Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1910-11-25

circle Of the Gotham Freight Traction
company"
well. 1t doesn't seem to me that's q
very difficult proposition said Liifey.
We've got the board OF aldermen,
and the borough presidents as well.
All we've got to do is to draw up an
ordinance and shove 1t through. The
mayor hore'll sign It, and that'll be
the end of it."
1T is by no means as easy AS you
think. Liffey," said Haldane. IF
know anything about Gormly he'll
make fight on that issue. That is
our weak point If we had that fran
chise safely passed and in our peck
cts. we could laugh at him. l don't
know whether 1t would not be better
to defer the passage Of such an ordi-
nance until after the election"
II think that while there is much
In what you say. Haldane," said Van
Slyke. yet we'd better make sure of
the ordinance before the election.
We would have that, anyway, even II
we failed, which, as Mr.. Liffey says,
is hardly possible"
Gentlemen" said Haldane, II am
by no means convinced OF what you
say. tell you that the main fight
will be on the disposal Of that very
franchise. ! admit that we can pass
anything in spite of any connections.
but the question is do we want IT,"
That's hardly the question said
Mcdonald. "Of course we want It;
but the question is, is It the best
thing to do. think there is tremend-
Gus force In your arguments, Mr.. Hal
dane If we present ourselves with
that franchise, which is 30 immensely
pletion Of our properties, as well as TO
the public, we shall certainly have
given to the opposition the strongest
ground for appeal to the people. II
we do not present ourselves with the
franchise, II we allow the election to
determine that unoficially as 1t were,
and then when we have won the cleo
ton, we avail ourselves Of our oppor-
tunities, we shall be in much safer
and better position"
DO you wish to submit this fran
chise to the vote of the people. Mr..
McRonald?" asked Rutherford
"By no MEANS" answered the finan-
cier.
We'll, what do you propose them"
This Would 1t not be well, in
case this movement grows strong
enough to be worthy of the attention
we are giving It, TO declare as from
the party in power that while we have
the power to grant the franchise, and
while we think Il would be for the
interests Of the people that 1t should
be granted. yet we are willing to de-
fer action until after the election and
let the election determine"
That would be wise course" said
Haldane. IT don't know but that 1t is
the wisest course; but we must face
the alternative"
What Is thatr'
ton, and then were defeated, II
would be impossible for us to secure
the franchise The stock of the
Gotham Freight Traction company is
$3.50, 100000 and the bonds outstant
ing aggregate almost as much. If
we don't have this franchise. they
won't be worth ten cents on the dollar
to u.s."
How much actual money has been
invested in the concern" asked the
district attorney.
Two hundred and fifty millions
from the people, and-very little
else" answered Haldane.
How much is It really WORTH"
queried Liffey.
It's worth. of course. what was
put into it."
And what win its earning capacity
be?"
IF we control IT, it will pay fair
Tivtde-s - ~ 49, rA0~r 49, hos