Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1919-04-17

din7 He knew more about the involved
history Of the two companies than the
whole bunch on the stage down yon-
der. He could have told them, he
could have called ON their justice,
their memory
MacLean was speaking.
"Mr. Marshall has likened the river
project to the old man Of the sen. He
has 1t on his back. while 1t Is busily
kicking him In the shins!
"Mr. Marshall has given you Mr..
Faraday's message. He has asked
you to dismiss your damage suits. I
ask you to do more than that. Put
your hands in your pockets! Come
out and help us. You don't want the
government. am told that is the
sentiment Of the valley. When you
called to them. they wouldn't help
you; they wouldn't give you an ade-
quate price. Congress will soon be
adjourning. What Is Mr.. Faraday to
say to Washington Is he going to
close that break? That depends on
you. Withdraw your suits. Do more.
Stop fighting against us. Fight with
US"
The audience stirred ominously,
angrily. Before MacI.ean was done,
voice screamed from the balcony.
you can't quit. That's threat.
You're In too deep. You can't fool us.
You've got to save yourself. You've
got to go on. Tell Faraday to tell that
to Washington"
The uproar was released. Black,
from the Wistaria, jumped on his
chair. II am speaking for the valley.
We can't help. You know it. We're
stripped. We're ruined. You think to
threaten US with the government-if
we wa# for the government to decide.
the vssley is gone-and the railroads
money with 1t. tell you, your blum
won't go. We want justice. We are
going to have Justice"
"Justlcew came from the surgine
ranchers.
"Fnlr play" yelled Black. "You can't
trick MS. We were not born yesterday.
We nave rights. The company brought
us hgve. What did we give our money
for7 Desert land7 What good is this
land without water7 We bought wa
ter. Give us back the money we've
put Sn-that's what we're asking for.
We won't be scared out Of our rights"
There was growing accompani-
meue from the back rows. herdlng to-
gethAr.
"Order," cried Babcock. humping
his Havel. LET Mr.. Black have the
floor"
Black had not stopped. Wildly his
names cut the air. Ills speech. though
higk-pitched, had prepared sound:
1t worked toward climax. He gave
inc. yidual instances of ruin. "Grnce,
Wizard Grace, his crop gone his place
cut In two. HOLSTER and Wilson of
the Palo Verde, the ranch scream
Ing horror. Scores of Others" He
would not mention his own case; and
then he itemized his misfortunes. Par
IRISH. his place secured beyond all fu-
ture usefulness. What had they come
into the valley for? Who had urged
them? There were pledges of the d.
r.. water pledges. That was all those
ruined men were pleading, the redemp-
ton Of those pledges. Individual ruin.
what did 1t mean? A curtailing of lux
uries, OF personal indulgence. II tell
you, 1t means food, bread. potatoes:
milk for the babies: or starvation"
Black had touched the deep note.
This was the answer. THIS was what
they wanted to say.
"You ask us to help you, us, we who
are taxed already to cur breaking
point. You say your company won't
go any further. What does that help
mean to you? Poverty a few thou
sands, million to the o, F., cor
poration, what does a loss mean to
them7 Poverty7 tell you. no. A
smaller dividend. maybe, to whom7
Yes. to whom? To the men who Hive
In Fifth avenue. whore wives are
dragged about In limorEnes. With
draw their suits7 Help Faraday. and
ruin men like Parrish7 Men Of the
valley. what is your asswer to Fara.
dayT'
The crowd was on itn feet, swaying
and pushing. The air was fetid with
breaths. Wilson's crowd had forgotten
its lorgnettes. mo-" yelled the ranch.
ers. 1--WE say, no.
A boy made his way from the wings,
. yellow envelope In hie hand.
Babcock waved him on to Marshall.
The audience was crying itself hoarse.
Babcock lost control Of the meeting
In that minute Of turning. Hollister.
OF the Paio Verde, was striving to Be
heard; Babcock's hammer sounded In
vain. But Marshall's eye had caught
q spark from the yellow sheet. He
sprang forward, throwing the dispatch
toward NacLean. His excitement
caught the eye. Of the crowd. .The
rivera1 There was sudden hush,
'sThe rivers ont againl" A groan
swept through the house, there was Z
break toward the doors.
Cro BE coNTrNUED.)
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