River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-09-18

to dinner It 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, 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 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 diff
ferent aspect on the present situa-
tion?"
Belmont attorney. Il had Mr.. Wright
to dinner tonight so that you could
meet him without arousing his suspi-
cions. | wanted to help you that
much"
What Kendall really thought he evi-
denced by his indirect reply.
Il 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
the harness to vince at a corporation
request for the vacation of a principal
thoroughfare and a 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 jos Wright He had
made up his mind, however, that he
would not aid the company 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.
1.-The river eats up our tracks on the
west" protested Kendall. THE stock
yardsIl never be safe while we de-
pend on the one line" Then he added
with emphasis, 1--WE must come down
Maple avenue on the east and use
Benton Park for switching yards"
1T can't be done
1T can be done Dave Kerr can do
he pleases. He's the abso-
lutte boss of Belmont"
This was said with such a tone of
flnality that Judge Gilbert saw no
need of replying. He knew that Kerr
was the absolute boss of Belmont
There flashed through the minds of
both men the thought that the Bel
mont News might have something to
say. 1t couldn't prevent franchise
being passed, of course. but publicity
at times was unpleasant. This was
Kerr did not court. Gilbert
knew He was the easy boss. letting
every one have share Of the spoils,
and thus all were satisfied Few in
deed had been the times when the
town had attempted to revolt.
You'd have the whole town up in
arms" demonstrated Gilbert
They've been up in arms before.
Once they brought ropes to hang the
council, but Kerr put through the
water works deal You're the attor-
ney for the street railway company;
you know what he did there"
Yes. yes | know" Gilbert admitted
hastily. Then with a sigh of relief,
That's ali past"
He ran his hand through his hair.
gray long before the frost of age
could come to silver it, and was
thankful that such episodes were
things Of the past. He was weary OF
it all KendalIs next remark. deliv-
cred with the chill incisiveness of a
lawyer croSs-examining a belligerent
witness, brought him once more to the
success possible.
is Dave Kerr keeping out of the
deal only through fear of young
Wright and the Belmont News?"
He isn't afraid of anything Mr.
Kerr merely says that it doesn't in
terest him at the present time, AS
for me. I'm out of it.
You're still Kerr's right4hand ad-
wiser"
Pardon me, his legal adviser
Kendall did not pause to acknowl-
edge the distinction, but went on. this
time straight to the heart of the mat
ter.
4 made what the stock-yards PEG
pie consider a good offer. If that isn't
enough, what's his price,"
This point-blank question. irritated
Gilbert. He much preferred to call a
spade an agricultural implement even
when talking with those who stood
close to him in his manipulations for
the various corporations he represent
ed. He therefore ignored the ques
ton, preferring to tell why the mat
ter could not be taken up at present
"Fhe elections coming on in a
couple of months. and your franchise
would be made an issue. We can't
afford it with the News in q position
to boost the opposition party"
I've got to get it through as soor
as possible. There's nothing raw il