The bee. (Earlington, Ky.) 1889-19??, 1914-05-22

7, y. T. HaIHTalnCd
lobby that winter at the Legislature. Tom
Gordon good fellow and prince of lobby
lists was in charge and il was, doubt due to his
influence that any pending legislation adverse to
the railroad interests had failed of passage for
the past four or FIVE years. Ii was also undoubt-
eddy due to the same influence that number Of
measures favored by the railroads had passed
The /. X. L. Railroad had become the clearing
house for the other railroads where their inter
ests were identical two cent a mile rate bill
had been introduced early in that session and had
been in the hands of the committee for several
weeks 1t had just been reported to the House
favorably.
At the headquarters of the I. X L. lobby at
the Nevll House, which was ostensibly Tom Cor
don's suite of rooms, there atmosphere
of exceeding jubilance. This particular suite of
rooms had been selected with the utmost care, and
possessed features peculiarly advantageous for his
particular purpose. There were four rooms to
the suite which on the second floor, and the
hrst room was corner room with two en-
frances. This room and the adjonng room
reception rooms. The third room was Tom Cor
don's private bedroom, and the last room was his
sanctum, to which only the extreme elect were
admitted AS this room had private stair
case entrance but few people knew that it be-
longed to that suite
The newly elected President and General
Manager Of the l. X L. Railroad and Tom Cor
don were in consultation in this room The Cen
eral Manager was regarded in the railroad world
as the coming man. He had been secured from
one of the big western railroads and although
comparatively young in years, undoubtedly pos
sessed extraordinary executive ability
81 am expecting George Wells, one of the
political bosses and big men in the state in
few moments" said Tom Gordon. "He has
worked hand in hand with for time"
Just then there was tap at the door lead
ing to the private entrance, and Tom Gordon
went over and opened it, and George Wells en-
tered the ROOM
Large of frame, with power and determine
ton written in every line of his features George
Wells had become a leader of his party in state
politics. His face flushed with anger, as he
strobe into the room, noddng curtly to Gordon
as he caught sight Of the stranger seated at the
table.
"Mr. Wells" said Tom, permit the pleas
of introducing to you Mr. White, our new
General Manager have been outlining some of
the work we have to do this winter in the Leg
islature in order to protect our interests"
George Wells shook hands with the General
Manager, then turning to Gordon said Yes, and
it is because of some of that very work that !
am here tonight to talk with YOU" as he spoke,
tense anger. Damn it, man! Didn't tell you
that | had reasons of my own for not attempt
ing to reach Jim Treadway in any manner at
Tom Gordon's face REDEEMED at the tones
used to him, but there was exultation in his
voice when he said, Have got him? | was
not certain as have not heard from Meyers yet"
Got him? Yes, you have got him." replied
Wells "You have not only got him, but you
have broken the heart of one of the squarest
men / knew; the man / had in mind for
Governor. In fact, the only man that we could
have won with next fall" Turning to Mr..
White. he said, They talk about politicians be-
ing grafters and being crooked. Why, the most
crooked politician that ever lived is piker COM
pared with your big men in railroads l have
been in politics great many years, and have been
successful mainly, l believe, because have been
a man of my word and have tried to be square.
In all that time have never yet bought man.
Men have done my bidding because of some IA
vor they expected or because of some favor thai
7 had done for them I have sold nv influence