The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1915-06-11
How Henry's Scheme to Grab
the Darbey Company
Was Frustrated.
WAS REVEALED BY ACCIDENT
Dishonest Agent Of tho Trust Was
Exposed and Compelled to Take
Some Of His Own
Medicine.
BY RICHARD SPlLLANE.

tCcpyright mcclure newspaper Syndlcate')
Mr.. Darbey considered the Darbey
Manufacturing company his own, al
though he owned only one-third of
the 100000 stock. He had started
the concern, carried 1t along some
troublesome years, put up the build
ings in which its product was made
and personally engaged every man
employed by the company. He was
Woodworking and rather obstinate. He
made knives, forks, spoons, etc. Flat
ware is the trade term for such stuff,
as distinguished from hollow ware,
the name applied to metal pitchers,
turns, cups, etc.
Some years the company paid divi-
dends. Some years 1t did not. When
the trust was formed Mr.. Darbey had a
chance to be taken In, but, despite the
advice Of some of his stockholders, he
declined. The terms offered by the
trust were not attractive. In addition,
he preferred to be independent He
objected to trusts.
Mr. Darbey looked after the manu-
featuring end and the selling end. He
tried to look after everything. Some
men are that way. Business was none
too good for him after the trust got
well under way. He felt its competi-
ton keenly. He had trouble occasion
ally In meeting his pay roll. FIRE.
quently he had to ask the indulgence
of the banks. The more he went to
his bankers, the more they shook
their heads and advised him to reduce
the cost of production or economic
so that he would not have to borrow.
When Mr.. Darbey went out on a
selling trip he usually visited New
York. One of the men at the Hard
ware club was Peter Henry. They
discussed the condition Of the trade,
had luncheon together and occasional
ly visited show. They were quite
congenial. Every time Darbey came
to New York Henry suggested that
Darbey make him selling agent for
the manufacturing company.
Wanted to Be Selling Agent.
you ought to give all your time
and attention to the manufacturing
end" he would say. you are good
salesman, but you ought to stay at
your factory. / can do better for you
at the selling end than you can do for
yourself"
Darbey would smile, but would not
answer.
This went on for several seasons
Henry all the time becoming more and
more pressing in his suggestion about
the selling agency. Darbey had a
suspicion that Henry had a connec'
ton with the trust, but was not quite
sure. Henry never would admit II.
One spring when Darbey started
on his usual selling trip he and Henry
met, as was customary. Darbey was
rather downcast. His banks had
warned him they would not carry him
much longer unless conditions i'm
proved. Conditions were not improv.
ing and there were no signs that they
would. Darbey spoke without reserve
and explained the whole situation to
Henry. That gentleman said little un
til Darbey finished. Then he spoke
plainly.
you cannot go on this way, Oar
bey," he said. you will have to dc
as have told you many times. You
must devote your attention to the
manufacturing end. You will have tC
make me the New York selling agent
will take over all your product and
market it. That will relieve you In
money matters.
II will make prompt payments and
II necessary, make such advances as
you require. The way you are goine
there is nothing but disaster to result
1t is all very well for you to think 20,
can run this concern in the old way
but you cannot. You will have to con
form to modern methods. You per
sonally cannot both manufacture ant
| sell. You are all right for manufac
turing, but you are not all right fol
selling. Now we had better talk ovel
the arrangements for marketing you
stuff through me-"
Henry Had Bought Control.
Darbey didn't like the tone OF Hen
rvs speech and said so.
"You are talking as IL you were Civ
ing orders instead Of advice" he said
Henry smiled systematically.
Il am giving ORDERS" he said. "
have a right to-"
| What" exclaimed Darbey.
THAT is what said," was Henry.
rejoinder. 81 have bought control O
your company. have been picking
up the stock for some time. got 4
cheap. You are working for me nov
and / want this business conducted
according to my IDEAS"
| Darbey gasped.
Henry continued: II mean to con
duct this business on business lines
not as a one-man concern. You car
look after the shop up in Connecticut
will look after things down here
You will be relieved OF all anxiety.
am going to charge 20 per cent FOL