New-York tribune., 1908-12-20

wise TO say what you are gong 10 90 uItH you tle
ready do it; that 1t is much better, N fact 20
substitute doing for saving
An excellent MAXIM, returned the Other. With
well simulated Indifference. All of Your fellow
citizens however will be deeply interested IN the
outcome of the affair. | am an Older man tnal
YOU are Mr GOrnlv. and may therefore take the
liberty. not of advising YOU as TO the conduct OF
your business, but OF SAYING III a Ir1endly way one
or two things that The hrst Is that as
a business know that this publicity IS more or
less distasteful TO YOU assume that Il VIII DC %
the Gotham Freight Traction Company, Wn1cn. L
believe is very worthy concern, des1rous OF nlld-
ing its business and exploiting ITS own proper
ties | think myself viewing the situation impair
tiallv that YOU have been hardly dealt With. /
don't want to the affair advance any turther,
for the credit Of the community thlnk nave
little influence, my name ana connec
er-my family, and tie hesltated ana lhen
II quite understand the importance of anything
that YOU NAV saw from Your personal reputa-
ton Mr. Hadane from the means al Your disposal
and from the position Your family has occupied III
the community It IS only necessary 70 1IlelIlol4
Thank You" replied the other Well what I
meant say was this: You have built up a great
business here in New York. We are-er-Proud OF
it You are believe one of the institutions of the
city | shall if YOU will permit me, use my influence
with certain of nv acquaintance in the traction
cor7nanv to-ah-rnodifv their demands. Sup
pose We say three hundred thousand dollars for the
connections. and nothing more 70 appear about II
in the public press:
Is this" burst out Gormly quickly. He had in
= tended say a hTIbe . but realized that II ne
did 50 he would affront Haldane. of the nature of
whose interest in the matter he desiring TO ad-
lust he was Vet aware, and so he changed his
mind and said, is this compromise you are offer
ing"
Il am offering nothing" said Haldane. 4 am
not in position offer anything | have no right
to do so no desire As | stated to YOU l am simply
a citizen who wants this unpleasant matter
removed from the papers. where such things dis
cussed by incorporate writers without any real COM
prehenson Of the issues involved; and offer the
friend Of my friends, and, If l may so call myself
your friend, to bring you two together
You are not empowered TO make such a propo-
stion2"
Certainly not" was the specious answer. L
simply take advantage of the fortunate chance that
gives me the privilege of your acquaintance to do
what l conceive TO be a public service
And YOU have no personal interest IN the
matter:"
4 have already assured YOU as to that
Under the circumstances then. | shall have no
hesitation IN acting according the dictates of
Judgment: nv conscience as we'll | might add.
You would do that in any event.
Certainly; but if 1t a matter of personal IN
terest 10 you, sir might be inclined, in view of the
good will YOU have manifested toward me, to give
YOU another answer from that which l to
deliver"
And what IS that"
Il will not accept any such offer if it should be
made me by authority. | will not pay a single cent
over and above the actual cost of building the
switches and proper and reasonable amount for
the privilege of the connection"
"Of course, YOU must make YOUR own decision
In that case, however, fear You will never get the
switches
Il am quite sure that before get through l shall
have not only the switches, but" Gormlv paused
and looked his companion hard and directly in the
face.
But what" said Haldane. hicking the ashes
from his cigar daintily, and specuatvely watching
the blue curl OF smoke that langudlv from its
end IN the air The air was very still, though IT