The Washington herald., 1916-07-09
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Fails to Explain
Discrepancy in Electric-Lghting
Bids and Bill Rendered to City

Discrepancy in Electric-Lighting
Bids and Bill Rendered to City
The Senator read the headlines six
times. Then. fuming and muttering he
read the news story beneath them. Turn
ing to the editorial page. his eyes fell
on a leader" entitled "Mason's Rawest
Deal. Yet"
With a snort like a baited bulls. the
Senator snatched up his hat and his
heavy walking stick and stamped out
of his office. Five minutes later he
stormed into the city room of the Daily
Appeal and. brushing aside an office
boy who tried to bar his way. burst
unannouncei into stephen Fletchers pri-
vate sanCtum.
The editor was glancing over a sheaf
of smudged proof sheets. He looked up.
with no great show OF interest, as his
visitor entered. Fletcher was not sur
ing something Of the sort for a long
time.
Well, Senator Mason" he said curtIy
to the purple-faced millionaire who was
bearing wrathfully down upon him, what
can do for your
1 came here" Numbered the senator
TO order you to cease these unwarrant-
ed assaults upon my character, and to
retraCt this vile
The moment the assaults become
'unwarranted,' " returned Fletcher, they
will cease. Until then, they shall con-
tinue-until l have broken up the politi-
cal crOokedness that is wreCking our city
and county. L"
Are you responsible for this outrage
Gus article?" demanded Mason. thrust
ing the paper under Fletcher's nose Are
you? Speak up
Il am answered Fletcher and I have
here the proof sheets of a much stronger
one for tomorrows paper. I give you
fair warning that l.
He got no further. Mason's rage burst
all bounds of self-control and sanity. With
a wordless below. the senator swung
his heavy cane aloft and brought il
whizzing down on Fletcher's unprotected
head.
But the more fragile editor was as
nimble Of body as OF mind. He leaped
sideways from his chair as the murder
Gus blow descended, and ducked away
from it. seizing his assailant's arm.
The two grappled. Up and down and
across the tiny ofice they pummeled and
wrestled and butted their way. clinging
together in a right unloving embrace,
as they fought.
1t was not a battle that could have
hoped to win praise from adopts in the
hstic art For both men were somewhat
past middle age and OF sedentary habit.
and neither was accustomed to active
warfare. other than that of the written
or spoken word.
But, as 1t was, their tussle was fierce
ly waged. And by reason Of greater bulk
the senator presently began to get the
better Of it,
As the office force. aroused by the
turmoil. ran pell-mell into the room,
Mason struck his opponent a chance
blow in the face that sent Fletcher
clean on his feet. The editor fell.
hitting his head heavily against the
corner of his desk.
Before Mason could pursue his ad-
vantage, half a dozen men had seized
him and forced him. kicking and
snarling into a corner, where they
held him pinioned.
Shall 1 beat him up for you, boss?"
asked sympathetic reporter. helping
the dazed and bleeding Fletcher to his
feet. Say the word, and I'll make
the big stin look as II Won Hinden-
burg's army had been playing hand
ball with him.
No." painted Fletcher. swaying and
weak as he cIutched at the desk
fdge for support. " No. He deserves
II. but don't do IL. l fight my own
battles. Besides. IL would be against
the law. And this paper is struggling
for law and order in the community
Senator Mason has debauched. He