The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1911-02-02

"Then how a strong independ-
ent would shine in such surround
ings!"
thought. He's been in congress
two terms, and who ever hears of
him? Hes chairman of the Com
mittee on Ventilation of the House
Chamber"
20, Gerwig!" Paul said con-
temptuously. "Gerwig's a fat
head"
Eyes, Gerwig's all that. And II
all independents were like Ger
wig, the congressional machine
wouldn't be a necessity. It's to
squelch independents of force and
brilliancy, like yourself, that it
has been perfected. And it is per-
fectly effective. There isn't a
genuinely independent member
of either house who has any influ-
ence. who is ever heard Of"
20, come" Paul protested.
isn't that drawing it rather
strong? There are" And he
cited several congressman whose
names were often head-lined in
the daily papers.
Gigantic Frauds" Bob growled
Gigantic frauds, all of them
And the people are beginning to
see through them. GU go to con-
gress--what happens? You'll find
yourself shunted off to one side
a bushel basket clapped over your
head, bound, muzzled. l can i'm,
agine no sadder fate for you than
to be muzzled."
Paul laughed. 1--WE can agree
on that, anyhow. Go on"
cts worse even than that
Even the machine congressman
has no real power. 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 bach
of them. If you're content witt
being a figurehead, with having
only the appearance of influence
go ahead to congress and nonen
tity. But you must pay the
price," He paused, smoking medi
tatively.
Go on" Paul exclaimed impa
tiently. "The price"
1.-The only thing in the world
worth having. Real power"
Real power? II" Paul laugh
ed almost bitterly. What power
have 1? How do people think O.
me? What have I been? One o.
your many uhderlings, your pup
pet"
= Stop" Bob was SO near tt
anger that Paul was startled
That's enough of this old won
ans chatter. You've been listen
ing to bad counsel. You'd be ;
miserable weakling if you didn'
possess influence, after tn,
chances you have had. The trou
BILE with you is that things have
come so easily you don't realiz,
their value. What power hav,
i you? You've been in the legisla
ture four years and you're tn,
only legislator in generation
who has made himself a force t,
be reckoned with. You have new
er won an important battle, blu
you have always been on the pop
ular side. You're known in every
town in the state, as we'll as l am
and as brave, independent, hon
est man. The people believe IL
you and listen to you. You ma!
not know it, but Murchell ant
Dunmeade couldn't have accom-
Iplished what they have in thi!
state without a man like you t.
take just your part. And here II
the city you've had a free hand
you've been continually befor,
the public. In spite of your con
nection with me, the public her,
believes in your sincerity ant
loves you. Thousands will do fol
you out of personal friendship
what they do for me only becaus,
it is to their advantage. If l los,
my grip, they'll leave me instant
er. But they'll stick to you, 81
long as they continue to believe
in your sincerity and independ
ence and honesty, no matter wha
happens. My puppet! I can't d.
| WithOoC yOu hOW. TOWeE, HAL
I'm not precisely weakling. ]
you want to know what powe
you have, go over to the othe
side and beat mel"
The petulant discomfort OF
Paul's face gave way to amazed
lincredulous delight and pride
l"You mean?" he gasped.
81 mean" Bob answered quiet
ly, that you, Bob McAdoo, ar,
in my hands, to make or tt
break"
That's true"
Paul sprang to his feet with
, passionate gesture. But, ate
all, have power only because yol
have given it to me. Therefore i
is yours. We will use it to
Igether, Bob. You've been a fine
friend than I realized. But 1 real
ize it now And / shan't forget.
"Al1 right" Bob said, shiftin,
uncomfortably under this demon
tration. Then you give up thi
congress foolishness?"
"Of course! You're right, a,
usual. Six years ago / couldn'