The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1913-08-19


You know who we are and you know
how to get TO us"
The letter ended abruptly. II 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 il had no
chance In the world of landing this
heating contract that It wanted so bad.
~ unless 1t began to show that 1T was
right within the next week.
Il got that last letter yesterday"
said Haney. THAT week will be como
In five days. And we certainly Go
want that contract"
DO you know who wrote the let
ters?' / asked. bluntly.
He looked at me In amazement.
Know he said. what do you
think l amp DO you suppose I'd be
paying your agency So day and ex-
penses If knew who wrote those let,
ters?"
Hardly" said. do you know
who is responsible for their being
wrltten?"
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" l went on.
Yes he said. Il could"
Sure" l said. There wouldn't be
any sense to these fellows writing the
letters ii you couldn't. suppose it's
a 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.
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. %
"Garver?' l said II haven't met
him yet, have II"
Mr.. Carver Is president and owner
of this company" said Haney. Hes
an old man. l attend to all this sort
OF business"
Doesn't he want to be in on this
conference?' l said.
NO" said Haney
thought It over little.
Well. I said 81 want him to be
here"
"What?" Haney began to get a lit
tie mad.
It's a rule of our Office" I explain
cd.
Hancy leaned back, Modified.
on he said, IF that's the case. all
right Mr., Carver doesn't like to trou-
bic with such details. but If you in
sist--"
81 do"
Then we can go into his private
Office"
We went In. Carver was an old
man, IS LIaney had said. He was over
seventy and was in poor health. His
mind was quite as clear as It should
be, but as l 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 VINO
has built up his success by virtue of
the excellence Of his products and
square dealing, and who was more fire.
quently met a couple of decades ago
than in this age Haney was the tyne
who forces his way to the top by bull.
doing and INSCRIPTIONS conduct.
Carver would rather lose business
than sacrifice his self respect by a
dishonorable action. Haney would get
tho money anyway so long as he could
keep out Of jail.
We'll Mr.. Cornell" said Carver
courteously, 1T looks as If the Con
tlnental Heating company would have
TO resort TO bribery TO get a much-de.
sired contract, doesn't It? dislike to
do 1t, very much. but It is extremely
necessary that we get this school con
tract l am sorry 70 have TO pay a
bride 70 INSCRIPTIONS politicians. /
would not do so except TO beat a com.
pany that wants to put an inferior
heating plant into our schools. have
large amount OF pride in my own
city. Mr.. Cornell, and l want to get
my heating plant-which is a good
honest one-into the schools. l am
afraid we will have to appease certain
politicians with q good-sized bride be-
fore this can be accomplished"
"Oh. ! guess not" said. Wen
get this letter writer for you after
that your politicians won't bother
you"
Carver smiled.
Il admire confidence, Mr. Cornell"
ho said. But llr Haney informs me
that This thing is sewed up too close
for comfort. Tho local ring already is
negotiating with the Blank Heating
Company Of New York MIR Haney has
had their treasurer. Mt Carlln, watch
ed and a certain young man named
Blake. who IS q clerk In the New YORK
Office Of one OF our local politicians,
has been with him constantly. They
are the people who want TO put the in
ferior plant In our schools, and
through this envoy tho politicians are
ia close touch With them. Isn't that
tho situation. Mr. Haneyg
yes sir said Haney. This young
fellow has been hanging around Carlin
Tor fh0 last few weeks, 20 It's cinch
,heyFo got something framed up. The
politicians arc trying to make US over.
bid Tie other peoples bribe."
Glow much viii the bribo be9" I
asked
"Afr FTouov fnforrr. mo ttot O. ,,uy