Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-07-20

Freight Traction company. have
never allowed myself to be robbed; ]
have never been beaten by trickery
and chicanery; and ! don't propose t.
be robbed or beaten now"
Ruin, absolute ruin. is before you,'
said the other earnestly, IF you en-
gage In this contest.
But sir. they are trying to hold me
up--to use blunt phrase-for mil
lion dollars for a thing that should
not be worth tenth of that amount
on a liberal basis. Morally"
Morals. my dear Mr.. Gormly, some
how seem to have little to do with
business. You must do what they
like, Or"
He shrugged his shoulders.
I'VE shall see," said Gormly. Il be
lieve, though | am not student Of
military history, that an able general
is one who takes advantage of the
mistakes Of the enemy. and that more
battles are won by such sharp sighted
endeavor than by deliberate plan.
ming"
Precisely This 10 case in point
The Gotham Freight Traction com.
parry is taking advantage of your mis-
take"
But | have also heard continued
Gormly imperturably. that the ablest
general is he who not only takes ad-
vantage OF his enemys mistakes but
who turns his own mistakes to good
account. | propose to antagonize the
party in power and the Sachem. which
granted this franchise and delivered
alton and to drive them out"
Many men have tried that; none
in my recollection have succeeded"
THE more honor in succeeding now,
and the more inspiration to try"
But suppose you did succeed, what
then? How would that affect the
Gotham Freight Traction company"
Meanwhile" said Gormly, and in
this instance he deliberately laid all
his cards on the table. II propose to
take advantage OF the one blunder OF
the Gotham Freight Traction COM
pany."
"And what is thatg' asked Hal
dane with intense eagerness. There
was no longer the faintest pretense
between these two His cards were
on the table as well, although he had
not admitted it.
In order to make the franchise of
the Gotham Freight Traction company
really of value, to complete the sys.
TEN. without which 1t begins and ends
In the air, they must have the old
New York Street Car company fran
chise which expires next spring. II
covers the only available routes and
the only available streets to connect
the two ends of the Gotham enter
prise. Somehow or other the astute
minds controlling the corporation
failed to secure the renewal of this
franchise. 1t has to be voted upon
and passed In the spring"
The present administration" was
the quick reply. will be in power I'M
til the April elections. The franchise
expires in March. No re-grant of it
could be made until then 1t will be
renewed before a new administration
could supplant the old, even II your
wild dreams were successful"
THAT is to be seen,' answered
Gormly coolly.
'My dear sir. 1t is self evident"
by no means. Public opinion shall
be aroused on the question of the re-
ncwal OF the franchise of the New
York Street Car company, with clear
explanation OF the principles and CON
sequences involved, to such an extent
that do not believe any administra-
tion on earth will dare to counter It."
"And who will do this arousing?"
Il will"
How"
by offering myself as a candidate
for mayor of New York and by fight
ing the battle on that issue, and that
alone"
Il might" said Haldane slowly, aft
err deeply thoughtful moment-'T
might secure the privileges you desire
conditioned"
II Cont desire them now, Mr.. Hal
dane." returned Gormly. 81 am In the
battle to stay. l ask nothing from the
Gotham Freight Traction company; 1t
can confer no favors upon me. shall
take what | am entitled to by the
grace of God and the will of the peo-
pie"
Haldane stared long time at the
dark, determined face of his host.
you will make splendid enemy.
Mr.. Gormly." he said at last. The
battle between you and the Traction
company will be one worth going a
long distance to see."
Haldane looked fixedly at the young
er man. He acknowledged that in
him the Gotham Freight Traction
company and he himself had found the
worthiest antagonist that the abund-
ant and brilliant talent of the great
metropolis could produce.
At that instant the tall clock in the
hall struck the hour of ~.
Il have the honor" said Gormly.
bowling formally, ito wish you very
Merry Christmas. Mr.. Haldane."
GRO BE CoNTINUED)