaha, and I've
Seen consulting with him, and when l
get the expert opinions here l shall con-
fer with him again on my return and
find out how best TO use them in carrying
our case"
Billy Smith unused a minute. Here was
a chance to help his brother 70 whom he
was beholden for many favors. I've
been a Chicago reporter for many years.
Mr. McGovern," he said, "and ! know
personally three or four of the biggest
electrical sharps in the city. / don't
mind telling you, though 1t isn't neces-
sary 70 60 into details, that l feel
peculiar interest in this Omaha case, and
if YOU don't mind IN go out with you as
soon as the city editor gets down and in
troduce you personally to the men you
want to see. Sit down and read the pa
pers for n while
Three hours later Billy and Attorney
NcGovern were in the office of a man
who knows so much about electricity
that you get a shock every time you
shake hands with him. The great cleo
trician wanted TO please Billy. and SO he
listened carefully to what the attorney
had to say, and then gave him lot of
figures.
This is enough of itself" said Attor-
ney McGovern. after they had left the
office. Ito carry Smiths and my case
against that shark company"
They went to three other Offices and
were given three other signed expert
statements which M. NIcGovern declared
cIinched his case beyond peradventure
Of a failure After this business was
closed up Billy Smith. in the warmth of
his heart and with the recollection of
many brotherly favors in his mind. took
Attorney McGOvern to the SWEETEST Chi
cago restaurant and made him his guest
at a luncheon at which several costly up
right things stood by the plates. Then
they went TO a matinee and Billy Smith
bought the tickets. II was the happiest
coincidence in the world for this news
paper boy that it was the one day Of the
week when he looked upon the face Of
the cashier.
BY the time they were out Of the the
alter for good and had pledged eternal
friendship before saying farewell there
was just solitary dollar note left ia
Billy Smiths pay envelope. He consid-
cred the money and the time well spent.
however. in the effort to help out the case
of his brother and his brothers electri-
cal company against the greedy rival
" no was irving to grab of things In
Omaha Billy had not said one word 20
AIcGovern about the reason FOR his inter-
est in the Omaha case beyond the state
ment at starting that he did hold such an
interest.
the time for parting came. when you
get back 10 Omaha, you tell Expert
smith with whom you've been comforting
that a newspaper namesake OF his in
Chicago did what he could for you. 1
think very likely Smith viii Know whom
You mean"
III do that same returned Mccoy
ern. Smiths a mighty GOOD fellow.
Ever since ne came from his company
headquarters ct New Orleans a month
ago we've been IN close touch"
~Company's headquarters IN New Or
leans" gasped Biily.
Yes" said McGOvern: that's where
the company that he works for halls
from The other. the grasping concern.
is located m New York. and by the way.
now I think Of il, they've got q man
named Smith on the ground, too. He's
q shrewd ciss. and I expected IN have
hard work 70 down him until you helped
ne ont TO-DAY. Why. DO YOU know this
New York SMITH"
slightly. he's my brother."-Edward
3. Clark.
4 Nire Game.
CFrom the Washington starr
II came mighty near being cheated out
o. that election" said Senator Sorghum.