The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1912-10-17

side. We know, because we're on the
inside. Yes. your bid is 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 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 il this: Come
across
That's what will land you this con-
| tract, II you do land 1t. Come across.
Come across strong. Shew 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 threat,
and assuring the firm that it had NO
chance in the world of landing this
heating contract that 1t wanted so bad
ly unless 1t began to show that at was
right" within the next week
II 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?" I asked, bluntly.
J He looked at me in amazement.
| KNOW" he said. What do you
think ann" Do you suppose I'd be
paying your agency So a day and ex-
penses II knew who wrote those let
ters?"
Hardly" 1 said "Do you know
who Is responsible for their being
written?"
Haney looked at me little longer
this time without speaking.
NO." he said. mo"
"But you could make a pretty close
! guess, couldn't your" I went On.
Yes" he said, Il could"
Sure" l said. There wouldn't be
any sense to these fellows writing the
letters if you couldn't. I suppose it's
! bunch Of grating politicians who are
trying to hold you up, isn't it?"
4! He gave me look which was an
undisguised attempt to read my
thoughts.
Yes" he said, that's what we
think, Of course. That is what I and
Mr.. Carver, the president of the COM
| pany, have agreed upon as the truth -
" nrO 7 coiI
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
conference?" I said.
NO." said Haney.
thought it over a little.
WELL. I said. 81 want him to be
! here"
"What?" Haney began to get a lit
tie mad.
Its a rule Of our Office" explain.
ed
Haney leaned back, Modified.
"Oh," he said, 'if that's the case, all
right. Mr.. Carver doesn't like to trou
BILE with such details, but If you in
sist-'
81 do"
Then We can go into his private
Office"
We went in. Carver was an ole
man, as Haney had said. He was owe,
seventy and was in poor health. His
mind was quite as clear as it should
be, but as I 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 o.
the excellence Of his products and
square dealing, and who was more fire
quently met q couple of decades age
than In this age. Haney was the typ.
who forces his way to the top by bull
doing and INSCRIPTIONS conduct
Carver would rather lose bushes.
than sacrifice his self respect by /,
dishonorable action. Haney would &c
the money anyway so long as he coult
keep out Of jail.
We'll, Mr.. Cornell" said Carve
oourteously, 1T looks as If the Con
tinental Heating company would hav
to resort to bribery to get a much-de
sired contract, doesn't it? I dislike +
do 1t, very much, but it is extremel
necessary that we get this school cor
tract. am sorry to have to pay
bride to interruptions politicians.
. would not do so except to beat a con
pany that wants to put an inferio
heating plant into our schools hav
: a large amount Of pride in my ow
r city, Mr.. Cornell, and I want to &c
my heating plant-which is q 600
honest one-into the schools. I al
e afraid we will have to appease osrtai
politicians with q good-sized bribe b,
fore this can be accomplished"
ooh, I guess not" I said. I'VE