Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1910-10-07

that II will be to the Gotham Freight
Traction company. which. believe, Is
a very worthy concern. DESTROYS OF
minding its own business and exploit
ing Its own properties. think my
self. viewing the situation impartial
ly, that you have been hardly dealt
with don't want to see the affair
advance any farther. for the credit
of the community. Suppose we
say Ave hundred thousand dollars
for the connections and nothing moro
to appear about 1t In the public
press?"
rs this" burst out Gormiy
quickly. rs this compromise you
are offering?"
Il am offering nothing" returned
Haldane lightly, almost indifferentiy-
II am not in position to offer anything
As | stated to you. am simply citi-
zen who wants to see this unpleasant
matter removed from the papers.
where such things are discussed by
Incorporate writer's without any real
comprehension of the issues involved
and offer as the friend OF my friends.
and, II may so call myself. an your
friend, TO bring you two together"
You are not empowered to make
such a propositiong'
Certainly not" was the specious
answer. Il simply take advantage of
the fortunate chance that gives me the
privilege OF your acquaintance to do
IN hs t,anA r..
tant public service"
"And you have no personal interest
In the matters''
Il have already assured yon as to
that
IL will not accept any such offer,
| II II should be made me by authority.
| will not pay a single cent over and
above the actual cost OF building the
switches and proper and reasonable
amount for the privilege OF the con-
nection."
"of course, you must make your
own decision. In that case. however.
fear you will never get the switches"
Il am quite sure that before ] get
through l shall have not only the
switches. but"
Gormly paused, and looked his com
panion hard and directly In the face.
But whatr" said Haldane. Ticking
the ashes from his cigar daintiiy, and
speculatively watching the blue curl
| OF smoke that rose languidiy from its
end In the air.
Gor1nly thought quickly. He was
not now deceived by the well assumed
| Indifference of Haldane. He was con
| WINGED that there was something back
| of It; that the relation of Haldane to
| the whole affair was more than a
| mere casual one; that Haldane had
not told him the plain, unvarnished
| truth.
"Well, Mr.. Haldane. will be frank
with you. not only intend to have
| my track connection, but intend to-
have the Gotham Freight Traction
company az 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 a ninety
nine.year franchise with the privilege
| OF renewal that Its promoters In
| cIude some of the ablest flnanciers In
| the city,"
Much OF what you say Is matter
| of public notoriety. You have given
me, however, some information that
| / 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"
II do"
This Is most interesting. 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. take it. never
mingled In Wall street, never dealt
on the exchange?"
Never. ! didn't mean to, either"
How then do you expect to obtain
control of such corporation as this,
especially when it has back OF it the
| city government as well as the Sach-
| EN- society?"
The question was one Gormly could
have declined to answer without a
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 be spoke,
| Haldane continued:
You are, take it, a wealthy man:
but no single man could command the
resources Of this corporation; 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 pow
er in this country greater than the