Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-07-16
CHAPTER TX.


sion. for it was there that the
Colossus carried through his
most important business deals, and its
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 a thousand
millions of dollars to take 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
mep in the political and industrial life
or the nation. Corrupt senator's, graft
ing congressman, ambitious railroad
presidents, insolent coal barons who
tmpudently claimed they administered
the coal lands In trust for the AL
mighty, INSCRIPTIONS princes of finance
and commerce. all visited this room to
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
minister's, even presidents. Here were
turned over to confidential agents mill
lions of dollars to overturn the PEOPLES
vote In 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
me consumer and put millions in the
pockets Of the trust Here were plan
ned tricky financial operations with
deliberate intent to mlslead and de-
ceive the investing public, operations
which would send stocks soaring one
day, only a 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 perpetrated
tne must heinops crime that can be
committed against free people-the
of the trusts, abetted by the
railroads, to arbitrarily raise the prices
or the necessaries of life-meat. coal.
oil, Ice, gas-wholly without other 1us-
tihcation than that of greed. which
with these men was the uncomfortable,
all absorbing passion. In short, every.
thing that INSCRIPTIONS 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, a long black
cigar between his lips, giving instruc-
tons to Mr.. Bagiey. Mr.. Ryder looked
up quickly as the door opened, and the
secretary made movements forward
as II to eject the intruder, no, matter
who be might be. They were not &C.
customed to having people enter the
sanctum Of the Colossus so unceremo- |
niously. But when he saw who 1t was |
Mr.. Ryder's stern. set face relaxed. |
and he greeted his son amIably.
why, JEFF, my boy, Is that your
Just a moment until I get rid of Bag
ey, and I'll be with you"
Jefferson turned to the bookshelves
and ran over the titles while the finan-
Her continued his business with the I
Nov, Bagley. come. quickl What
q Itf'
He spoke In a rapid, explosive man.
1er, like a man who has only a few
to spare before he must rush
o catch train. John Ryder had been
:atching trains all his life, and he had
eldom missed one.
Governor Rice called. He wants an
appointment" said Mr.. Bagley, hold
ng out a'eard.
Il can't see him. Tell him So" came
he answer quick as a fash. "who
'lser' he demanded. where's your
Ist?"
Mr.. Bagiey took from the desk list
Il names and read them over.
General Abbey telephoned. He says
'ou promisedS-
Eyes, yes" interrupted Ryd0r I'm