The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-03-25

his past life. his phenomenal rise. his
tremendous executive ability. He be-
came a national figure overnight. as
1t were. Men talked about him at
clubs. in cafes. in street cars. in their
homes. wherever they were congregat
ed. About the fiat rate. however, GER
tain men merely winked. 1t was
splendid piece of buncombe for the
public. 1t was a splendid weapon
which would give Breed power of life
and death over any business upon
which he chose to exert it. but that
1t 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 ruce shocks. There was posi-
lively no satisfaction to be had from
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 trifle impatient
over the necessity of having to make
such a trip and was insistent upon
coming to a crisp working basis at
once For that reason he did not go to
MIR. Rollins at all. He very calmly
walked over that gentleman's fgura-
tive head to Mr.. Breed.
"Hello, Breed" said he, walking in
upon that gentleman as he sat in his
library porting over a 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 a rebate are we to
get, and what percentage of it goes to
you individually?'
"Glad to see you, Hepperdon." said
Breed. cit has been a long time since
l had the pleasure Of brush with
you. Where have you been keeping
yourself so longT
"Just got back from Europe" said
Hepperdon. But how about this
L.
on the next train"
'Out Of my hands entirely" said
Breed. you'll have to see Mr.. Rol-
lins," and he rang for Kelvin, to whom
he gravely introduced Hepperdon.
'Mr. 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
cred"
THAT is exactly what 1 don't like
about 1t. You haven't set your rate
high enough for a 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. Just disabuse your
mind, Mr.. IIepperdon. Of the idea that
there is to he concession of any sort.
There is no use in discussing the mat
ter because this is fat and final"
"Do you mean that?" demanded
Hepperdon.
II mean it absolutely"
Hepperdon studied him in silence for
awhile. There was no doubt that Roll
Inns meant precisely what he said.
Every WELL" snapped Hepperdon.
within two weeks there will be q
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.
"Mr. Breed would like to see you for
few minutes before you co.
"Hepperdon, about how much politi-
cal influence do you actually control p
asked Breed.
more than any one aggregation OF
business Interests in the United
States" declared Hepperdon. 81 own
exclusively cabinet officer. five Unit
ed States senators. more than a dozen
| United States representatives and half
n dozen governors and minor officials,
state legislators and the like running
up into the hundreds. Besides that,
| have partnership interests in connec-
ton with other large commercial
forces in two or three times as many
more political leaders"
| THAT tallies very well with our es.
innate" said Breed. 1--WE may want
to borrow this influence Of yours lit
tie later on. Hepperdon. In the mean
time suppose you just go ahead and
pay this fat rate of Rollins and say
nothing. Leave 1t to me-"
| Sure" said Hepperdon. 81 knew
there must be a niger in the wood
| pile some place. You're looking very
well indeed. Breed"
| The next day brought Raymer, raw
boned and wooden featured, but fairly
oily in his suavity, and the head OF
the beef trust, and Valentine, little
| and screechy and marked with count
less black freckles, and the head OF
| garnished with many rugged exple
tives, Mr.. Raymer and Mr.. Valentine
declared to Mr.. Rollins that they
would invoke special legislation which
would put his railway monopoly ou
| of the business, dissolve it and sepa
rate it into healthy competition. scat
ter it into easily handled fragments