The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1916-04-13

minded him. The stockholders had
no right to ask for division of it."
They would if we had not put it out
OF harms road insisted the governor.
Ihat much has been saved to the
men who really earned it, but l should
not like to see similar profit exposed.
TO my mind, a per cent dividend fs
an even worse folly
ut gives confidence in the stock. "
argued Marley. The public would
never be so eager to take up this new
issue if it had not been for that 7 Der
cent dividend"
That's what it was for" inferno.
lated Sledge, looking out of the VIM
dow into the sunken garden and vain
~ hunting the hand hole in the gate.
1T has served its purpose" granted
Allerton, but taxpayers are becoming
greedy. When they see the stockhold.
ers OF public corporation making 7
per cent they want some of it and try
to make the corpora tons paw part Of
their taxes. In every city of impor-
lance the voters are demanding pay
for street car franchises and making
the street railway companies. in addi-
ton. bear half the cost Of all street
improvements
ITS bad outlook" agreed Cover.
nor Waiver. Frankly, as soon as I
receive my new issue Of stock shall
have it quietly placed on sale"
Marley looked at him Indignantly.
why. the street railway company is
entering on the greatest period Of
prosperity in its career" he asserted.
"Therell be no trouble about fran
chises. The city is wild to have the
improvements and must have them."
Allerton looked at him wonderingly.
"Waver is right he stated Il shall
sell my own stock. and Ill venture to
say that Sledge has already made ST.
lent arrangements for disposing of his
Do you know that the franchises at
present granted in this state are rev.
ocable and that it is not possible to
secure one which is positively safe for
longer than ten year periods? When
you come to the renewal Of your fran
chises, Marley, you viii he met with
demand for pay and will have other
restrictions imposed ON you. Our pres.
ent franchise law, in view of the pub
lie tendency, is bad one for IN
vestors.''
Lets fix it, suggested Sledge.
I'm afraid it's too late" protested
Allerton
Not for new gag dissented
Sledge. "a new one can be put over
quick" .
II fancy that there should be protec-
ton somewhere" opined the governor.
mo matter what changes in public
sentiment. the investing class. upon
which the public depends for prosper
ity, must always be protected"
But how?" inquired the senator
How in this particular case?"
Head 'em off," grunted Sledge.
I'm keeping my stock"
I'D be glad to hold mine," stated the
senator But how is it to be made OF
future value?'
''That's up to you" Sledge replied.
rising, Figure i; out and see me to-
morrow. Marley, want to talk to
you"
Mr.. Marley, today man worth over
a third of million dollars in the street
railway stock alone, arose in offended
dignity. He was trifle too impor-
tant, too capable and too wealthy to
be ordered about like a messenger boy
by a man who might shortly be con-
victed criminal. Molly had arranged
an interview between her father and
Bert on the previous afternoon, and
Mr.. Marley also now knew a thing or
two.
Il would suggest tomorrow" he stat
ed coldly. Il should much prefer to
talk with you during business hours"
This amt business" said Sledge,
leading the way into the library, where
he took seat in an alcove.
Marley followed him reluctantly.
"If it is my family AFFAIRS he be-
gan in protest.
"Sit down." directed Sledge. Bert
Glider has been making threats against
me-"
Has hc:" inquired Marley noncom.
mittally
Tell him to quit or make good" or
dered Sledge.
REALLY. Mr.. Sledge. don't see where
can interfere" reproved Mr.. Marley.
''The matter is entirely between you
and Bert"
Hes friend of yours" charged
Sledge
Yes acknowledged Marley. feeling
that he could afford to acknowledge II
now that the street car reorganization
had gone beyond the point where
Sledge could stop it.
How about this marriage with
Molly?"
That's Mollys affair."" stated Mar.
ley stitiiy.
"You know he's broke, don't you?"
Il heard something of the Sort" ad,
mitted Marley. He's d clever young
man, however, and until he gets on his
feet again have money enough foT
both"
You won't stop it, then?"
Certainly not declared Marley
feeling that he might just as well make
capital for courage out of the fact that
he could not in the slightest degree In
f1uence Molly. Il might, perhaps, pre-
fer more brilliant match for Molly
but do not need to make it a matter
of money. and there is no better fam
lily in America than Bert's. The Mary
land GIiders are the oldest and bes1
stock in this country. Moreover, abov,