The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1911-08-04

great deal of thinking around here. -
first thought II was Mr.. Breed. but now
/ know that he hires his thinking.
Breed himself was the first TO ac-
knowledge by chuckle the truth or
this remark.
81 used to have to do II myself when
I was poor" he admitted. but that
is not the way to success. You can't
get rich that way any more than you
can by performing all your own man
ual labor. My success is built on an un-
usual ability to discover men who can
think for me. But you two go ahead
and exchange your dreams; l am in
terested."
81 have no objection to telling mine."
said Kelvin. II want to do little
trust busting"
1--WE tried it. and that's why I'm
here" laughed Rollins Trust bust
ing. with absolute control of every
mile of railroad in the United States.
is the easiest thing in the world. Ray
mer, Speed. Melton Sears & Co and
all the others have been making life
burden to me. Strangely enough.
they don't want to be drawn and quar-
tered" ~t
81 hate them, every one" suddenly
snapped Breed. "A dozen times they
tried to gobble me up in the early
days. l have their photographs, too.
waiting to be checked of"
Wen let you check them off by and
by" replied Rollins. 'They are Grip
pied now. but it was task. Even
with all my experience i didn't appre-
ciate the full extent of the private
car graft. 1t was a colossal trick.
serving merely as disguise for ex-
| cessive and absurd rebates"
"Wel. you stopped It," Kelvin con-
soled him.
"Yes. stopped It," admitted Rollins,
with a sigh. land the next thing that
happened had all the big packers on
my neck"
THE only way to forget the attacks
of the packers suggested Kelvin, lis
to attack the other monopolies. Ham,
string them the first stroke"
Good" said Rollins. with relief.
ats pleasure to find that we want
the same thing without argument. It's
| simple enough. I've merely to estab-
lish my fiat freight rate without undue
reduction for quantity and without re-
bate. thus giving the small shipper an
equal chance with the big one. The
interstate commerce law may then go
out Of commission, for we will do the
same work which 1t was designed to
do. but in which it failed"
Kelvin and Breed exchanged glances.
Don't misunderstood me-" went on
Rollins. II consider the trusts as much
product of natural law as the attrac-
ton of gravitation. but where they at
tain TO stupendous fairness merely on
abuses they cease to fulfill the need
which brought them into existence.
The greatest abuse of which the mo-
nopolies have been guilty is in trans
portation. Probably more than half Of
the freight carried is shipped by large
corporations, nearly every ton Of 1t be-
ing subject to rebate or drawback
of some sort, and this drain on the
railroads, amounting to millions every
year. must be made up by the small
shippers. can lower the present os-
tensible cost Of transportation on
fat rate basis and make more money
for our stockholders"
Breed looked at Kelvin inquiringly.
Phillip nodded his head.
IL have been over some of the fig
ures." said Breed. THE aggregate is
appalling. but l am afraid that. after
all, we shall he compelled to allow GER
tain concessions in certain places"
Rollins turned slightly pale. II have
been waiting for that remark" he said,
"but I want you to understand that
there will be no concession of any sort.
One exception | grant you. and that is
the secret rebate on Mr.. Breeds bread,
wheat and cereal shipments, which
was agreed upon in the first place;
other than that. absolutely none.
propose to manage these united rail-
roads unhampered or l propose to Gre
ate such a stencil that public opinion
will revolt at the next stockholders
meeting and you will be utterly un-
able to secure proxies. Without prox-
les you have no railroad domination"
Again Breed and Kelvin exchanged
glances. Again Phillip nodded his
head
"YOu are quite right in your conten-
ton, Mr.. Rollins" admitted Kelvin.
But you misunderstood us. We don't
intend to interfere with your absolute
control. We do hope. however, to have
you see that our way of planning is
right Until then we shall not even
bother you with advice. In the mean
time promulgate your fat rate sheet
and We'll stand behind you"
Rollins studied the matter over for
some time. Every WELL" said he. "I
think that I shall remain at Forest
Lakes for month or so. l had Just
rs lief have the avalanche of protests
ZONE to me here as in New York. 1
understand by this that you will mel
her promise nor attempt to make any
to these people"
Absolutely none." declared Kelvin.
Wen give you our bond on that"
"Your word is enough at present"
'eplied Rollins dryly. "If you win
tnI~ a. h. u-Ak-