The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1912-01-20
SHORT STORIES OF THE BUSINESS WORLD
John Davis Manager and the New
Presidents Policy
WORL D

vice from that city. He had secured
direct wires to New York and other
important cities The rival telegraph
company had been forced to improve
their facilities in order 70 hold part of
the business. He proposed to further
improve the service. Did they want
faster service and quicker answers to
their messages? OF course they did
Then he had a confidential proposition
to make. Would they agree to his
conditions? After hearing them, man,
of them did.
Four days before the date on which
his resignation was to take effect,
Davis called upon Cameron, the local
manager of the Commercial Telegraph
Company. Although competitors for
business, and each alive to the inter
ests of his company, they were per
sonal friends. Cameron, who did not
know that Davis had resigned, was
dumbfounded at the proposition be
made.
Il shall have to take that up with
my superintendent at Cincinnati be
fore l can give you an answer, Davis"
he said, after expressing the surprise
he felt
But this matter must be decided a,
once replied Davis. Give me a let.
ter to the superintendent and l will 20
and see him"
The superintendent, however, when
Davis saw him, said he would have to
hear from the general superintendent
in Chicago, Davis Immediately set out
to see him.
81 like your proposition, Mr.. Davis
said the general superintendent, but
as it involves considerable expenditure
and a change in wires outside of my
division, l shall have to get authority
from Mr.. Adams, general manager Of
the company, in New York"
He is the man | want to see, them
said Davis. "Will you write him now
recommending my proposition? l will
take the letter directly to him and eX-
plain the Details
The general superintendent gave
him the letter.
Twenty-four hours later Davis ar.
rived in New York and at once called
on Mr., Adams, the general manager Of
the Commercial Telegraph Company.
Briefly Davis outlined his PROPOSE
ton.
you say that the leading firms in
your city will give their telegraph
business to whichever company you
want them to-" asked the president,
his manner expressing incredulity.
| Il say that they will allow me to
place their business with the company
that will give them the quickest ser
vice. Here are contracts with a num-
Der of firms to that effect Many
other firms with whom 1 did not make
& written contract verbally agreed TO
do 80. Now, the substance of my
proposition is this-your company is
to open two branch offices in the bust
ness district, put in the additional
wires and make the improvements
that | have indicated. These i'm
provements will give our city the best
service it has ever had. l will then
turn over the business that | control.
Your receipts in that city will be
doubled. am to be appointed mana
ger of the branch offices, with a com
mission on the increased receipts"
But what assurance have | that
you can give us this business?' asked
the general manager. Your plan in
wolves the expenditure of a consider
able sum-"
my salary depends upon the
amount of business give you. If you
are afraid however, to make the nee
essary outlay, the other company will
consider
Suppose l give you a large COM
missionary twice the amount you
proposed-and do not make the i'm
provement. If you control the bust
ness you can give it to us anyway, and
both you and your company will make
more"
THAT is not to be thought Of for an
instant l promised better service and
it is on that condition alone that your
company can get the business"
What is your estimate of the cost
of the improvement
In round numbers, 100000, but as
l propose to increase your receipts
$4,000 a month, it makes a good in
vestment. You will find the estimated
cost fully itemized in these papers
Mr.. Davis" said the general man
ager, rising, Il will go over your
papers at once and give your position
careful consideration l will wire my
decision to the superintendent, who
will advise you. My answer Will be
awaiting you when you reach home
Good dow eli