Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1906-11-29
Nj.
WHEN \ MAN Is NOT \ NAN.

WHEN y. MAN Is Not \ NAN.
Walters entered. He was one of tho
great railway presidents. was uriver-
sally regarded as "A power. though !. of
course. knew that he, like So many
other presidents OF railways. of iudi-
N1dual corporations. of banks. of in
surance companies, n high political
officials in cities. states and the ma
ton. was little more than II figurelead
put up and used by the inside financial
ring. As he shifted from leg tn leg.
holding his hat and trying TO steady
his twitching upper lip. he looked as
one of his smallest section bosses would
nave looked. if called up for a wigging.
Roehuck shook hands cordially with
linn. RESPONDED to his nervous glance
at me with: "Rlacklock is practically
in our directory" We all sat, then Roe
buck began in his kindliest tone:
w have decided, Walters. that we
must give your place to a stronger
mar. Your gross receipts. outside OF
coal. have fallen rapidly and steadily
for the past three quarters. You were
put into the presidency to bring them
up. Thcy have shown no change be-
yond what might have heen expected
IN the natural fluctuations of freight.
we calculated on resuming dividends
a year ago. We have barely been able
to meet the Interest on our bonds"
But. Mr.. Roebuck." pleaded Wal
tiers. you doubled the bonded indebted
ness of the road just before took
charge"
The money went into improvements.
into increasing your facilities. did it
not?" inquired Roebuck. his raw AS
soft as u playful tigers.
Part OF It," said Walters. Blu. y,,,
remember the recognizing syndicate
got hVe millions. and then the con-
tracts for the new work had to be Civ
en- TO construction companies in which
directors of the road were silent part-
ners. Then they are interested in the
supply companies from which I must
buy. You know what all that means
Mr.. Roebuck."
NO doubt" said Roebuck. still
smooth n soft. But IL there was
waste. YOU should AVE reported"
TO whom??" demanded Walters.
Every one of u directors. including
yourself, Mr.. Roebucls. is u s%tockholder
"a large stockholder-in one or more
OF those companies"
HAY o proof of this, Walterso.
asked Roebuck. looking profoundly
shocked. ITS a very grave charge-a
criminal charge"
Proof" said Walters. "you know
how that is. The real books OF all bic
companies are kept in the memories
Oh the directors-and mighty treacher-
49, I'LL W. AIES w INlS with a
nervous laugh. CAS- for the holdings of
directors in construction and supply
companies-imost Of those holdinps ara
IN other names--all OF them are dis
Suised where h connection is direct :"
shook his head sadly. "You
aamit. then. that yon have allowed
millions of the roads money to he
wasted. that you made no complaint,
no effort to stop the waste: and yo,r
only defense is that YOU suspect tho
directors OF fraud. And you accuse
tnein TO excuse yourself-accuse them
MIN no proof. Were you in any OF
those companies. Walters:"
NO" he said. his eyes shifting.
face grew stern. You
government bonds. they tell me. with
your TWO years profits from the West.
ern Railway Construction comnany"
Il bought no bonds" clustered Wal.
ters. What money 1 have l made our
OF specuiatins in the stock o. my road
on legitimate inside Information"
Your uncle in Wilkesbarre. I mean, ).
pursued Roebuck. "
walters Redeemed. looked straight at
Roebuck without speaking. '
buck. roe
II saw everybody-eve,vhoa,.
grating said Walters boldly ..ara :
It's part of the business: T''hen r..
added cynically: That's the wav n ;s
nowadays. The lower ones see the
higher ones raking off. and they rake
on. too-down to conductors and brake
men. We caught some trackwaikers in
a conspiracy to dispose OF the die
carded ties and rails the other days.
he laughed. We Jailed them"
III you can show that any director
has taken anything thai did not he,one
to him. II you can show that q sinele
contract o let to a CON.
struction or a supply company
except, OF course. the contracts TO-,
let to yourseif-of them I know
nothing. suspect much]if you can
show n instance Of these crIuina
doings. Mr.. Walters. I shall back yo,
up with all my power in Prosecution"
o course I can't snow IT," cried
Walters. III ! tried. wouldn't they rnin
and disgrace me. perhaps e me tr
the p~enttentiarX? Wasn't the ons