Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1916-02-01
prlding himself on his management.

" III SClN lSC WI lOl llic uSC VI
| public property"
THE people are ratefrll,' mourn
ed Governor Waiver, who had enriched
himself through furnishing electric
| light ut his own price to public
] which had known nothing better than
gas. THE moment they see profit
| on their luxuries they want part Of it.
An undivided surplus such as the street
car company has had is constant
menace"
That was sinking fund for extern
sions and improvements. Marley re.
minded him. THE stockholders had
no right to ask for a division Of IT,
They would if we had not put it out
Of harms road" insisted the governor.
"That much has been saved to the
men who really earned it. but should
not like to see similar profit exposed.
| To my mind, a per cent dividend is
an even worse folly"
1T gives confidence in the Stock
argued Marley. 1.-THE public would
never be SO eager to take up this new
issue il it had not been for that I per
cent dividend"
That's what it was for" interpo-
lated Sledge, looking out of the win
| dow into the sunken garden and vain
" hunting the hand hole in the gate.
1T has served it's purpose" granted
Allerton, ''but taxpayers are becoming
greedy When they see the stockhold-
ers OF public corporation making I
! per cent they want some Of it and try
to make the corporations pay 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 a bad outlook" agreed Cover.
nor Waiver. Frankly, as soon as
receive my new issue Of stock shall
have it quietly placed Oh SALE
Marley looked ut him Indignantly.
why. the street railway company is
entering on the greatest period Of
prosperity in it's career" >he asserted.
'.IhereIl be no trouble abour fran
| chises. The city is wild to have the
|
improvements and must have Them
Allerton looked at him wonderingly.
"Wayer 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 ut
present granted in this state are rev.
In md fhof iS v,nSSi1nla tN
secure one which is positively safe for
longer than ten year periods? When
you come to the renewal of your fran
chises. Marley, you will be met with
a 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." Z.
Lets fix it, suggested Sledge.
TIN afraid it's too late" protested
Allerton.
Not for a 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 il out and see Inc to.
morrow. Marley, l want to talk to
you"
Mr.. Marley, today man worth over
third Of million dollars in the street
railway stock alone. arose in offended
dignity. He was triAe TOO impor
tant. too capable and too wealthy to
be ordered about like 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 thing or
two.
II would suggest tomorrow" he stat
ed coldly. IT should much prefer to
talk with you during business hours"
This amt business" said Sledge.
leading the way into the librarys where
he took q 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 hep inquired Marley noncom-
mittally.
Tell him to quit or make good" or
dered Sledge.
Really. MIR. Sledge. don't see where
can interfere" reproved Mr.. Marley.
The matter is entirely between you
and Bert"
Hes a friend of yours" charged
Sledge.
yes" acknowledged Marley. feeling
that he could afford to acknowledge 1t
now that the street car reorganization
had gone beyond the point where
Sledge could stop it.
How about this marriage with
Molly?''
..!gb,t's Nf,~1I,,.., nr.,;r, .t,fnI Mor-