Evening star., 1915-01-10

The public took kindly to "the man in the box. and
the young reported at the end of the second
day that they had answered at least two thousand
queries concerning the franchise and distributed
than that number of copies of the franchise booklet
Benton did not need their reports however, to know
that public sentiment growing stronger favor of
the franchise each day. The friendly feeling toward
the lighting company was becoming tangible. He
could feel itand because he could feel it he knew that
Mcdonald also feeling it 1t time to go round
and see Smith, his reporter friend, and try to learn
what the shrewd old politician planning to do
about it.
At two o'clock that afternoon Bob Hall and General
Manager Moore in conference in the latters
office. Hail. flushed and angry was laying down the
law to Moore.
"You know McDonalds power" he said. "Weve
got give up to him. He's got three thousand
down the West Side that he can swing against
sod-and that's enough to beat He'll swing them
our way for a hundred thousand. We've got to come
across"
Moore frowned. @Why will three thousand votes
necessarily beat us? The public to be with
now
Hall leaned forward, exasperated. "Frank; he said
@this advertising campaign has gone your head. I'll
admit that we're stronger with the public than we
month ago; but you forget that there only
seventyeight hundred registered voters here Throw
three thousand of them against solid, and we're al
certain to lose the franchise.
Moore. a won't stand for it!'
Hall shrugged his shoulders. "If you want to be
fool, go ahead I've done my part"
Moore got up and strobe angry over to the window
He stood there for moment and then came back and
faced Hall. ave can't do it. Bob," he said almost
peadingly. 4We've got contract with Benton, and
we've got to live up to it. He's done his part
"Oh so that's what is worrying you'll sneered Hail.
"Well, l guess there a contract that l
Couldn't"
The sudden ring OF the desk telephone interrupted
him.
Moore picked up the receiver. "Wbats that? :. ).
Whv ! don't know-must it be todavo All right
then-at three o'clock" He laid the receiver back on
its hook and turned to Hall. well thresh this other
proposition LATER Bob. Benton's just asked
call a special meeting of the board of directors for
three o'clock Stick around. He says it's important.
XIHEN the directors meeting was called to order
w an hour later Benton lost time in getting
down to business Gentlemen he said, a have
luton here that wish you to pass, which l intend
to publish tomorrow in all the newspapers Here it is
RESOLVED That the Board of Directors of the Clifton
Light Power Company offer reward of $4,000 for
evidence leading to the arrest and of
who attempts buy any against the
lighting franchise that has been submitted to referen
dunn vote of the citizens of Clifton on election day
Hall, who had been sprawled out in one of the arm
chairs the end of the table, cambered to his feet
with oath. @What do you want to do he de-
manded hoarsely, "send us all to jail?"
"No, want to keep out!'
The lawyer WINGED at the emphasis Benton placed on
the personal pronoun But the lids of his watery blue
eyes red with rage he gared through his thick
spectacles at Benton, and his voice trembled he
turned to the directors.
Gentlemen" he said, give stood all I'm going to
from this person here 1t against my advice that
he was retained You know what I've done for this
companv-you can choose now between him and me-