Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1907-05-02

CaTu WnlCn the once BOY nad lalu
upon his desk. Van Buren, was gen
eral manager and heaviest bondholder
of the Morning Herald,
What in the name of heaven brings
Gillette here?" he unused. Perhaps
he's planning to shoot me in my own
office,
SHOW the gentleman in, boy" he
said. He reached for his heavy walk
ing stick and stood 1t within convent
ent reach against the wall. Then he
complacently settled back in his spa
cious revolving chair to await the
entry of his visitor.
Gillette looked anything but belli-
gerent.
"Ah, my dear Van Buren!" he said
effusively, extending his hand across
the table.
Wont you sit DOWN." replied Van
Buren,, ignoring the extended hand of
his visitor. Gillette flushed deeply.
II suppose you're nightly surprised
to see me to-day" he blurted out.
We'll, here's the case in nutshell.
Tomorrow is election day. You know
what that means to me and my COM
pany. We pushed through the common
council of this city a contract for fur
nishing your people with an adequate
supply of pure water from Lake Ge-
noa. The ultimate price involved is
bonus Of 100000, and the regular
schedule rate for consumers. We have
spent six months of our time and $780,
600 of our money in getting our propo-
sition whipped into shape and in Sc
curing final passage of our franchise
in the council. You and your paper
have opposed us from the start. 1t
was your doings when the council
tackled referendum clause on the
franchise before 1t passed. 1t was
your doings when the necessary petit
tons of Is per cent. of the qualified
voters of Larson were complied, re-
quiring the submission of the fran
chise to the people for popular sane
ton before It could become binding.
Since the petitions were recorded the
Herald has consistently villified Genoa
water We haven't been able to even
buy line of space in which to place
before the people plain statement of
fact. What's the result? With the
voting on the referendum "a hours
away, the people are dead against us.
Our only hope of a successful outcome
is endorsement in tomorrow morn
ing's Herald. / come here, sir, au-
thorized to pay you $40 a line for
printing six columns tomorrow which
we will furnish you. That means that
we stand willing to deliver cash to
you at the rate of $4,000 a column.
Advertising space is always for sale.
We solicit permission to be added to
your list of patrons May WEI"
Gillette" said Van Buren,, your
Genoa Water company is rotten to the
core-and you know it. Now listen"
he continued I'm glad to admit
that ! caused the addition Of the ref
erendum. I'm glad to admit that I've
fought you tooth and nail I'm glad to
hear you admit that things will go
against you tomorrow unless you can
use the Herald for your mouthpiece.
But that you can't do! Ten dollars
line is no inducement! Why, a little
while ago / was given to understand
that | could have $4,000 in cold cash
for just keeping on the fence. To
morrow's Herald will be the strongest
arraignment of the Genoa Water COM
pany ever printed here or anywhere.
To-morrow's Herald will be full from
front to back with all the arguments
we can marshal against your Genoa
Water company and its 100000
steal"
You are entirely settled upon this
course?" inquired Gillette.
Entirely" responded Van Buren,,
rising.
Then / say this to you; Though
the odds be great against us, the &c.
noa contract will be affirmed to-mor-
row. He stood in the doorway for
moment. ITS not too late" he ven
tured. Ten dollars "a"
A word wouldn't tempt me-"
interrupted the editor. And
want to say to you that this interview
will be printed verbatim tomorrow
morning. l think my stenographer
has it intact"
| have related this interview to give