The labor world., 1909-12-11
TIE only thing that coud be done. You
have trusted my Judgment. I had to


keep us busy for a year: II we con
trolled the patents they were obliged
to give us the contracts. There was
no competition. you see. and then our
price. to the government leaves us a
vsry..fair profit even after this big roy
atty IS paid. p. =: >'tt: =. ~
xpurant shook his head.
,5.''l2enily ,5' wise pound foolish. l think
itsEdWard. TO make a profit we have
tochnrge the government tremen-
douss price that doesn't help our future
! business. II will give us black eye
| when we want work next time" Il
F|e,,@: We'll. I'm sorry. sir" said Pinckney
apologetically. Il was working only
for. the best. l wanted to insure our
contract with the government As it
Its, yoll see, We do not begin work for
1 two months, and there'll be lot OF
lSwire pulling and hauling first" (S
+. Dur.>t nodded. .~ y .<.;:<,.., -,
4: Eyes. if they find a gun they like
better they can countermand our or.
t.der.'' : h: ~ 3 =
y Pinckney, hesitated. He felt he had
to 60 cautiously, but 1t would not do
to let Mr.. Durant guess his hand.
f. "Yes." he said slowly, this fellow
:Sommers is here to have gun forged
that he's invented. He's got some pull
at Washington. I'm certain Of that
= Don't see what difference that
makes" replied the steel man. =
E: "Oh." protested the manager, "sup-
pose after they test the, Sommers gun
they give it preference over the Rhine.
l.:strom gun and countermand our or.
der. :; >,..
Durant nodded. pleased.
| q II wish they would" he said. 1--WE
could still get the business and not
gouge the government. Sommers is an
officer in the navy and can claim no
royalty. It would reduce the cost of
every twelve inch gun $4,000"
! Pinckney bowed in agreement, then
suggested:
! 'You are partly right, Mr.. Durant,
but If they took his gun there would
be no certainty about our getting the
order. We would have to compete in
the open. and some one might under
| bid u.s.
i 1--WE can't help that,' replied his
chief. SIS Sommers' gun better than
| ours ?"
!: Pinckney looked up Indignantly.
T. "Of conrse not" be exclaimed, |but
Sommers has influence, and l do not
trust him. l think he'd be capable of
any dirty trick to have our gun turned
| down."
| { Durant laid his hand on the young
managers arm in kindly fashion.
:. Nov, now, Edward" he said mean.
hgly. II like your enthusiasm; it's
good for the business, but you must
| not let your enthusiasm lead you to
foolish hatred. This young Sommers
seems to me to be a very decent sort
! Of young fellow. I never saw him be-
fore tonight, but was quite favorably
impressed. Frances also seems to like
him very much" @s.s-
y $50 you've noticed that, too. ..shave
Jou?" sneered the manager !. rs
| ;. Frances father looked up sharply.
! ."Yes: have your. he asked.
Again Pinckney hesitated. It was
time for careful work now. He could
not afford to make an open rupture or
! say anything about a direct explana-
tion, SO he began using all his diplo-
! macy, suggesting by look and gesture
rather than by open accusation what
he meant. ! -. .r-s il. ,,-~
Eyes, I have noticed it, Mr.. Durant," !"
4he nd. II hoped 1 was mistaken.
would hate to see anything like that,
because you know my interest in ev-
! erything that concerns you, and par
ticularly in Frances" he hesitated
for a moment, wondering just how to
go1on. 4 14. ..,.
y Yes. L understand your interest, -
said Durant kindly. Il understand
that.
i Thank you. SIR" exclaimed Pipck-
;ney gratefully. You know, then, how
.hayd it is for me to see her associated
with such fellow as Sommers and
what blow it would be If he were to
make her fond Of him" n
Durant looked at the younger man
keenly. ~
I s|soOfyOU lACdu tuC&S SA4A8
against this young fellow" he asked
"any reason why Frances should avoid
him?" ..sTs',. g:>c>a.. p
I'D rather not say, Mr.. Durant :"
hesitated Pinckney: =: :.
/ Durant was straightforward old
fighter who liked to have people come
right out. e.. ..s....s, l.. H.
"If you: can't say right out why do
you intimate. Edward :" he demanded
I sternly. II don't like people who beat
about the bush. II you have any thing
on this young fellow. come right out
and say so. Be PREPARED to prove it
and don't beat about the bush and
| suggest all sorts Of things against him
merely because he's paying attention
to Frances IS .35. .,..ss7 4, ..s e
zsPinckney rose and drew himself up
to his full height. .ssll .@ 5.%.sz as&.
TIN very sorry, Mr.. Durant, that
/ you should think me capable Of such a
thing he said with dignity. II
Z; fIsnn1hf NV ynfcroat 81 vwas frn5 ,u,o1i