Wallowa County chieftain. [volume] (Enterprise, Or.) 1909-1911, 1909-05-27
CHAPTER ".
JUST THE MAN WE NEED"

a u towel filed with cracked ice
around his head, he saw two familiar
figures standing in a secluded corner
OF the lobby. They were talking ear.
nestly in low voice.
Whew!' whistled the newspaper
man. 1T must be something impor.
tant that brings both the boss Of the
senate and Stevens Of Mississippi
here"
Good afternoon, Haines. How are
your Senator Stevens said cordially.
as, looking up, he saw the newspaper
man approaching. Senator Peabody,
you know Haines, don't you? The
brightest young correspondent In
Washington"
Senator Peabody of Pennsylvania
the leading power In the upper house,
was a man Of commanding character
and OF strong personality. The fact
he used these attributes to advance IN
the senate the financial interests of
himself, of Standard Steel and other
commercial organizations met with
very little protest In Washington. That
he deserved the title frequently used
In referring to him, boss of the SEN
ate." none would deny who had knowl-
edge Of the inner workings Of the SEN
ate and the various committees.
Senator Peabody was very affable to
the reporters, especially to those of
Haines' stamp, who had never accept
ed any favors from him and who op-
posed his methods. He aimed to win
the friendship of these opponents by
diplomacy-as he had found that re-
porters Of the Haines sort could not
be Influenced by money. He consid-
cred reporter who would take bribe
as a constructive, conservative member
Of society and frequently regretted
that so many of the correspondents
sent to Washington could not be
bought nor had bills they wanted pass
ed or defeated. He extended his hand
to Haines as Stevens concluded and
said warmly:
"of course know the representative
Of the Morning Star! How do you do,
Haines?"
81 wonder If we're not all here on
the same errand," suggested the news.
paper man.
Senator Peabody appeared to be all
candor.
"We came TO call on Senator Lang
don, Senator Stevens new colleague"
he said.
Bud Haines opened his eyes wide.
"By Jove, Langdon stock is going up
when the chairman of the naval CON-
mittee drops in to welcome him"
"You see, Langdon went in on O
naval base platform" explained Ste
vens. "Our section of the south Is
red hot In favor Of the government
spending its naval base appropriation
right there"
Certainly" interrupted Haines
but
"And, there being a vacancy on the
committee on naval affairs" continued
Stevens, whose dignity was offended
by the reporters interruption, 'ths
| friends of Senator Langdon are work
ing to have him appointed on that
committee, because he comes from the
state where the naval base will be
located and will, like myself, be more
familiar with the availability Of the
various sites suggested than a mar
| from another state"
Haines nodded.
"Yes, Of course. What towns g0inf
| to get 1t, senator?
Senator Stevens paused judiciously.
"Well." he said. "Altacoola and Gull
| CITY are the chief candidates. / sup
pose you had better talk to Langdor
about It."
The reporter smiled.
"That's lust what ! came for, sen
ator, but l have to go up to the wal
department now. When Senator Lang
don comes will you be kind enough t
tell him | want to interview himr
Stevens bowed cordially.
sIndeed shall. I'll tell him he's II
luck to have the smartest young mai
| in washington on the job"
.'All right" laughed Bud, "only don
make it SO strong that he won't recog
nize me when he sees me. Goo
day." And he hurried away to keep
belated appointment.
"Clever boy" said Stevens as til
newspaper man disappeared.
The boss Of the senate agreed.
ayes, only I'm not sure it's goo
thing for a newspaper man to be to
clever. Spoils his usefulness. Make
| him ask too many confounded quei
tions."
| Stevens acquiesced, for 1t woul
never do to disagree with the boss.
.1t's very kind Of you, SENATOR h
beean. changing the subject, ito com
with me to welcome the new senate
| from my state, my old friend and co
league"
| An inscrutable smile-a smile, yet
cold ne-accompanied Peabodys al