The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1913-11-13
The w I)A'U(2 " E;R OF
DAVID KERR, a,le
BY Marry En5 :lootle
Illustrations 1y THy 11I7=~s -
COPYRIGHT BY A.c. 1ecLuRc e3 CO.. 1913


edge. That Kendall might see for him
self and meet on friendly ground the
new and disturbing factor in Belmont
politics, Judge Gilbert invited Joe
Wright, the new owner Of the paper,
to dinner. 1t was just by accident,
apparently, that Mr.. Kendall had been
picked up at almost the last minute.
The only others present were DR..
and Mrs. Hayes. Sam Hayes, a ris-
ing young physician and surgeon, was
coroner of Belmont county, an office
which his society friends joked him
about, but one which Hayes recog-
nized and accepted as a political step
ping stone. Then, too, it gave him op-
portunities to repay his political
friends. David Kerr liked to have
such young men hold office.
Dinner over, Gilbert and Kendall
withdrew to the library for final
conference over the stock-yards situa-
ton. Again they tried to telephone
David Kerr, only to receive the in
formation that he was not at home.
you really think the Belmont
News having been bought by this out
sider," queried Kendall, puts a diff
ferent aspect on the present situa-
tion?"
Judge for yourself" answered the
Belmont attorney. II had Mr.. Wright
to dinner tonight SO that you could
meet him without arousing his suspi-
cions. l wanted to help you that
much"
What Kendall really thought he evil
denced by his indirect reply.
II don't blame Dave Kerr for being
angry because Wright slipped in and
bought the paper"
For a minute or more the two men
smoked in silence. Kendall was won
dering what he could say to his Chi
cago principals which would make
them understand that Belmont was
not now the Belmont of the old days.
that although to all appearances it
was the same the practiced eye could
detect the vague unrest which per-
vaded it.
Judge Gilbert had been too long in
request for the vacation of principal
thoroughfare and public park, but
he was tired of the long fight for
grasping masters whose one demand
was always for more, more, more.
And yet he had no sympathy with
such men as Joe Wright. He had
made up his mind, however, that he
| 1T oi1 tho in this
new franchise grab. He was partly
led to this conclusion, all unconscious
ly, because he knew David Kerr was
not betraying any interest in it.
"The river eats up our tracks on the
west," protested Kendall. "The stock
yards'll never be safe while we de-
pend on the one line" Then he added
with emphasis, I'VE must come down
Maple avenue on the east and use
: Benton Park for switching yards"
ut can't be DONE"
1T can be done. Dave Kerr can do
! anything he pleases. He's the abso-
lutte boss of Belmont" .'r-
! This was said with such a tone OF
/ f1nality that Judge Gilbert saw no
;. need of replying. He knew that Kerr
q was the absolute boss Of Belmont.
! There flashed through the minds OF
q both men the thought that the Bel
o mont News might have something to
a say. 1t couldn't prevent franchise
4 being passed, of course, but publicity
a at times was unpleasant. This was
something Kerr did not court, Gilbert
n knew. He was the easy boss, letting
f every one have share of the spoils
a and thus all were satisfied. Few in
9 deed had been the times when the
l. town had attempted to revolt.
c you'd have the whole town up IL
v arms" demonstrated Gilbert
e "They've been up in arms before
h Once they brought ropes to hang tn,
II council, but Kerr put through thu
e. water works deal. You're the attor
L. ney for the street railway company
q, you know what he did there"
al yes, yes l know Gilbert admitted
al hastily Then with a sigh Of relief
to That's all past"
to He ran his hand through his hail
gray long before the frost of ag
y could come to silver it, and Wa
RI thankful that such episodes wer
e. things Of the past. He was weary O
IN it all. Kendall's next remark, deli,
K cred with the chill incisiveness of
at lawyer cross-examining a belligeren
Id witness, brought him once more to tn
IT, defense OF the man who had made hi
81 success possible.
go els Dave Kerr keeping out Of tn
id deal only through fear of youn
% Wright and the Belmont News?"
ng He isn't afraid of anything. M
w Kerr merely says that it doesn't ii
ID terest him at the present time. A
n for me, I'm out of it."
lE foYo d1aat ~