The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-06-29

tuOSt lulDDEldnl DuSlDcSS utAlS. ana ltS
busiest hours were those which most
men devote to rest But John Burkett
Ryder never rested. There could be no
rest for any man who had thousand
millions of dollars to takJ care Of.
Here the money Moloch held court
like any King. with as much ceremony
and more secrecy. and having for his
courtiers some of the most prominent
men in the political and industrial life
of the nation. Corrupt senators, graft
ing congressman, ambitious railroad
presidents insolent coal barons who
impudently claimed they administered
the coal lands in trust for the Al
mighty, unscrupulous princes OF finance
and commerce. all visited this room 70
receive orders or pay from the head of
the system" Here were made and
unmade governors Of states, mayors OF
cities, Judges, heads Of police. cabinet
ministers, even presidents. Here were
turned over TO confidential agents mil.
lions of dollars TO overturn the peoples
vote I'm the national elections. Here
were distributed yearly hundreds of
thousands OF dollars TO grafters, large
and small. who had earned It In the
service OF the Interests"
Here secretly and unlawfully the
heads Of railroads met to agree on
rates which by discriminating against
one locality in favor of another crush
ed out competition, raised the cost to
the consumer and put millions IN the
pockets of the trust Here were plan
ned tricky financial operations with
deliberate intent to mislead and de
ceiye the Investing public, operations
which would send stocks soaring one
day, only n week later to put Wall
street on the verge Of panic Half a
dozen suicides might result from the
coup, but twice as many millions of
profits had gone into the Golfers OF the
system" Here, too. was pcrpetrated
the must heinous crime that can be
committed against a free people-the
conspiring of the trusts, abetted by the
railroads. to arbitrarily raise the prices
of the necessarics of life-meat coal
oil, fee. gas-wholly without other jus
tihcation than that of greed, which
with these men was the unconquerable,
all absorbing passion. In short, every
thing that unscrupulous leaders of or
ganized capital could devise TO squeeze
the life blood out of the patient, de-
fenseless toiler was done within these
four walls.
When Jefferson entered, his father
was seated at his desk, long black
cigar between his lips, giving instruc-
10, aIss NTt.
up quickly as the door opened, and the
secretary made n movement forward
as IL to eject the intruder, no matter
who he might be. They were not ac-
customed to having people enter the
sanctum Of the Colossus so unceremo-
niously But when he saw who IL was
Mr. Ryder's stern, set face relaxed,
and he greeted his son amiably.
why, Jen, my boy, Is that you?
just moment until got rid of Bag
ley. aud I'll be with you"
Jefferson turned to the bookshelYes
and ran over the titles while the finan-
cler continued his business with the
secretary.
Nov. Bagley. come, quick! What
is it?'
He spoke In rapid, explosive man
ner. like man who has only a few
moments TO spare before he must rush
to catch a train. John Ryder had been
catching trains all his life, and he had
seldom missed one
Governor Rice called He wants an
appointment" said Mr.. Bagley, hold
ing out a card
Il can't see him. Tell him so,r came
The answer quick as fash. "Who
elseg he demanded. where's your
Iistg
Mr. Bagley took from the desk a list
of names and read them over.
General Abbey telephoned. He says
you promised"
ayes. yes" interrupted Ryder i'm
patiently. ''but not here Down town
tomorrow, any time NextW
The secretary jotted down a note
against each name and then said:
= There are some people downstairs
In the reception room. They are hers
by appointment"
"'rhe national committee aud Ser
geant Ellison of the secret service from
Washington replied Air. Bagley
e'Who was here arstg' demanded the
fnancler
Sergeant Ellison, sir"
'srhen I'll see him first and the com
mlttee afterward. but let them all wal
until l ring. l wish to speak with my
son"
He waved his hand, and the secre
tary. knowing well from experlencl
that this was a sign that there must b
no further discussion. bowed respect
fully and left the room. Jefferson
turned and advanced toward bis ia
ther. who held out his hand.
"WelL Jefferson" he said kindly
'dld you have a good time abroadr'
eYes. sir. thank you. Such trip 4
\ liberal education IN itself"
rReady for work again. eh2 In
glad you're back. Jefferson. I'm bus.
now. but one Of these days / want I
have serious talk with yon in reear'
10 your future. This artist business 1
ali very well for pastilne. but its no
career surely you can appreciat