New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-11
10

was conducted into what appeared 10 be the private
reception room Of a splendid suite.
soon the inner door opened. and Carleton, well
qroomed square Jawed, and precise approached MN
aYou are Colonel Aonzo Hatch, take it. he said,
holding out his hand. "I'm Mr.. Carleton.
VERY glad to have the honor, Sir, the Colonel as
serted with great galantry.
"As wrote you Colonel Carleton said. Eve are the
board Of directors Of the Atlantic q Oriental RHl-
vav. and we are out here on the coast to make our
final decision as to what shall be the terminus OF the
road
Il gathered as much as that, said the Colonel i'm
pcrurbablv; but for the lie IF me Sir, can see why
there should be the slightest question on that point
Port Hatch Of course Sir. She the most beautiful
citv in the world She has the most unrvacd port Of
entry with natural facilities that cannot be obtained
at any other harbor on the Pacific She IS
Excuse me. Colonel bandly interrupted Carleton,
"but think it best that YOU should explain It's advan-
tape to the full board and particularly to chairman
Mr. Thornton Won't you please come inside'
LIE turned and bowed dcicrentially he opened
IL door, and stood back as the Colonel preceded him
into the room As he was being announced the Colonel
caught it all at glance. The afternoon sun filtered
through the big windows as model directors room
as could be obtaine in any hotel and round long and
nolisbed table were seated a dozen men OF that type
that he had always associated with financial power
clean-cut serious men, Of whom had sharp eyes
that bored him through and appeared on the defensive
others that were merely speculative, and some with an
lev darkness masking cruelty OF mind. He passed
from man to man he introduced and shook hands
with each regardless OF the attitude OF deicnsveneSs
that all assumed.
II was the chairman who put the cause OF the con-
ference succnctly before him, as II time was too I'M
portant to be wasted on courtesy, and the Colonel
somewhat bcwildered by all this haste, listened as
Thornton talked.
colonel Hatch he said after the Colonel had seated
himself "as YOU doubtless know, IS an assured tact
that the A. & O. wants to make terms for It's udewaer
end 50 there is no use in discussing that part OF It, We
have preliminary surveys Seattle that have been on NE
for some years; but not certain that 1t would
not prove more profitable for us to make Port l1atch
on account OF its nearer location to the mouth OF the
sound main terminus and extend the line 10 oeIte
merely as a business getter
The Colonel smiled and nodded with citation. He
glowed with friendship for the man at the head OF the
table whose face was immoble as face could be,
and whose close-cropped mustache did not conceal
mouth that unfeeling and firm as an Indians.
1--WE have felt the cost Of right OF way to Seattle
and know about what we could do along that line. We
have no such along the line to Port Hatch
and that would entail some additional expense.
He paused moment for this to sink in; but the
Colonel was not the one to think Of expense in connec-
ton with anything.
But Sir, I'm right that il you ever visited Port
Hatch, there is no possible expense that would deter
YOU from running the road there, he venued, feeling
the necessity OF saying something.
I'VE have already visited your city, dryly answered
Thornton and have made all the necessary inquiries
as to the advantages Of its location.
"Then Of course its all decided the Colonel almost
shouted Gentlemen, | congratulate YOU all on your
excellence OF judgment. As have often said
But we haven't finally decided" interrupted the
chairman Of the board in fact we requested this
interview to see what inducements Port Hatch would
make us to name it as our main terminal point
The Coonel's jaw dropped, and a look Of anxiety