The Raymer enterprise., 1912-08-15
tcopynght b. tAs InssEna.iooal Pres BussaaJ

inside. Yes. your bid ID the lowest
that has been turned in. We don't
mind telling you that It won't do you
any good. You think that will land
you the contract. Well. we don't mind
telling you that 1t won't. Tho figures
in the bids don't settle this contract
by q long sight We settle 1t. You
know who we are. Now, the reason
We write this to you 10 this: Come
across.
That's what will land you this con.
tract, II you do land It. Come across.
Come across strong. Show US that
you're right and we'll show you that
we're right. Show US that you're not
right and-good-by contract for you.
You know who we are and you know
how to get to u.s.
The letter ended abruptly. It wasn't
signed. The other letters ran along
in about the same strain. the third one
being much in the nature Of threat,
and assuring the Arm that It had no
chance in the world Of landing this
heating contract that It wanted so bad.
ly unless It began to show that 1T was
right" within the next week.
Il got that last letter yesterday"
said Haney. THAT week will be gone
In five days. And we certainly do
want that contract"
DO you know who wrote the let
ters?" l asked, bluntly.
He looked at me in amazement..
"Know!" he said. What do you
think am?" Do you suppose Id be
paying your agency 38 a day and ex.
penses II knew who wrote those let.
ters?"
Hardly" l said. do you know
who Is responsible for their being
wrltten?"
Haney looked at me a little longer
this time without speaking.
NO" he said. NO"
but you could make a pretty close
guess. couldn't your went on.
"Yes." he said, II could"
Sure" said. There wouldn't be
any sense to these fellows writing the
letters II you couldn't l suppose it's
a bunch Of grating politicians who are
trying to hold you up, isn't it?"
He gave me a look which was an
undisguised attempt to read my
thoughts.
"Yes." he said, that's what we
think, Of course. That Is what and
Mr.. Carver. the president Of the com.
pany, have agreed upon as the truth.
"Garver?" l said. II haven't met
him yet, have II"
"Mr. Carver is president and owner
of this company" said Haney. "He's
an old man. l attend to all this sort
Of business"
Doesn't he want to be in on this
conterence?' said.
NO" said Haney.
thought 1t over a little.
WELL. said. II want him to be
here"
WHAT" Haney began to get lit
tie mad.
ITS rule Of our Office" 1 explain
ed.
Haney leaned back, molllfled.
"oh." he said. III that's the case, all
right. Mr.. Carver doesn't like to trou
BILE with such details. but II you in
sist-"
II do"
"Thcn We can go into his private
Office"
We went in. Carver was an old
man, as Haney had said. He was over
seventy and was In poor health. His
mind was quite as clear as 1t should
be, but as l saw him and Haney to
gether the contrast struck me too for
chilly to be lost. Carver was the fine
type Of honorable business man who
has built up his success by virtue oi
the excellence Of his products and
square dealing. and who was more fre
quently met couple of decades age
than In this age. Haney was the type
who forces his way to the top by bull
doing and INSCRIPTIONS conduct
Carver would rather lose business
than sacrifice his self respect by o
dlshonorable action. Haney would ge,
the money anyway so long as he could
keep out Of jail.
"Well. Mr.. Cornell" said Carve,
courteously. ut looks as II the Con
tinental Heating company would have
to resort to bribery to get a much.de
sired contract, doesn't It? dislike tc
do 1t, very much, but 1t Is extremely
necessary that we get this school con
tract. am sorry to have to pay o
bribe to unscrupulous politicians.
would not do 80 except to beat com
pany that wants to put an inferior
heating plant Into our schools. have
a large amount Of pride In my owr
city. Mr.. Cornell. and want to &c,
my heating plant-which Is a goot
honest one-into the schools. ar
afraid we will have TO appease certain
politicians with q good.slzed bribe be
fore this can be accomplished"
"Oh, guess not" said. "Wel