Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-01
CHAPTER x1-continued.)

" mil "oupu sci We do Ills iol-
lowing your orders. we have been for
warding all that your Plug Mountain
rolling stock could handle. but there
is considerable more of it side-track-
ed here. After the Marlborough grad
ing outfit has gone TO the front, we
shall have more room, however"
THE MacMorrogh OUTFIT queried
Ford. do they store it in our
yards?"
"Oh, no. They have pretty COM
plete railroad yard of their own at
their headquarters in Pueblo. But
they have three train-loads of tools
your orders to send them TO the
front"
Ford weighed the possibilities
thoughtfully and concluded that moth
ing could be lost by frank declara-
ton Of principles.
They have given you folks a
wrong impression, Mr.. Eckstein," he
said mildly 'The contract for the
grading on the Western Extension is
not yet awarded; and if can com
pass it. the Marlborough Brothers
bid will be thrown out"
The private secretary tried to look
mystified, with just the proper touch
of subordinate's embarrassment
I'm only a clerk. Mr.. Ford he
said, land, of course, I'm not supposed
to know more than see and hear in
the regular way of business BIT,
understand that the MacMorregns
We're eM She saddle; that they were
only waiting, for YOU to provide track
room at Saints Rest for their tool
cars and outfit"
NO. said Ford. at hasn't got
that. Tar 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. WhssE the matter
with the MacMorroghs? ?"
Ford answered the question by ask
ing another.
DO you know them, Mr. Eckstein?'
"Why-yes: as Nh. North's chief
clerk would be likely to know the
firm Of contractors which has been
given a good share of the Pacific
Southwestern work for number of
years.
DO you know any good of themc''
Bless me! yes: I don't know any
thing else of them. Three hearty,
bluff, rough-tongued Irishmen lack
ing diplomacy and all the finer
touches. if YOU like, but good fellows
and hustlers of the keenest."
Ford fastened his companion in a
steady eye-grip. One question, MI
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 | happen to know
that in both instances they kept their
promises to the engineering depart
ment 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 mystery of it with
! me, MI. Ford. I'm one of the family
| if / haven't any initials after my
name. l know-we all know-that
! there are certain profits--not made
out of the company. of course-that
contractor 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 beer
at the head of it before. What are
| are these-er-perquisite
The private secretary thought he
| had entered the thin edge Of the
wedge and he drove il heartily.
They are perfectly legitimate, OF
course. The contractors run com
missary to supply the workmen--no
| body suspects them of doing it al
| cost. Then there are the fines i'm
posed 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 insurance dues collect
\ cu ilpui Lie lllSti. All tDOSS
amount to good round profit on a
contract like ours"
ITO about how much, in figures
should you say" queried Ford. witt
an air of the deepest interest.
ITO enough to make your share, as
head Of the construction department
touch ten thousand year, on a jot
as big as ours-with liberal pro
vision for MIR. Frisbie, besides
Ford blew reflective smoke rings
toward the ceiling for full minute
or more before he said quietly: "Dc
understand that you ire authorized
to guarantee me ten thousand a veal
in commissions from the MacMorrogl
Brothers. Mr.. EcksteiD?"
Eckstein laughed
You forget that I'm only clerk
and an on!ooker. as you may say
) But if you accept MacMorrogh's bid
n n ~ a 4 EYA. AtT