The San Francisco call., 1908-10-25

Denver yards for your material and
supplies" he said in answer to ques-
ton of Fords about sidetrack room
and yard facilities at the point which
would have to serve as his base. FOL
lowing your orders, we have been for
warding all that your Plug mountain
rolling stock could handle, but there is
considerable more of it sidetracked
here. After the MacMorrogh grading
outfit has gone to the front, we shall
have more room, however"
THE MacMorrogh outfit?" queried
Ford. DO they store 1t in our yards?'
'Oh. no. They have a pretty COM
plete railroad yard of their own at their
headquarters in Pueblo. But they have
three trainloads of tools and machinery
here now, waiting for your orders to
send them to the 'front.'
Ford weighed the possibilities
thoughtfully and concluded that moth
ing could be lost by a frank declara-
ton of principles
They have given you folks a wrong
impression, Mr.. Eckstein,'' he said firm
ly. THE contract for the grading on
the western extension is not yet
awarded; and if I can compass it, the
MacMorrogh Brothers bid will be
thrown out"
The private secretary tried to look
mystified, with just the proper touch
of a subordinate'S embarrassment.
I'm only clerk. Mr.. Ford" he said.
land, of course I'm not supposed to
know more than l see and hear in the
regular way of business. But 1 under
stood that the MacMorroghs were in the
saddle; that they were only waiting for
you to provide track room at Saints
Rest for their toolcars and outfit
NO. said Ford 1T hasn't got that
far along yet" Eckstein looked at
his watch.
Don't let me keep you. if there is
anything else you want to do. Mr..
Ford; but I'll confess you've aroused
my curiosity. What is the matter with
the MacMorroghs?
Ford answered the question by ask
ing another.
DO you know them, Mr.. Eckstein?"
''Why-yes; as Mr.. North's chief clerk
would be likely to know the firm of
contractors which has been given
good share of the Pacific Southwestern
work for number of years
DO you know any good of them?"
Bless mel yes: l don't know any
thing else of them. Three hearty,
bluff. rough tongued Irishmen; lacking
diplomacy and all the finer touches. if
you like, but good fellows and hustlers
of the keenest.'
Ford fastened his companion in
steady eye grip. "One question, Mr..
Eckstein; do they play fair with all
concerned?"
They are more than fair; they are
generous-with the company, and with
the company's representatives with
whom they have to do business, On
two contracts with us they have lost
money; but l happen to know that in
both instances they kept their promises
to the engineering department to the
letter."
Ford had cast off the eye grip and
he appeared to be studying the fresco
design of the ceiling over the private
secretary's head
And those promises were-?"
Eckstein laughed boyishly. You
needn't make a mystery of 1t with me-
Mr.. Ford. I'm one of the family, If L
haven't any initials after my name
1 know-we all know-that there
are certain profits-not made out of
the company. of course-that con-
tractor is always willing to share with
his good friends, the engineers"
Ford's attitude instantly became that
of freshman wishing to learn the
ropes.
Consider me, Mr.. Eckstein," he said.
I'm new to the construction business
or at least I've never been at the
head of it before. What are these-er
-perqulSIteS!
The private secretary thought he
had entered the thin edge of the wedge
and he drove 1t heartily.
They are perfectly legitimate,
of course. The contractors run a COM
missary to supply the workmen-no-
body suspects them of doing it at cost
Then there are the fines imposed to
secure faithful work, the per capita
commission paid on the labor sent in
by the engineers the discounts on time
checks, the weekly hospital and insur-
ance dues collected from the men. All
those things amount to good round
profit on a contract like ours.
ITO about how much. in figures,
should you say?" queried Ford, with
an air of deepest interest.
ITO enough to make your share. as
head of the construction department,
touch ten thousand year, on job as
big as ours-with a liberal provision
for Mr.. Frisbie, besides"
raHo i've o1-A ~-t.z