Evening star., 1915-01-10

meane' he growled garng disapprovingy through his
thick spectacles.
@Oh the school that all public utility companies used
to take their counses from, the"
@See here!" interrupted Hail. what you driving
at?"
Benton smiled suavely. "Why I'm just bit surprised
that young you should entertain such
oldfashoned ideas. The lawyers who believe in vote
buying and all that other old stuff being buried by
the hundreds these days"
Hall pounded the table savagely. "Don't you worry
about me-" he snared. Il know my business. And
take of the newspapers too
$50 see, smiled Benton with significant glance
at the Tribunes sensational headline. "But do you
think that kind of publicity helps the company much?7
3No kind of publicity heps7 snapped the lawyer.
aNot when you're crooked, Benton shot back
Then before the angry lawyer could frame reply, he
continued pacdly @But there's to be crooked
about this franchise There's necessity for buying
it from grating politician. It's fair measure, and
it can be secured by fair methods"
The quiet confidence in Benton's tones exasperated
the lawyer. He turned to Moore. "Are you thinking
seriously of trying to beat Mcdonald through the
papers?'
The general manager stared at him thoughtfully.
I'D like to, y he said.
His reply was unexpected and for the moment it
staggered Hall. 1t rumpled his ego also; for
he the @fxer' for the company Finally his wrath
found words "A right you re the boss. Try out any
fool scheme you want; but don't blame me when the
dear public gives you the merry ha-ha!'
He got up and slouched over to the door. Moore
reached out OBTAINING hand; but Hall shook him off,
A S the door slammed behind him there was mo-
ment of silence; then the general manager said
@Bob's peculiar He's done some good work
for us in the past; but-there times when don't
agree with his judgment"
as this of them2' demanded Benton pointedly
"I-don't-know." He walked over to the window
and then back and faced Benton. do you really
expect your friend in New York to put up that fifty
thousand-dolar bond?"
Absolutely. So, you see, you can't lose If don't
get the franchise for you all you've got to do take
my fifty thousand dollars, add to it the fifty thousand
you willing to spend anyway-and let Hall and Nc
Donald do the rest"
There was hint of admiration in the general mana
gers shrewd smile. "That sounds much like
thing that I'm almost afraid to take chance, he said
Benton laughed. Il can make it sure thing for
both of u.s. but you've got to give free rein. If you
accept my proposition, neither the company any
representative of it must take steps toward obtain
ing this franchise without my knowledge consent.
Moreover, if work for you, shall want all the powers
of one of your directors except the power to vote And
shall incorporate these stipulatlons my contract.
Moore considered the proposition thoughtfully "Any
other stpulatons?"
@Yes; but first want to ask you question. How
do your employees feel toward you especially those
who come into daily touch with the pubic,-the
ductors and motormen?"
"Oh guess they feel all right. We've been treating
them better since the strike"
"Well treat them better yet. This is going to be
campaign for public confidence and to get that you
got to have the confidence and respect of the who
working for you
a see" said Moore thoughtfuly, and then he added
you're going to more than the newspapers aren't
your
"Yes," said Benton, "I'm going to use every legit
mate method possible to make the people of Clifton
friends of your company And, he read the unspoken