The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1911-12-12

any information you may acquire
should be submitted to those Of US |
who are present before any use II
made of It."
"Oh that, Of course" said Liffey. |
Chief. don't make any moves without
submitting them to me-"
There Is still another matter OF
interest tn US all which must be set
tied" continued Haldane.
whats that?"
The old franchise of the New York
Street Car company that expires this
spring; the link that completes the
circle of the Gotham Freight Traction
company"
We'll, 1t doesn't seem to me that's .
very difficult proposition" said Lihey.
We've got the board Of aldermen.
and the borough presidents as we'll
All we've got to do is to draw up an
ordinance and shove 1t through The
mayor here'l sign 1t, and thatn be
the end OF It,"
1T Is by no means as easy as you
think, Liffey." said Haldane. If
know anything about Gormly he'll
make a fight on that issue. That IL
our weak point II we had that fran
chise safely passed and in our peck
cts. we could laugh at him. l don't
know whether 1t would not be better
to defer the passage Of such an ordi-
nance until after the election"
Il think that while there is much
, In what you say. Haldane." said Van
, Slyke. yet we'd better make sure OF
the ordinance before the election
We would have that. anyway, even II
we failed. which, as Mr.. Ltffey says
, is hardly possible"
, Gentlemen" said Haldane, Il am
BY no means convinced of what you
say l tell you that the main fight
!, will be on the disposal OF that very
franchise. l admit that we can pass
anything In spite OF any commotionA
but the question is do we want It,"
That's hardly the question" said
j.. Mcdonald. "Of course we want It:
but the question Is. Is 1t the best
., thing to do. l think there is tremend
:. GUS force in your arguments. Mr.. Hal
= dane. II we present ourselves with
:, that franchise, which Is so immensely
: valuable and vital indeed to the com
pletion of our properties. as we'll as t.
. the public. we shall certainly have
given to the opposition the stronges
- ground for appeal to the people. 1
we do not present ourselves with thu
franchise, II we allow the election t
= determine that unof1cially as 1t were
I and then when we have won the cleo
ton, we avail ourselves of our oppol
| tunities. we shall be In a much safe
Il and better position"
a DO you wish to submit this frar
a chise to the vote of the people. MI
a McRonald?" asked Rutherford
u by no MEANS" answered the f1naI
4 cier.
Well, what do you propose then
This. Would 1t not be we'll. 1
I case this movement grows stron
q enough to be worthy of the attentio
i we are giving it, to declare as froI
the party in power that while we hav
the power to grant the franchise. an
while we think it would be for tn
interests of the people that 1t shoul
y be granted, yet we are willing to d
"a fer action until after the election an
"a let the election determine"
VA That would be a wise course" sal
IN Haldane. II don't know but that 1t
IA the wisest course; but We must fac
NJ the alternative
m What is that?"
III Defeat, If we made that propos
III ton. and then were defeated,
would be impossible for US to secul
i the franchise. The stock OF u
IA Gotham Freight Traction company
M $3.50 900 900. and the bonds outstan
NJ ing aggregate almost as much
m we don't have this franchise, the
Vii won't be worth ten cents on the doll;
II to u.s."
II How much actual money has be-
III invested in the concern" asked Il
Il district attorney
Il. Two hundred and fifty million
! from the people, and-very lit
= else" answered Haldane.
How much is it really worth
Queried Liffey.
Its worth. Of course. what "
put into it."
And what will its earning capaci
be-"
IF we control it, it will pay fs
dividend on all the stock that h
been put out, most OF which is he
bv our friends and the friends Of I
organization" answered Van Slyke.
ad. The problem was tremendous OF
YOU They faced it silently moment
two. and at last Haldane restated it.
as You see. we can. if necessary. de
re- public opinion and jam through
ate. ordinance at the last minute even
we are likely to lose the election,
Z It though by so doing we should give
TO- enemy a tremendous advantage
can the close of the campaign. Or we c
and defer the granting OF the franchl
until after the election. in the no
her. that the postponement will be
strongest card for winning. tell "
,,nt gentlemen. that other interests
20 greater magnitude would be involv
in the fate Of the Gotham Freie
oovpDopv"