Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1911-09-21
CHAPTER iX-Continued.

What does it cover?" asked the
mayor.
at covers pretty much every avail
able route by which we can connect
the ends of the traction company"
How much territory"
ooh, mile or a mile and a half, /
should say; but every possible right Of
way is included in the franchise"
And if we don't get it?"
Somebody else will get it. of
course. He will build the connections,
and hold US up for anything that he
wants"
But it will be no good to anybody
else without what we've got" suggest
ed Van Slyke.
True; but we have got several hun
dred millions involved and cant adopt
a do-nothing policy Probably ten
millions or even less will cover the
expenses required by rebuilding IN
der the old or new franchise, and that
ten million has us by the throat"
1t should be easy for five hundred
millions to freeze out ten" said
Rutherford.
Under other circumstances it would
not be at all difficult" answered Hal
dane; but the people are to be con
stdered in this case. This road was
built as a public convenience and,
gentlemen, 1t has to be run
This is a hell of a fix for men as
smart as you to git yourselves inT"
said Liffey AS I take it. we can
secure the franchise or we can make
its future grant the issue of the cam
paign; and il we win, pass it then;
and if we fail, take our medicine"
You've stated it exactly"
For myself, I'm in favor of grab
bling the franchise now" said the
boss. 1T means money. Moneys
what we're here for. The object of
politics is money for the crowd that's
in. The aim of the 'crowd that's out
is to sit in so they can git the
money. With money we can buy
votes; with votes we can get office;
with Office and money we can get
immunity from the consequences.
Even if we're beaten by the mayor,
We'll still have the district attorney,
We'll still have the police force. I'll
still be here; so will you, Mr.. Hal
dane And therefore, rather'n take
any risk, ! move that the franchise be
renewed as soon as it expires. and
that the grant be made to the Gotham
Freight Traction company. I'd rather
have something substantial than play
for a chance any time. I guess we
wouldn't suffer any therefore, no mat
ter what happened. Besides. all it'd
mean would be q wait for four years.
These reform movements always get
tired Of themselves, and then one or
the other of the old parties comes in.
Wen be the one"
Il am inclined to believe that much
of Mr.. Liffey's contention is sound -
said Van Slyke at last.
Well. gentlemen" said HaIdane.
What do you all think about it?"
lets get what we can" said the
mayer
And keep all we've got" added
Cornell.
Very well then" said Haldane. $50
be it. We are united upon a non
partisan ticket which we can select
pre- entity, with Warren at the head
of it, Mr.. Liffey will see Mr.. Benson
and induce his cooperation. Mr.. Con
nell will investigate Mr.. GormIy's
career. Mr.. Rutherford will arrange
70 have the franchise renewed as soon
as it is possible to do so. Mr.. War
rem will at once announce himself as
a candidate for reelection. Messrs.
Liffey, Habberley. and ConneH will
get their forces in line. And I think
that's all'
Not quite Mr., Haldane," said Lift
fey.
What else?"
You'll sit the barrel open for the
necessary expenses of the cam
paign?"
Quite so" said Haldane. dryly.
You may depend upon us to do what
is proper; Ell, gentlemen?"
Van Slyke and Mcdonald nodded.
4 think we've done a pretty good