The Irish standard., 1910-10-08

of it; that the relation of Haldane to Y
the whole affair was more than
mere casual one; that Haldane had
not told him the plain, unvarnished
truth. 4s
"Wen, Mr.. Haldane, will be frank
with you. not only intend to have
my track connection, but intend to-
have the Gotham Freight Traction
company as WE'LL"
"My dear sir!" said Haldane gently,
not turning hair before this astound-
ing declaration. "Are you aware that
the bonds of the Gotham Freight Trac-
ton company are two hundred and
fifty million dollars; that stock for
twice as much more has been issued
and sold and is already at premium;
that 1t is in the enjoyment of ninety
nine-year franchise with the privilege
of renewal; that It's promoters in
clude some of the ablest financiers in
the city,"
Much of what you say is matter
of public notoriety. You have given
me, however, some information that
l did not possess and which is of val
ue," said Gormly quietly.
Haldane did not acknowledge the
touch, though he WINGED inwardly at
it.
"And yet you speak," he went on,
"of controlling the company"
Il do"
This is most interesting. l am Gu.
rious to know how you propose to do
It?
"The business that you have built up
is evidence of your capacity in that
line; but you have, I take 1t, never
mingled in Wall street, never dealt
on the exchange?"
Never. l didn't mean to, either"
How then do you expect to obtain
control Of such a corporation as this
especially when it has back of it the
city government as we'll as the Sach
EN- society,""
The question was one Gormly could
have declined to answer without Q
moments hesitation without giving
any offense, for 1t was one that Hal.
dane had no right to ask. He thought
deeply, If swiftly and before he spoke,
0aldane continued:
"You are, take 1t, wealthy man;
but no single man could command the
resources of this corporations; that is,
no single man outside of those few who
are In it." he went on, and 1t would
be sheer madness for you to attempt
It,"
"Mr. Haldane," said Gormly, coming
to another conclusion, there Is a pow
er In this country greater than the
money power"
And what may that be, sir?"
THE power of the people,"
In this instance, the people are al
ready on the side of the Gotham
Freight Traction company"
Are they so?"
Certainly. Through their represen-
tatives they have voted them q fran
chise under which the line has been
constructed and by which it is opcr-
ated, through the provisions of which
1t will be held"
Have the people surrendered their
rights absolutely to the Gotham
Freight Traction company"
Il should say that they had"
"Are they delivered, bound hand
and foot, to this corporation?"
well, you put 1t rather POLITICALLY;
but in substance your remark is true"
"And have they no" redress or re-
course?"
Certainly"
And what Is that"
II haven't the slightest objection to
telling you. They can revoke the
franchise-at the expiration Of the
ninety-nine-year term"
rs that all they can do?"
Absolutely all. You see, therefore,
1t would be quite hopeless for you to
attempt to fight this corporation, even
with the alliance and support of the
people, which 1t 10 by no means GER
tain you could gain"
And that is your unprejudiced opin.
ion?"
1T is. Therefore 1 urge upon you
the acceptance of my offer to mediate
between you and them"
And you say your interest is purely
impersonal?"
Entirely"
II am glad, as I said before. to
know that" returned Gormly, DE
cause l should not like to find myself
in opposition to one who has mani
tested such friendliness to me as you
have"
Haldane looked up suspiciously;
but Gormlys appearance was abso-
lutely guileless.
"For Notwithstanding what you tell
me-" the merchant continued, "all Of
which is doubtless true, propose to
enter the contest with the Gotham
Freight Traction company. 1 have
never allowed myself to be robbed; l
have never been beaten by trickery
and chicanery; and don't propose to
be robbed or beaten now"
Ruin, absolute ruin. Is before you,"
said the other earnestly. III you en-
gage in this contest.
But sir, they are trying to hold mo