Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-01-26
coDvriaht 1914 bv tn. eobbs Merrill Co.

a playfulness intended to conceal his
real satisfaction.
Well. what's new:' asked Allerton,
closing the door carefully behind him
and sitting on the edge OF Buckley's
bed.
Street car business" returned
Sledge.
Il see we have two companies down
home" remarked Allerton. Which
one are you in?"
New one. Seven hundred and fifty
thousand"
"Wkew", whistled Ailerton. ANY
money involved:"
"All cash." Sledge told him. ION the
level
"You must haze a good outlook"
wondered AIcrton.
Nav. rrpudiated Sledge. ITS rot
ten. No Franchises
Il thought you held easily salable
ones from what | saw in the papers,
puzzled Allerton. If you haven't,
however, you can easily get them from
the city council
They're no good" insisted Sledge.
Short terms"
That's right" agreed Allerton, be-
ginning to see the light. franchises
in this state can be granted for twenty
years and are renewable in ten year
periods at the option Of the city coun-
ell. suppose your new franchises are
for twenty years
"Uh-hunh." assented Sedge. That's
when the profits begin
For both the company and its Off
cial friends" smiled Allerton. It's
rather n good provision as for as the
public is concerned. however. 1t gives
the people voice"
Why" demanded Sledge. They
only ride"
And pay" amended Allerton. We
talked this over before at Waver's
house and at your office. think I
called attention to the fact that the
people were beginning to expect con-
sideration for such valuable property
as franchises
They expect private car for a
nickel" claimed Sledge. We need
! franchise legislation
| Its dangerous thing to tackle
/ objected Allerton. The voters are be-
| ginning 20 have ideas about such
/ things
That's why we have to work quick,
Sledge Informed him.
What do you WANT" asked Allerton
Fifty year franchises-free."
Good Lord" exclaimed Allerton
Why. Sledge. the man who would pro
pose that might just as well retire from
politics forever
Sure" agreed Sledge.
The senator stopped. with shock
and reflected.
The street car interests in the state
are large, that's a fact" he acknowl
edged.
! Great game" approved Sledge. 81
better invest"
| 1t might be attractive" considered
the senator. How much stock do yol
think | should secure:'
| Million"
Even the seasoned senator. used a!
he was to private and personal discus
sions involving comfortable figures
was startled at the sound of that word
That listens very cheerfully." hi
conceded. DO you suggest that I-bu,
up-that amount Of stock for myself i,
the various street car companies of tn
state or that myself and friends SHOULD
club together for that amount:'
Hundred thousand extra for them
responded Sledge with the promptnes
Of d man who has done all his tigurin
beforehand.
Allerton spent some minutes in uuie
thought.
There's the legal business. too,
Sledge reminded him.
: That's So" agreed Allerton. IAN al
torney who is also large stOckholde
could control that clientage. Suppose
see Buckley about this? Send him il
will you:"
: Approaching the convenience of hay
, ing no witnesses to conversation
which so intimately concern the sery
ing Of the public, Sledge loafed OF
{. ana stood nonchalantly over the table
The five men looked up at him keenly
2 but Sledga was staring into Cap Di;
glesby's hand. Buckley finished hi
t deal and glanced up again. He imms
. diately arose.
4 Take my hand, will you. Sledge
\ lie legged. and he removed Sledge
d stein from the sideboard to the table
: Sledge sat down and fingered Bucl
d ley's chips while he drank at his bee
Hope you break him." observed Ca
y vim T. Luther as he presently dealt III
d cards, "Buckley's too all fred luck.
and think he plays crooked myself"
r House committee" yelled Franchis
u Walters. That's unclublike language
Q Sledge looked at his cards and put
chips and drew and bet with the air
- a NAL " NJ ID tOIiIi uitu III Tie Opiulo
y that the general average will get"
IL square player in the end. no matte
70 how he guards himself. and. since II,
o caring whether he won or lost Buc
ley's chips he bet the same ON flus
o as he did on pair of deuces. He la
l. increased Buckley stack slightly wht
i that gentleman returned. Sledge W;
Is about to rise. but Buckley sat in ALE
Is tons place instead.
IS Keep your seat. Sledge," be obser
ed as be nodded 10 Cap Digglest
Is Sladne's hitterest and most r.Lantle