The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-01

 Discourtesy is bad business, and costly, too.''
 The architect had been looking carefully at the frames into which the safes had been set and was inclined to think Rob- bins' idea might be correct
 But carefully as the architect studied the frame problem Robbins studied the architect more carefully, and when the architect finally acknowledged that the rigid frames had much to do with foul Ing the safes Robbins was ready. My, dear sir,'' said he, you're an honest man or you would not make that | acknowledgement"
 The architect modestly accepted the compliment.
 But" added Robbins, "there is one | thing you should do in justice to yourself and to all concerned. My company put the safes in this building. All the trade knows that. If the award is made for the l safes in the annex without us having even | a chance to bid 1t practically will mean I that you have found our safes so poor that you would not have them in the new structure. This argument would be used | by our competitors and would cost us a | great amount of business. We could not 1 -efute 1t. You appreciate now that your | former view of all the fault being with cur safes is not correct am sure you do not want to be unjust to us. This con- | tract you are to let is the biggest the safe business has ever known. We are the biggest safe concern in, the world and Cur safes are the best made. The great millionaire who is building this structure wants the best, even in the matter of | safes You want the best. It is only fair to him, to you and to my company that we should have a chance to bid' But the bids are all in. I am to open | them today" argued the architect Hold them over long enough to permit me to put in a bid,,' urged Robbins. Tt is too late.' said the architect, look ing at his watch. "The time is up. It's Il o'clock That was the time announced for closing the bids
 Robbins felt the architect was too firmly set on this point to be swayed by argu- ment just then. There was need of di- version. There was urgent need of keep
  whose head had bowed as if in disappoint- ment, suddenly straightened up. and, turning a smiling face to the architect, said well, my friend. my trip to Pitts burg has not been altogether failure. haven't had a chance to bid, but think I have made you think better of my com pany. Now. ' am gong to ask you to come to luncheon with me- "No, no,' said the architect 'I cannot accept an invitation from you under the circumstances, but you come and have luncheon with me-
 Say" said Robbins laughingly. '1et us be real sporty and go 'Dutchr"
 All right. I'll go you." said the archl- tect
 Robbins is delightful talker, but he did not have a word to say about the annex or the safe contract at that lunch con Once or twice the architect looked ct his watch, but he did not make move to get up. The men found they had a good deal in common and became real sociabie. The architect made some in- quries about Robbins career, and Rob bins told him some of his trials and his triumphs. He told him, too. of his ex- perience in the Philadelphia office and he did not omit the vicious nagging of the vice president. As he gave some illus trations of the pettiness of that official the architect stopped him. ssf
 Whats that mans manner" the archi- l test asked. +e
 Robbins told him.
 The architect brought his fist down hard on the table, That's the brute who has been writing me the letters told you about" he said
 The architect pondered few moments and then he looked his companion full | in the eye. ftAs- "Robbins.' he said, T like, you l thought when you asked me to luncheon that you meant to employ the time trying to get me to change my mind, but you haven't said word about, the annex or the contract. I like the way you put 1t up to mo this morning about nay error It was the right thing to do. and 1t was a manly way in which you did 1t. think have . lingering bit of feeling against your company. and I'm sure have against that vice president of yours, but just to show you what think of you and your efforts to get this contract I'm going to hold of the opening of the bids ai hours. and I'll give you chance to mt in A tender ]" as'