Evening star., 1915-03-28

of his hire
"Wel l should say!" responded Webster with alac-
rty "Ths is the life, Wheeler isn't it?"
"What?' demanded the other.
"This business of being corporation director"
claimed the other with laugh.
IF the old apple seller who has his little stand at one
corner of the banking house of H. B. Gorton & Co..,
venured to toss of his redcheeked spherical
modes Broad street. it would roll with ease
the entrance of the Great Eastern Building, which
stands landmark of the financial district, with its
beautifully embellished limestone front. On the thr-
teth floor of this building the offices of the Great
Eastern System, which, as every brokers' board boy
knows, is the largest railroad corporation the country
The windows of the long board room front and
look the bay which is visible to the eyes of the painted
presentmcns of former railroad presidents that hang
the walls in their great gold frames If these fine
old gentlemen could step down from their golden cages
and gather about the oval mahogany board table what
tales they could relate; but they'd do it, for
Speech the witness stand was lent them to CON
ceal their thoughts.
The directors who controlled the destiny of the large
transportation lines about to assemble at their
monthly gathering. The secretary arranging the
minutes OF the previous meeting on the board table.
Several of the board members stood gosspng in groups
while at odd moments Others drifted into the room.
An old man. hard of hearing, using attachment
sat at the table talking to of his codrecors The
man whom he addressed H. Nick. Worthy,
hnancer, in whose private safe deposited all the
secret agreements made between the Great Eastern
System and other trunk lines The deaf member
Addison Slyde.
"What-what is this business that's coming before
the board? asked old Syde he attached his nstru-
ment to his right 81 wish to be fully informed be-
fore give my consent to it..
Worthy, with humorous smile of pity for the old
man useless punctilo, called into the instrument with
heightened voice. "Its merely perfunctorv regarding
some steps taken by the finance committee. But here
comes the chairman. He'll tell us about it
The two ended their conversation. The ponderous
figure of Milton had passed into the room, and as the
chairman greeted the members present all gathered
about the table, and the meeting called order.
ave are called upon, Gentlemen began the chair
man. to approve the action of our finance committee
of which MIR. Gorton is the head. The Washington
authorities as you know, appear to dsapprove of
ownership of the Penn Railroad property So rather
than become involved in dispute with the admins
traon have rid ourselves of the property, by selling
our majority CONTROL 600 shares valued $720OO
600, to the Penn Holding Company
"Holy Casarca Phlippi!' exclaimed Addison Slydc
in a1nazement.
Several of the directors laughed.
"Whcre did the Penn Holding Company get all that
money! demanded Slyde, turning his attachment
in the direction of the charmans voice.
"We advanced them the money from treasury,
Mr.. Slyde,' said Milton ndulgently "In return we
have the Penn Company's notes for $72 OOO,O ,OOO with
our former stock as collateral security"
"Why, then we sold the road and bought it back
with our own money!" complained the old board mem
Der irascibly. "Were still the owners
at is railroad it not our railroad" observed
Milton ocosely "Have it as you will. For further
details refer you to counsel, who is present"
"Yes, Mr.. Slyde," interjected +. s. Lynch legal adj
wiser Of the Great Eastern System, "the proceeding
quite proper 1t is separation of the companies, com
plying, if not with the spirit of the federal law, at least
with the letter And that is to the purpose. The
Interstate Commerce Commission cannot question the
deal, and must rest satisfied So don't worry about your
dividends, Mr. Slyde, he added syly.
Il don't said the deaf man sharply. "Bu why was
It necessary to adopt such bald suberfugc?"
IL recommended the step because of its urgency"