New-York tribune., 1908-12-20

ambitions IN the political field. but now that
the issue has been dTawn-you VIII forgive my
PLAIN speeCh-BrtWeen honesty and dishonesty
black1na,I and tair dealing. / propose To an
tagonlze the party IN power and the rtng that
granted this franchise and delivered the city
INTO the hands of this corporation. and 70 drive
1t out
Many men have tried that none IN my
recollection has succeeded
The more honor IN succeeding now, and the
more inspiration 10 try
'' But suppose YOU did succeed, what then
How would that affect the Gotham Freight
Traction Company
MEANWHILE" SAID Gormly, and IN this
1'A instance he deliberately land al his cards
on the table propose To take adVantaSe OF
the one blunder Of the Gotham Freight Traction
Company.
And what Is that, asked Haldane with IN
tense eagerneSS. There was no longer the
faintest pretense between these two His
cards We're on the table well. though he had
not admitted It
"I In order TO make the franchise of the
Gotham Traction Company really OF value 10
complete the system without which II begins
and ends III the AIR 1t must have the old
New York Street Car Company franchise
that expires next spring 1t covers the only
available routes and the only available streets
to connect the two ends OF the Gotham enter
prise. Somehow or other the aStute minds con
trolling the corporation failed to secure the
renewal of the franchise 1t has L be voted
upon and passed this spring
The present administration was the quick
reply, will be IN power until the APrll elec-
ti0ns. The franchise expires IN March. No
regrant of it could be made until then 1t VIII
be renewed before a new administration could
Supplant the old, even If Your Wild dreams
were successful
That Is TO be seen" answered GOrnly
coollv
.'Mv dear sir. it IS self evident"
" "Byno means l am not politician, neither
am a SpeculatOr neither am | a tlnancler. but
| have had dealings with greater masses OF
men and women possibly than any man outside
of the Mayor of the city or the Governor OF the
State. and | know what public opinion IS
think | know also how To arouse and stimulate
II. Public opinion shall be aroused on the queS-
ton of the renewal of the franchise of the New
York Street Car Company, with a clear eN-
PLANTATION of the principles and consequences
involved, to such al extent that | do not be
heve any administration on earth VIII dare to
And who will do this arousing:"
Il will"
How
BY offering myself as a candidate for Mayor
of New York. and by fighting the battle on
that issue. and that alone
Il might said Haldane slowly. after a
deeply thoughtful moment,-''I might secure
the privileges you desire. conditoued-
" | don't desire them now, Mr. Haldauc
returned Gormlv- d" am IN the battle 10 stay
| ask nothing from the Gotham Freight Trac-
ton Company. 1t can confer no tdVOrS upon
me | shall take what | am entitled To by the
grace of God and the VIII of the people"
Haldane stared long time at the dark, jc-
termIned face of his host. ' You VIII make
splendid enemy. Mr.. Gormlv." he sdld at last
The battle VIII be one worth going ID long dis
tduCe TO see
" shall be fighting. returned Gormlv with
more meaning than the other dreamed of. " for
all that life holds dear"
' Is success then So priceless To- voUs' re-
turned the other. Well I fear YOU are
doomed to deep and bitter disappointment.
he continued, rising to his feet
That's as NAV be was the answer. as the
merchant also rose, but at least the battle
viii be worth while
Haldane looked tiNedlv at the younger man.
He acknowledged that IN him the Gotham
Freight Traction Company and he himself had
found the worthicst antagonist that the album
dant and brilliant talent of the great metropolis
could produce.
At that instant the tall clock in the hall
struck the hour of twelve.
have the honor said Gormlv bowIug
formally, To- wish YOU very Merry Christmas.
Mr. Haldanc
CHAPTER vi.
Gormly ANNOUNCES His Candidacy