The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1912-12-05
(Copyright BY the International Press Dureau.l

| INSIDE. IeSS your DID Is the lowest
that has been turned in. We don't
mind telling you that. 1t 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. The figures
in the bids don't settle this contract
by long sight We settle It. You
know who We are. Now, the reason
we write this to you is this: Come
across.
That's what will land you this con-
tract, If you do land it. Come across.
Come across strong. Show us that
you're right, and wen 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 US"
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 a threat,
and assuring the firm 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 at 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
fars2 '' I aSkad hlunfiy
He looked at me In Amusement.
Know" he said. what do you
think / ann" Do you suppose I'd be
paying your agency So a day and ex-
penses If l knew who wrote those let
ters?"
Hardly" said. do you know
who is responsible for their being
writtenY
Haney looked at me a little longer
this time without speaking.
NO." he said. mo"
"But you could make 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 If you couldn't I suppose its
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.
eyes," 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. :
"GarverT' / said. II haven't met
him yet, have II"
"Mr. Carver is president and owner
Of this company" said Haney. "He'l
an old man. ! attend 10 all this sort
Of business"
Doesn't he want to be In on this
conferenceg' / said.
mo" said Haney.
thought it over a little.
WELL. said. II want him TO b.
here"
'Whatw Haney began to get a lit
tie mad.
TITS a rule Of our ONCE" I explain
ed.
Haney leaned back, molliied.
"oh," he said, 'lf that's the case. al
right Mr.. Carver doesn't like to trou
Bile with such details, but II you in
sist-"
II do"
"Then we can go into his private
office"
We went in. Carver was an OH
man, as Haney had said. He was ovel
seventy and was in poor health. Hit
mind was quite as clear as 1t should
be, but as saw him and Haney to
gether the contrast struck me too for
chilly to be lost. Carver was the INT
type Of honorable business man who
has built up his success by virtue O
the excellence Of his products and
square dealing, and who was more FIRE
quently met couple Of decades ago
than in this age. Haney was the typt
who forces his way to the top by bull
doing and INSCRIPTIONS conduct
Carver would rather lose business
than sacrifice his self respect by (
dishonorable action. Haney would &c
the money anyway so long as he coult
keep out Of Jail.
"WelI, Mr.. Cornell" said Carve
courteously, 1T lookL as II the Con
tinental Heating company would have
to resort to bribery to get a much-de
sired contract, doesn't It? I dislike Il
do It, very much, but it Is extremel.
necessary that we get this school con
tract. l am sorry to have to pay 1
bribe to INSCRIPTIONS politicians.
would not do SO except to beat com
pany that wants to put an inferior
heating plant into our schools. have
large amount Of pride in my Owl
city, Mr.. Cornell, and I want to ge
my heating plant-which Is q gooC
honest one-into the schools. ! an
afraid we will have to appsase certain
politicians with a good-sized bribe be
fore this can be accomplished"
ooh, 1 guess not" I said. "We'I
get this letter writer for you aftel
that your politicians won't bother
you"
Carver smiled.
81 ADMIRE confidence, Mr.. Cornell
/ - la ssp,,4 NJ. TYanavy f1Sorrna m,