The Delta independent., 1916-03-03

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growing, progressive world of ours
absolutely nothing. Some of the big
gest and costliest buildings in New
York and Chicago are built on ground
leases. Our ground lease will merely
be little shorter in the factor of
time"
so much shorter that the parallel
won't hold" argued Brouillard.
THE parallel does hold; long time
small profits and slow return: short
time, big profits and quick return.
You've eaten here before; what do
you pay Bongras for a reasonably good
dinner?"
Brouillard laughed. "Oh, Poodles
He cinches US, all right; four or five
times as much as it's worth-or would
cost anywhere else"
That's it. He knows he has to
make good on all these little luxuries
he gives you-cash in every day as
you might say, and come out whole be-
fore you stop the creek and drown
him. When we get in motion we're
going to have Alaska faded to frazzle
on prices-and you'll see everybody
paying them joyfully."
And in the end somebody, or the
final series of somebodies. will be left
to hold the bag" finished Brouillard.
There needn't be any bag holders.
Brouillard. Let me put it in a nut
shell: we're building a cement plant,
and we shall sell you the output-at a
good. round price. l promise you, but
still at lower figure than you're pay
ing for the imported article now, or
than you will pay even after the rail
road gets in. When our government
orders are filled we can afford TO
wreck the plant for what it will bring
as Junk. Well be out of it whole, with
a nice little profit"
That is only one instance" object
ed the guest.
"WeH, Bongras. here, is one more"
laughed the host. And our power
plant is another. You made your little
kick on that to Washington-you
thought the government ought to con-
troll its 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 it needs at a
nominal price. and we're going to sell
enough more to make us all feel
happy"
Sell It? To whom?"
Mr.. Cortwright leaned back in his
chair and the sandy-gray eyes seemed
to be searching the inner recesses of
the querying soul.
That's inside information. but /
don't mind taking you in on it." he
said between leisurely puffs at his ci-
gar. We've Just concluded a few con-
tracts: one with Massingale-he's go
ing to put in power drills. electric ore
cars. and a modern equipment gener-
ally and shove the development of the
Little SUSAN one with a new mining
syndicate which will begin operations
at once on half dozen prospects on
Jacks mountain; and one with lum-
Der combination that has just taken
over the sawmills, and will install 9TH
ers. with 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 well be
lighting Mirapolis and within a month
after the railroad gets In well 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 IT might seem. We cant ex-
actly make the government stock
holder"
NO" said Brouillard mechanically
The underdepths were stirring. heav-
ing as II from a mighty ground
swell that threatened a tidal wave OF
overturnings.
I'VE are going to make you the gov
ernment 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; we'll
cut a nice little melon on that capitali-
zation every thirty days, or my name
isn't Cortwright."
But l have no money to invest