Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1912-01-04
CHAPTER XIV.
. HE fat freight rate was q ire

act winch was, TO level all 01S1
tinctions. which was to place all
business upon an equal footing. which
was to cure all the economic ills of the
country. And who was back of this
huge philanthropic move? Rollins
Sumner Rollins. the Napoleon of the
of Sumner Rollins? Henry Breed. Yet
another step. who was back of Breed?
Phillip Kelvin. There was the man.
Until Kelvin had come Breed had done
none of these radical things. Since
Kelvin had appeared upon the scene
Breed had broken up the Stock Elk
change. he had reduced the price of
Unified Steel corporation. he had re-
moved the unjust discrimination of the
railroads: ergo. Kelvin was really the
big force Of all this reformation.
Kelvin. Great was Kelvin. Column
upon column was printed about him.
his past life. his phenomenal rise. his
tremendous executive ability He be-
came a national figure overnight, as
It were. Men talked about him at
clubs. in cafes, in street cars. in their
homes wherever they were congregat-
ed. About the fat rate. however. GER
tain men merely winked. It was
| splendid piece Of buncombe for the
public. 1t was a splendid weapon
which would give Breed power Of life
which he chose to exert 1t. but that
It meant just what it stated on the
surface was past belief.
| Suave gentlemen representing vari-
GUS large interests trailed Rollins
| from his New York offices down to
Forest Lakes to meet in succession
quite rude shocks. There was posi-
Rollins.
The first Of these was John G.. Hep
perdon, the head of the petroleum
trust. one of the most perfect combines
In existence and one which had been
built almost entirely upon rebates and
freight concessions of various sorts.
Mr.. Hepperdon was a trifie inpatient
over the necessity of having to make
such trip and was insistent upon
coming to crisp working basis at
once. For that reason be did not go to
Mr.. Rollins at ALL He very calmly
walked over that gentleman's fgura4
tive head to Mr.. Breed.
"Hello Breed" said he. walking In
upon that gentleman rs he sat in his
library porting over set of photo
graphs. one Of which happened to be
Mr.. Hepperdon's. Lets get down to
blunt bedrock on this freight PROPOSE
! ton. How much of rebate are we to
get. and what percentage of 1t goes to
! you individually?'
Glad to see you. Hepperdon." said
Breed. 1T has been long time since
! had the pleasure of brush with
you Where have you been keeping
yourself so long?'
"Just got back from Europe" said
Hepperdon. But how about this
freight business! have to get back
| on the next train"
"Out of my hands entirely said
Breed. You'll have to see Mr. Roll
lins." and he rang for Kelvin. to whom
he gravely introduced Hepperdon.
MIR. Kelvin. take Mr.. Hepperdon up
and introduce him to Mr.. Rollins" said
he.
Kelvin smilingly did so and. having
introduced the two gentlemen. quietly
withdrew
There is to be no rebate" declared
Rollins. why should there be a re-
bate! You have to ship over our roads,
and you may be thankful that we are
making only fair percentage yielding
rate. As matter OF fact, the pre-
viously published rate has been low
ered''
THAT is exactly what | don't like
about 1t, You haven't set your rate
high enough for good margin of
profit from the small shippers"
The margin of profit on all ship.
ments is TO be exactly the same" re.
piled Rollins. lust disabuse your
mind. Mr.. Hepperdon. of the idea that
there Is to be concession of any sort.
There is no use In discussing the mat
ter because this is fiat and final"
DO you mean that?" demanded
Hepperdon.
II mean 1t absolutely"
Hepperdon studied him in silence for
awhile. There was no doubt that Rol-
Inns meant precisely what he said.
VERY well.' snapped Hepperdon.
within two weeks there will be
special bill introduced into the United
States house of representatives dis
solving your railroad combination"
Hepperdon was waddling out Of the
house Tuning without stopping to
make any further adieus to Breed
when Kelvin stopped him in the hall.
MI Breed would like to nee you for
a few minutes before you co."
Hepperdon. about how much politi.
cal influence do you actually controlY'
asked Breed.