The labor world., 1911-11-18

he SAT GOWN again OeJecCeQly. .DO
you know, I've terrible presentiment
that we're going to lose this time"
do you mean that you don't care
to help me out in this fight?" -,
Paul strobe to Bob's side and placed
his hand affectionately on the latter's
shoulder.
"Of course not, old man. I'm with
you in this scrimmage and in every
other you ever go into. but while we
are working out our plans here in the
state can't 1 have the chance to work
out mine in separate field where I
can act for myself and in my own
way7 Bob, if you're elected-and Of
course you will be in spite Of my pre-
sentiment-why can't I take Gerwig's
place on the ticket this fall and 70 to
congress?"
Bob shook his head.
"Why not?" Paul demanded petu.
lantly.
I'm the first place. have promised
Gerwig. In the second"-
"You can get Gerwig to step aside"
II can," Bob said quietly, but it's 4
rule Of mine to keep my word in such
cases. In the second place. it will
mean six years wasted. Here; have q
cigar. Now sit down and Wen discuss
this thing ratonally." Paul lighted
his cigar and sat down. putting nerv-
ously.
"You 60 to congress-what happens?
You'll find yourself shunted of to one
side, bushel basket clapped over your
head, bound, muzzled. can imagine
no sadder fate for you than to be muz-
zled."
Paul laughed. 1--WE can agree on
that anyhow. Go on"
'1t's worse even than that. Even the
machine congressman has no real pow
er. He must take his orders just as
our legislator must take orders from
the state boss. There aren't a half
dozen men in both houses who hold
even a shadow of power, and they
have that only as agents for those
back of them. If you're content with
being a f1gurehead, with having only
the appearance of influence, go ahead
to congress and nbnentity. But you
must pay the price" He paused,
smoking meditatively.
Go on" Paul exclaimed impatient
ly. 'The price,
'The only thing in the world worth
having-real power"
"Real power-1? Paul laughed al
most bitterly. "What power have I?
How do people think Of me? What
have I been? One of your many un-
derlings, your puppet''-
"Stop" Bob was so near to anger
that Paul was startled 'That's
enough of this old woman's chatter.
You've been listening to bad counsel.
You'd be miserable weakling If you
didn't possess influence after the
chances you have had. The trouble
with you Is that things have come so
easily you don't realize their value.
What power have you? You've been
In the legislature four years. and
you're the only legislator in genera
tion who has made himself a force to
be reckoned with. If you want to
know what power you have go over
to the other side and beat me!'
The petulant discomfort on Paurs
face gave way to amazed, incredulous
delight and pride. "You mean?" he
gasped.
II mean," Bob answered quietly,
"that without the support you would
draw from me I probably couldn't
win"
THAT MEANS" Paul exclaimed, 'that
you, Bob McAdoo, are in my hands,
to make or to break"
''That's true"
Paul sprang to his feet with a pas
s1onate gesture. But. after all, /
have power only because you have
given it to ME. Therefore it Is yours.
We will use it together, Bob. You've
been finer friend than l realized.
But I realize it now. and I shan't for
get."
All right" Bob said, shifting un-
comfortably under this demonstration.
'Then you give up this congress fool
ishness?' NV. i. =
"Of course. You're right, as usual.
Six years ago I couldn't have given
it up. Then the appearance of impor-
tance was enough. But that is ended.
The superficial sensationalist is dead
and buried forever l hope. Now
want to be a real man, an original
force" ~, ~ >L.s.l II; r :.
Bob turned from him to look, out of
the window. III hadn't thought it
was In you shouldn't have taken you
up" he said gruf1y. Then he wheeled
sharply on Paul. "But Is what you
say true? Is the sensationalist put
away ,foreverY' "
Paul flushed painfully. "Ah! You
have sounded me truly-as truly as
man can who is himself genuine and
clear as crystal. But this time it is
true. I tell you It must be true.
have 9 reason you don't know
"Oh, yes" Bob answered. .I know
your reason. II you're not careful that
woman will marry svnn ~ sI#sE s.s sIf5E