Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-14

Ring City Street Railway Company
wished to monopolize their legitimately
anticipated profits, this could be done
by the purchase of their franchises, and
good will, at purely nominal figure
buzz of satisfaction followed this
magnanimous offer, and little Henry
Peters was for purchasing the franchises
Immediately.
I'D have lost all my years of saving
If I'd sold my stock at 35.' he told his
neighbor
II don't understand 1t, but It's n skin
game" announced the crooked-nose
man who is this fellow. anyhow"
Mr.. Marley turned to Mr. Bozzam with
the frank smile of a gentleman.
And how much would your company
consider q merely nominal flgure?" he
inquired with smoothness.
1.-Two hundred and fifty thousand dol
lars cash." stated Bo2zam lightly.
Young Daniel b. Atkins Immediately
moved to accept that price.
MOI hotly yelled Bert Glider.
II second the notion" announced At
torney Tucker.
1T has been moved and seconded that
we purchase the franchises and good
will of the street car company repre-
sented by Mr.. Bozzam for the sum of
S250.OO0, cash." stated President Marley,
looking about him with cool aloofness
Are there any remarks2"
There were. a perfect pandemonium of
them, and out of the battle President
Marley recognized Attorney Tucker
Attorney Tucker begged leave OF the
chair TO ask Mr.. Bozzam just one ques-
ton, and received 1t.
Have you named your bottom fgure?'
he wanted to know.
Positively" declared Mr., Bozzam
with vast firmness.
zone more question: Are you empow-
cred to close this deal2'
'T am" replied Mr.. Bozzam. II have
free hand"
sledge almost looked at the genial
promoter.
"Then we must pay the price" fer
venty asserted Attorney Tucker This
is n CLEAN of hope in the darkness, a
way out of our difficulties, solution
to our troubles. We have the cash to
purchase these franchises, which will
give us a practical monopoly of the
city's street car business. We can either
increase our capitalization or issue
bonds to pay for our extensions, and, In
the meantime, the moment we conclude
this deal our stock jumps back to par. "
Loud cries of Question:! came from
all over the hall, and little Henry
Peters, after the demand had started
shouted louder than anybody
Young Daniel B. Atkins wanted to
make speech. and was granted that
privilege.
He was more enthusiastic about paying
out that $25O0OO than anybody, and being
q professional whooper-up, he used his
clarion voice and silver tongue to such
good advantage that the throng was with
difficulty restrained from rushing up to
Bozzam and paying him the money on
the spot.
In defiance of the madly expressed
wishes of the multitude, however, Presl-
dent Marley recognized Bert Glider.
Move to amend the resolution to read
fifty thousand in place of two hundred
and hftyu' he shouted.
Second the motion!" yelled a big
mouthed young man sitting next to
him,
"Mr. PRESIDENT exclaimed Mr.. Bozzam,
rising to his feet, THAT amendment Is
positively useless"
A frantic hubbub arose. The hall was
n sea of open mouths. Little Henry
Peters held his mouth open wider than
any stockholder present One could see
his tonslIs perfectly. He was helping TO
howl down Bert elders absurd amend
ment,
President Marley tapped his gavel ener-
getically.
time on speeches against this amend
ment." he announced. Are there any
remarks TO be made in favor of itT The
chair will permit five minutes for such
argument" He waited a moment. No
one arose. Attorney Tucker stood up.
'If the chair please" he began.
Are you about to speak In favor or
this amendment" interrupted the chair.
mo" replied Attorney Tucker.
"The chair refuses to recognize the
gentleman, announced the president,
1.-THE secretary will take roll-call vote
on the amendment"
They endured that as men do, only
venting their emotion by the yehemence
of their "Nos" on the rOll-calt vote. a
scant few had the temerity TO vote Eyes"
and were nearly mobbed for their daring.
The most of them kept their eyes on
Bozzam, In fearful anxiety lest, offended
by this proceeding, he might withdraw
his generous offer, and walk out, leaving
them doomed to extinction by his mighty
rivalry.
albert t. Glider" called the secre-
''Yesw voted Bert, and cured both
sides OF his mustache, looking across at
Sledge and grinning. He had the intense
satisfaction Of seeing Sledge turn, but
was disappointed after all. Sledge did
not look at him but at Hunt.
There followed another wilderness OF
"Nos!" voted by holders OF from five to
100 shares each.
"B. Franklin Marley" called Hunt,
and this time he caught Sledge's eye,
"Four thousand and twenty shares"
"Yes" voted Marley, with a snarlingly
triumphant laugh at Sledge, laugh
which showed his teeth and made his
nose an acute triangle down over them,
like the point OF a pen.
Sledge walked across to the secretary's
desk. while the balance Of the rabble
were shouting mol" and conferred with
Hunt a momenti then he went back to
his chair, and gazed steadily straight
ahead. at nothing. His small gray eyes
had no more CLEAN in them than dusty
marble.
Hunt announced the result of the vote,
but Sledge paid no attention TO the fig-
ures. The two votes of Marley and Bert
Glider had been sufficient to carry the
against the other two hun
dred stockholders.
I'VE will now vote on the original mo-
tion as amended" observed Marley, al
most earelessly. with a glance In the
direction OF Sledge. and he forced that
farce TO be carried out, while Sledge
quietly thought things over
The motion carrles" Marley was
pleased 10 state, after the dazed stock
holders had shouted MOP 70 their
nalnea. "Gentlemen 4 s useless fQr -