Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-05

M
hhnsrers 10 technical Questions ,riii be sent
q his co,mHn. Thc NOS, tcrSstg y" %S n"SgSri prob
story Of Peter Fhrt
tCon'ri1btt
CXXXH
I THINK the interview which Question
= and Pillsbury had with Graham
finished little bit in Gaham's favor.
They tried the good-fellow stunt for
some time. and think they hoped to
'olly Graham into signing a transfer Of
the patent rights over to the Console
dated. They offered $4,000 in cash and
$4,000 in common stock
After little while Graham took the
paper and to my horror began TO write
where they told him to. noticed a
quick glance Of triumph pass between
Question and Pillsbury, and | couldn't
help crying out:
Don't give it to them. Francis, :"
To whom are you talking" he asked
quickly Then I realized that I had to
remember my place during this inter-
view
Question snatched the paper which
Graham handed to him, glanced at it and
then threw 1t down disgustedy.
| Damn it all, what's this"
! took the paper. looked where his sig
nature should be and read: Not
enough-try again :"
1t occurred to me that I should keep
that paper. so | slipped it quietly from
the table to my knee. There I folded il
and put it in my trousers pocket.
"Oh, tut, tut. Question :" said Pillsbury
You must not blame Graham for want
ing to ret more. But don't you think
Ora ham that you have an exalted idea
Of the falue of the invention and of its
value to the Consolidated? You know the
Consolidated Is n tremendous power and
could put you-and your invention-out
of business But no--that's not our way
Of doing things How much do you
think it is WORTH"
Ten thousand dollars worth of pre-
ferred stock and the privilege of buying
all I can afford within the next three
months"
But there is no preferred stock on the
market. you know There's nothing but
common on the market"
which never pays a dividend" added
/ Graham. Frankly, gentlemen. common
stock has no value so far as I am con-
cerned. Tho few thousand dollars worth
which have has paid no dividend Mt all
| so far. and It looks as though it won't for
a while. for ] notice that salaries and eX-
penses keep increasing at a sufficiently
rapid rate to swallow up any surplus
after the dividend on the preferred stock
has been paid
That's wrong--that's wrong, Why
only three years ago we declared a divi-
dend of per cent on the common"
k,l bn on
stockholders quiet for two years. pre-
sumo next year you will pay 4 per cent
or will it be 5?'
Really. Graham" began Pilsbury. 81
think you are presumng upon our
friendship for you. | will make YOU
last offer We will give you 100000
common stock and $1,000 in cash, which
II you wish. you can invest in preferred
stock. This offer is open for five min
utes only" Here he took out his watch
imprcSsively. After that time the offe
is withdrawn, and in pace q it the Con
solidated will start suit against you fol
the restitution of their rights in tn,
shape of your invention. which we claim
> you have stolen from US"
'I think ! understand your terms gen
tlemen. By-the-by. when does the boa
arrive from Sweden"
"If you are referring to the Swedish
I agent. he arrived two days ago. In fact
he has been our guest during that time
| wonder If you would like to hear a lit
! tie agreement we have with him." II,
took out a square of blue paper, opene,
it and read:
On behalf of and by the authority O
the Swedish Metals Machine Company.
Gustav Bnnen, do undertake TO purcha 5,
all inventions of and improvements OF
the machine which at present is lease,
by rs to the Consolidated Machine Com
; pany. from and through the aforemen
toned Consolidated Machine Company
and should | be approached by other Con
Germs or individuals, ! will negotiate viii
them only through the Consolidated Ma
= chine Company"
Gee. / thought, that looks like putt
ing poor old Graham on the blink.
Graham smiled, however, and sail