Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1902-02-15
HERBERT M'GovERN,
CITY ATTORNEY, OMAHA.

Billy read the card and looked up at the
stranger what can L do for you?"
he asked
.'Well," said the western city official, 81
don't know any better place to come for in.
formation than to newspaper office. l did
not know but that You might have at you1
tongues end the names Of half dozen
electrical experts that / can call on in order
to get certain information about the actual
cost OF installing electrical plants and the
furnishing of electricity to consumers.
There's row out IN my town, in the city
government itself and between two rival
electrical concerns. The mayor and 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 a sharp
game. This second company claims to have
some hold on the city because of an ordi
nance passed three years ago and we've got
to fight it. Now, if | can get the opinions
of some way up experts here in Chicago to
show that the company which | favor has
the best proposition, why, it will help Sc
cure tue franchise for it, and it's 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 been
consulting with him, and when | get the
expert opinions here / shall confer with
him again on my return and find out how
best to use them in carrying our case.'
Billy Smith unused minute. Here was
chance to help his brother, to whom he was
beholden for many favors. I've been a
Chicago reporter for many years, Mr.. Me.
Govern" he said, "and know personally
three or four of the biggest electrical sharps
in the city. don't mind telling you, though
it isn't necessary to 60 into details, that /
feel peculiar interest in this Omaha case,
and if you don't mind III go out with you as
soon as the cit editor gets down and intro
duce you personally to the men you want to
see. Sit down and read the papers fol
awhile
Three hours later Billy and Attorney Nc.
Govern 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 electrician 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 Attorney
McGovern, after they had left the office, ''to
carry Smiths and my case against that
shark company
They went to three other offices and were
given three other signed expert statements
which Mr. McGovern declared clinched his
case beyond peradventure of failure. After
this business was closed up Billy Smith, In
the warmth of his heart and with the recol-
lection of many brotherly favors in his
mind, took Attorney McGovern to the swell.
est Chicago restaurant and made him his
guest at luncheon at which several costly
upright things stood by the plates. Then
. fn and RillU SIN nh
bought the tickets. 1t was the happiest
coincidence in the world for this newspaper
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 theateI
for good and had pledged eternal friendship
before saving farewell there was just a soil.
tary dollar note left in Billy Smiths pay
envelope He considered the money and the
time well spent however, in the effort to
help out the case of his brother and his
brothers electrical company against the
greedy rival who was trying to grab off
things in Omaha. Billy had not said one
word to McGovern about the reason for his
interest in the Omaha case beyond the state.
ment at starting that he did hold such an
interest.
"Good-by, Mr. McGovern," he said, when
the time for parting came. when you get
back to Omaha you tell Expert Smith with
whom you've been comforting that news
paper namesake of his in Chicago did what
he could for you L think very likely Smith
will know whom you mean"
an do that same" returned McGovern.
Smiths mighty good fellow. Ever since
he came from his company's headquarters
at New Orleans a month ago we've been in
close touch"
"Compapy's headquarters in New Or
leans!" gasped Billy.
Yes" said McGovern, that's where the
company that he works for halls from. The
other, the grasping concern, is located in
New York, and, by the way, now think OF
II they've got a man named Smith on the
| ground, too He's shrewd cuss and ex-
pected to have had hard work to down him
until you helped me out to-day Why! Do
Won know this New York Smith"
slightly; he's my brother. Chicago
Record Herald.