The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1919-06-14


Hardin had run too fast. 81 didn I
mean that" he stammered. IL mean
it will be difficult if we are delayed
much longer"
Have you the force to re-begin
work at Once?' demanded Richard.
Il had it," evaded Hardin. Il had
everything ready to 90 On-men, ma.
terial when we stopped the last
time"
Answer my question. please"
Il should have To assemble them
again" admitted Hardin Sulkily.
Richard consulted his notebook. 81
think we've covered everything. Now
want TO propose the laying of spur
track from Hamlin'S Junction to the
Heading" His manner cleared the
stage of supernumerarieS; this was
the climax. Hardin looked ready to
spring.
And in connection with that the de-
velopment of a quarry in the granite
hills back of Hamlin'S." continued Rick
| ard, not looking at Hardin.
Instantly Hardin was on his feet.
His fist Numbered on the table. Il
shall oppose that" he tlared. 1T is alb
sOlutely unnecessary. We can't afford
it, Do you know what that will cost,
gentlemen"
''One hundred thousand dollars ="
Richard interrupted him. II want an
appropriation this morning for that
amount. 1t is, in my opinion, absO-
lutely necessary if we are to save the
valley. We cannot afford not to do it,
Mr.. Hardin"
Hardin glazed at the other men for
support; he found MacLean's face a
| blank wall; Estrada looked uncOm-
| Portable. BabcoCk had pricked up his
| ears at the sound of the desired appro-
priatiOn; his head on one side, he
looked like an inquisitive terrier.
Hardin spread out his hands in help
less desperation. You'll ruin US" he
said. ITS your money, the o. P.'s,
but you're lending it, not giving it to
us. You are going to swamp the Des-
ert Reclamation company. We can't
throw funds away like that" One hun
dred thousand dollars! Why, he could
have stopped the river at any time If
he had had that sum; once a paltry
thousand would have saved them ~
didn't ask the o. =. to come in and
ruin us, but to stop the river; not to
throw money away in hOg-wild fash
ion." He was stammering inarticulate-
ly. There's no need Of a spur-track
if you rush my gate through"
If" Richard nodded. "Granted. II
we can rush it through. But suppose
il fails? Marshall said the railroad
would stand for no contingencies. The
interests at stake are too vital"
Interests" cried Tom Hardin.
"What do you know of the interest at
stake? You or your railroad? Coming
In at the eleventh hour, what can you
know? Did you promise safety to thou
sands of families if they made their
homes in this valley? Are you RESPONSE
ble2 Did you get up this company. in
duce your friends to put their money
in II, promise to see them through?
What do you know of the interests at
stake? You want to put one hundred
thousand dollars into a frill. God, do
you know what that means to my
company? 1t means ruin" Estrada
pulled him down in his seat.
Richard explained to the directors
the necessity in his opinion of the spur
track and the quarry. Rock in great
quantities would be needed; cars must
be rushed in to the break. He urged
the importance of clenching the issue.
IF it's not won this time, it's lost
cause" he maintained. IF it cuts a
deeper gorge, the Imperial valley is a
chimera; so is Laguna DAM"
The other men were drawn into the
argument. Babcock leaned toward Har-
din's conservation. MacLean was ju-
dicial Estrada upheld Richard. The
spur-track, in his opinion, was essen
tial to success. Hardin could see the
meeting managed between the new
conner and the Mexican, and his anger
impOtently ragged. His temper made
him incoherent. He could see Richard
cool and impersOnal. adding to his
points. and MacLean slowly won to
the stronger side. Hardin. on his feet
again, was suffering helplessly at
Babcock, when Richard called for a
vote. The appropriation was carried.
Hardin's face was swollen with rage.
Richard then called for a report on
the clam-shell dredge being rushed at
Yuma. Where was the machinery?
Was it not to have been finished in
February?
why not get the machinery here?
What's the use of taking chances" de-
manded Richard.
Hardin felt the personal implication.
He was on his feet in second. There
are no chances" He looked at Mac
Lean. "The machinery's done. It's no
use getting it here until we're ready"
There are always chances" inter
rupted his opponent coolly. 1--WE are
going to take none. ! want Mr. Har-
l. IN n
Mn sun @M%W