The San Francisco call., 1910-07-23
The lnsider
Tells how the president of
a Japanese steamship
line received Harriman's
proposal to purchase
vessels.
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his way to the
orient, is not likely to call upon Presi-
dent Asano of the. Togo Kisen Kaisha.
This, however, is not so much on ac-
count of the pending divorce between
the Pacific Mail and Toyo Kisen
kaisha, but rather because the recol-
lection of his last visit to Asano's Of
flee is still a bitter memory It will
not cheer Schwerin much to recall the
circumstances, but narration of what
happened might soothe the ruffied feel
ings of the prominent citizens. who, at
different times. have cooled their heels
In the waiting room outside the office
of the vice president and general man
ager of the Pacific Mail company.
Schwerin made the trip in company
with the late E. H. Hartman. and
when they arrived in Yokohama
| Schwerin sent word to Asano that Mr..
| Hartman was in the city and would
be pleased to see him at his hotel. In
reply there came a polite letter from
Asano's secretary to the effect that Mr..
| Schwerin had shown by his message
/ that he knew where Mr.. Asano's Office
was located and that if Mr.. Hartman
wished to see him the president of the
| Japanese line would receive him at a
certain hour on date about three days
] later.
| The interview with AsanO being a
business necessity the visitors accepted
the little brown magnate's ultimatum
with the best grace they could muster,
and at the appointed hour presented
themselves at Asano's office.
A polite little Japanese secretary
greeted Hartman with smile and a
few bows and at once ushered him into
| Asano's presence. Schwerin started to
| follow, but found his way blocked by
the little chap who had showed Har-
| riman in.
Excuse, If you please said the Jap
| anese with a bow, but have you an
appointment with Mr.. Asano?"
Certainly / have I'm with Mr.
Hartman protested r. p, I'm Mr.
Schwerin."
VERY sorry" replied the Jap. 'but
Mr.. Asanos engagement was with Mr.
Hartman. Please take a seat and
wait"
And Schwerin waited.
|
Meanwhile Hartman, inside, was not
having very happy time. When they
returned to this country the two trav-
elers announced that Asano had of
fered to buy the Pacific Mail steamers
but that Mr.. Hartman, from patriotic
motives, had refused to consider the
proposition. This is what did happen
ASK Mr.. Asano," said Hartman to the
l. ~. -
all his steamers Tell him to name
his price and I'll buy them now, just
as they stand.
piled that his steamers were not fol
sale,
"All right" snapped Hartman, q
guess the stocks for sale
1t is," replied Asano, ito a certain
point If you have any idea of getting
control of the Toyo Kisen Kaisha il
that way l might as we'll tell you now
that hold the controlling interest, ant
that my stock is not on the market
The other business that had taker
Hartman there was then discussed
and at the conclusion of the interview
Hartman said goodby and started fol
the door. Before he had left the room
the interpreter called him back.
''Mr. Asano wants to know he said
"how much you will take for the Pa
cific- Mail company"
AS Asano, who sat there with grin
smile on his face, looked as if he
meant it, Hartman explained that hi
would have to consult the stock hold
ers before he could discuss the matter
"All right" said Asano, you find oh
what they want and / guess we cal
raise the money. Glad to have me
you, Mr.. Hartman.