Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1907-10-31
CHAPTER TX.
scSpsusht, 1897. DOubI.d.y. P.ssGo~,


The governing committee was hold |
ing q meeting in Its room. Bob rushed |
in unceremoniously.
"one word, gentlemen" he called. |
II have more trades outstanding, both |
buys and sells, than any other mem.
Der or house. Before deciding whether
TO adjourn in an attempt to save the
Street ask your consideration OF
this proposition: II the exchange VIII
suspend operations for 80 minutes,
and allow me to address the NOM
bers on the floor, will agree to buy
stocks all around the room. until they
have regained at least half their drop
all OF Il, II possible. l will buy I'M
ill l have exhausted to the last hun
bred my fortune of a billion dollars.
This should make an adjournment I'M
necessary. know that this Is a most
extraordinary request, but you are
confronted with a most extraordinary
situation. the most remarkable In the
history OF the stock exchange. Al
ready, II what they say on the floor
is correct. over 200 banks and trust
companies throughout the country
have gone under. and new failures
are being announced every minute.
Half the members of this and the
Boston and Philadelphia exchanges
are insolvent and have closed their
doors, or will close them before three
O'Clock, and the shrinkage In values
so far reported runs over fifteen bill
lions. Unless something Is done be-
fore the close. there will be similar
panic In every exchange and bourse
in Europe tomorrow"
The committee instantly voted to
lay the proposition before the full
board. In another minute the presi.
dents gavel sounded, and the floor
was still as a tomb. All eyes were
fixed on the president. Every man
in that great throng knew that upon
the announcement they we're about to
hear, might depend. at least tenn
porarily, the welfare. not only Of
Wall street, but Of the nation. per
haps even OF the civilized world. The
president spoke:
Members of the New York Stock
Exchange:
THE governing committee instructs
me to say that Mr.. Robert BROMLEY
has asked that operations be suspend
ed for 80 minutes, in order that he be
allowed TO address you. Mr.. Brown.
ley has agreed. II this request be
granted, he will upon resumption OF
operations purchase a sufficient
amount OF stock to raise the average
price OF all active shares at least one
half their total drop-all OF II, II pos
sible. He agrees to buy to the limit
of his fortune of billion dollars.
now put Mr.. Brownley's request TO q
vote. All those IN favor OF granting
It viii signify the same by saying
Yes"
A mighty rootlifting Eyes" sound
ed through the room.
IAN those opposed, No."
There was deathly hush.
"Mr. BROMLEY will please speai
from this platform. and remember. IL
80 minutes TO the second. / will sound
She gayel for the resumption OF bust
ness"
Bob BROMLEY strobe 10 the place
Just vacated by the president. The
srowd was growing larger every min
ute. The ticker was already kissing
tape biograph of this extraordinary
situation in brokerage shops, hotels
and banks throughout the country
md In a few minutes the news Of 1
would be In the capitals Of Europe
lever before in history did man hav'
yuch an audlence-the whole civilizeI
world. Already arose from Wall
Broad and New streets, which sur
ound the exchange. the hoarse bel
iow Of the gathering hordes. Befor
the ticker should announce the re
.umption OF business these woull
number hundreds OF thousands, 70
ne financial district for more than Al
hour had been q surging mob.
For once at least the much.abuse'
phrase. "He looked the part" coul
be used In ali truthfulness. AS Rot
ert BROMLEY threw back his hea
and shoulders and faced that crow
OF men. some Of whom he had hur'
many Of whom he had begsRred, an
all Of whom he had tortured, he pr'
sont6d q picture such = q royal Ito
recently from the iungies and Jus
freed from his cage might have mad'
Defiance. Difference. contempt. an
pity ali blended In his mion. but owe
all was an I-am-the-one- you-are-th'
many atmosphere OF confidence this
turned my spinal column into a me
curry tube. He began 70 speak;
Men OF Wall street,
"You have just witnessed 4 renot'
breaking slaughter. I have aske