Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-05-18

Ing for the imported article now, or
than you will pay even after the rail-
road gets In. When our government
orders are filed We can afford to
wreck the plant for what 1t will bring
as junk Well be out Of 1t whole. With
q nice little profit"
THAT is only one instance" object
ID the guest.
We'll. Bongras, here, Ia one more, "
laughed the host "And our power
plant 10 another. You made your little
kick on that to Washington-you
thought the government ought to con-
troll FL own power. That was all
right, from your point of view, but we
beat you to 1t. Now the reclamation
service gets all the power 1t needs at a
nominal price, and we're going to sell
enough more to make us ell feel
happy"
Sell It? To whomr'
Mr.. Cartwright leaned back in his
chair and the sandy-gray eyes seemed
to be searching the inner recesses Of
the queryins soul.
That's inside information. but I
don't mind taking you In on It," he
said between leisurely puffs at his CT
gar. We've Just concluded few con-
tracts: one with Massingale-he's go
ing to put In power drills. electric ore
cars. and q modern equipment gener-
ally and shove the development Of the
Little Susan one with new mining
syndicate which will begin operations
at once on half q dozen prospects on
Jacks mountain; and one with lum-
Der combination that has Just taken
over the sawmills. and will install 9TH
ers, with a planning mill and sash fac
tory"
Brouillard nodded. The gray eyes
were slowly hypnotizing him.
But that isn't ALL" continued the
promoter. I'VE are about to reincor-
porate the power plant as the Niquoia
Electric Power, Lighting and Traction
company. Within fortnight we'll be
lighting Mirapolis. and within a month
after the railroad gets In Wen be oper-
ating trolley cars"
The enthusiast paused to let the
Information sink In, also to note the
effect upon the subject. The noting
was apparently satisfactory, since he
went on with the steady assurance of
one who sees his way clearly.
THAT brings us down to business.
Brouillard. | don't mind admitting
that had an object in asking you to
dine with me this evening. It's this:
we feel that in the reorganization Of
the power company the government,
which will always be the largest con-
sumner, should be represented in some
effective way; that its interests should
be carefully safeguarded. 1t is not so
easy as 1t might seem. We can't ex-
actly make the government a stock
holder"
NO" said Brouillard mechanically.
The underdepths were stirring, heav-
ing as IL from a mighty ground
swell that threatened a tidal wave Of
overturnings
1--WE are going to make you the gov
eminent director, with full power to
investigate and to act. And we're not
going to be mean about it, either. The
capital stock OF the company Is ten
millions. with shares Of par value
Of one hundred dollars each, full paid
and nonassessable. Don't gasp; well
cut nice little melon on that capitali-
zation every thirty days, or my name
isn't Cartwright
But | have no money to invest :"
was the only form the younger mans
protest took.
I'VE don't need your money" cut in
the financier with curt good nature.
What we do need Is consulting en-
gineer, man who, while he Is one Of
US and identified with us, will see to
it that we're not tempted to gouge our
good Uncle Samuel"
Brouillard smoked In silence for a
full minute before he said: You know
as we'll as l do, Mr.. Cartwright, that
1t Ia an unwritten law of the service
that civilian employee Of the govern
ment shall not engage in any other
business"
mo, don't" was the blunt reply
~Supposing your father had left you a
hundred thousand dollars to invest in
stead Of debt of that amount-you
see, l know what load your keen
sense OF honor is making you carry
suppose you had this money to invest,
would your position in the reclamation
service compel you to lock it up in a
safety vault?"
Certainly not, but II the department
should learn that I am a stakeholder
in company from which 1t buys it's
power"
There wouldn't be a word said-not
one single word. They know you in
Washington, Brcuillard, better, per-
haps, than you think they do. They
know you would exact q square deal
for the department even IL 1t cost you
personal money. It's your duty and
part Of your job as chief of construc-
ton. And we'll leave the money con-
sideration entirely out Of it II you like.
You'll get stock certificate which
you may keep or tear up or throw into
~ y