The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1913-10-17

saiu courteously, on the plot or the
city which you supplied me-"
''Yes?"
Yes" Mr.. Mutrie's tone was family
ironicaL L think you can hardly be
serious, Mr.. Allan"
Allan leaned back in his chair and
tapped the edge Of his desk with his
pencil.
It's very decent OF you TO feel that
way about 1t. Mr. Mutrie." he returned
pleasantly. but I didn't want to be
hoggish. I suppose I could get more
for the land in the long run. but !
would much rather let everybody in
now and start things going"
Mr.. Mutrie bit into his thick white
mustache for moment
Leaving p1easantries aside" he said
with some. acerbity. "you don't really
mean TO attempt to get those prices
for land in your city?"
Allan continued to tap the desk. Il
not only mean to attempt to get them,
but I will set them"
from whom?" demanded Mr. Nut
RE, controlling himself with an effort.
~oh, anybody that wants to pay
them Allan shrugged his shoulders
indi1erently. Il am going to let in
anybody that will help boom things
there at these prices and then I'm
going to jump the price,
Mr.. Mutrie stared at him and swal-
lowed hard. but when he spoke again
he had recovered his first suavity.
II have Just been doing some fgur-
Ing" he remarked. consulting piece
of paper. You bought that land for
somewhere between seven and ten
million dollars. You have held il for
less than six months. At the prices
you are now charging You figure to
make about a million dollars a day
for every day you have held It"
Allan nodded. Your figures COIN
eide with mine TO a remarkable de-
gree" he said coolly. It figured that
I ought to make about that on the
deal That is why am going to boost
the price pretty soon il the land
doesn't go fast enough
Surely you are not serious" pro-
tested Mr.. Mutrie, and his manner
was almost patronizing.
Il most certainly am"
Mr.. Mutrie appeared to reflect
and then he began on new tack.
From what / have been able TO
gather. Mr.. Allan, I am forced to
have the greatest respect for you as
an engineer" he said suavely. Il
have no doubt that you believe you
can build this tunnel. and IL the
thing is possible no doubt you can
do it. But a real estate enterprise is
a vastly different proposition from
engineering. 1t follows certain fixed
lines. There are certain accepted
mediums of marketing. and without
these no considerable venture can be
brought to successful close"
II know" nodded Allan, briskly.
THAT always has been the rule.
You real estate men have gathered
In most of the profits. But just as
there is no rule to guide me in build
ing this tunnel, the real estate issue
is too big TO be guided by the regular
rules. You traders can have it at my
price or stay out of the market
without offense," he added courteously.
You know, Mr. Allan" returned
the operator, slowly, his eyes narrow
ing, 1.-THE world has no assurance that
your tunnel Will ever be completed.
While 1 have no doubt whatever of
your good faith, the buying public
which is largely guided by us--has no
definite assurance that your tunnel
project Is not gigantic hoax for the
sole purpose OF pulling off a great real
estate swindle."
1t was a shrewd flank attack and
one that had never occurred to Allan
or Riyes. Allan was completely con-
fused for an instant. and Rives' first
impulse, controlled with difficulty, was
to throw the white haired fox out of
the office Then Allan recovered his
mental balance and laughed.
My dear Mr.. Mutrie,' he said at
last, not taking pains to conceal that
the interview was rapidly becoming
unpleasant, 1.-THE best answer to that
IS that while l have never seen you
before this morning and had no idea
of ever taking the trouble to see you
or sell you anything, here you are
trying to trick or browbeat me into
selling land for less than 1t is worth.
you know and 7 know" he went
on quietly, that this land will within
a few years be worth considerably
more than I am asking for IL now.
You know that this tunnel is on the
level and that ] and the men who
have indorsed me are certain that I
can build 1t and that therefore some
of the worlds largest and busiest cit
les are bound to spring UP around the
entrances"
TT may be So" conceded the expert
in 2 manner that fully conveyed the
Impression that he did not believe 1t.
That being the case concluded AL
Ian. you are at liberty to buy this
land at my price or not buy it--just
as you choose. And l guess that's
about all II you will excuse me-
am very busy man."
what do you think2" inquired Rives
after the boss of the real estate brok-
ers had departed.
"Thing." snorted Allan II think
he'll get on the band wagon or be run
over They have probably framed 1t
10 stay out of the market and bring
my price down. but they can't win al
that game. The land is worth every
cent. and more. than we are asking
for ii, and It's bound to sell, whether
they want il or not"
Riyes switched the conversation over
to other matters connected with con-
Etruction and some changes he con-
-omplated making in the personnel OF
hts staff Allan signed kilograms, an
swered phone calls and advised and
eureested In between breaths for
about an hour. Then Rives announced
that he would have to start back
II want TO take you with me-" he
said.
'sTo Tunnel City?v
yes" replied his friend gravely
sI told Maud I'd bring you back with
me tonight II had to do IT by force. :
Allan frowned slightly at his piled