The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-11-20

The element of surprise large. He banked on the
unexpected, and fresh from the wild north, his mind
not operating in stereoyped channels he was able in
unusual degree TO devise tricks and stratagems
And once he the advantage he pressed it remorse-
lessly. AS relentless a red Indian was said OF
him. and it said truly
On the other hand, he was known as square" His,
word was good his bond and this despite the fact
that he accepted nobodys word. He always SHE'D at
propositions based on gentlemens agreements. and
man who Ventured bis honor q gentleman in deal
ing with Daylight inevitably was treated to an un.
pleasant time Daylight never gave his own word
unless he held the whip hand. 1t a case with the
other fellow Of taking it or nothing
Legitimate investment had place IN Daylight's
play 1t tied up his money and reduced the element
of risk 1t the gambling side of business that
fascinated him. and to play in his slaShing manner re-
quired that his money must be ready hand 1t was
never tied up for short intervals for be was prn
eipally engaged in turning it and over raidng
here there and everywhere yeritable pirate of the
financial main. five per cent safe investment had
no attraction for him, but to risk millions In a sharp
harsh sirmish, standing to lose everything or to win
fifty or hundred per cent was the SAVIOR of life to
him. He played according TO the rules Of the game.
but he played merciessly. When be got man or a
corporation down and they squealed he gouged less
hard Appeals for financial mercy fell on deaf ears.
He was free lance and had no friendly business asso
Citations Such alliances as were formed from tine
TO time were purely affairs of expedency and he re.
garded his allies as men who would give him the
double cross or ruin him If profitable chance pre-
sented In spite of this point of view ne was faith
full to his allies But he faithful just as long as
they were and no longer The treason had to come
from them and then IL was ware DavIiebt
The business men and fnancers of the Pacific coast
never forgot the lesson OF Charles Klnkner and the
California and Altamont Trust Company. Klinkner
was the president In partnership with Daylight the
pair raided the San Jose Interurban. The powerful
Lake Power and Electric Lighting corporation came
TO the rescue. and Klinkner seeing what he thought
was the opportunity went over TO the enemy in the
thick Of the pitched battle Daylight lost three mill
ions before he was done with it, and before he was
done With ii he saw the California and Altamont Trust
Company hOpelesSly wrecked and Charles Klinkner
suicide in feOn's cell. Not only did Daylight lose
his grip on San Jose lnterurban but in the crash of
his battle front he lost heavily all along the line Ii
was conceded by those competent TO Judge that he
could have compromised and saved much But in.
stead he deliberately threw up the battle with San
Jose Interurban and Lake Power and apparently de-
feated, with Napoeonie suddenneSS struck at Klink
1t was the last unexpected thing Klinkner would
have dreamed OF, and Daylight knew IT. He knew
further, that the California and Altamont Trust Com
pany an intrnscaly sound institution, but that
just then it was in precarous condition, due 10
Klnkners speculations with its money He knew
alSO that In a few months the trust company would
be firmly its feet than ever thanks to those
same speculaons, and that If he were to strike he
must strike Immediately. Its just that much money
in pocket and whole lot MORE" he was reported TO
have said in connection with his heavy losses Its
just much insurance against the future Hence
forth men who go in with me on deals will think
twice before they try to double cross me- and then
some"
The reason for his savageness was that he despised
the men with whom he played. He had conviction
that not one in hundred of them was ntrinslcally
square, and as for the square be prophesed that
playing in a crooked game they sure to lose and
In the long go broke
Daylight was philosophical but not philosopher
He had never read the books. He was hard headed
practical man, and furthest from him any inten
ton Of ever reading the books He had lived In the
simple, where books not necessary for an under
standing Of life, and life In the complex appeared
just as simple BE saw through its frauds and ctions
and found 1t as elemental on the Yukon Men were