The Raymer enterprise., 1919-07-10

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ran Hardin's stormy thoughts.
He was on his feet the next minute
with a motion to complete the Hardin
headgate. Violently he declaImed to
Babcock md MacLean his wrongs, the
injustice that had been done him. Mar
shall had let that fellow Maitland con-
vince lin that the gate was not prac-
tcable.. had It not been for him the
gate would be In place now; all this
time and money saved. And the Matt.
land dam. built instead Where was
1t? Where was the money. the time.
put In that little toy? Sickeningl His
face purpled over the memory. Why
was he allowed to begin again with
the gate? "Answer me that. Why
was allowed to begin again7 It's all
child's play, that's what It is. And
when / am In 1t again up to my neck
he pulls me of ~
This was the real Hardin, the un-
couth, averaged Lawrence studentl |
The new manner was just veneer.
Rickard had been expecting 1t to wear
| thin.
Il think" interjected Rlckard, "that
we all agree with Mr.. Marshall. Mr..
Hardin. that wooden headgate on silt
foundation could never be more than
makeshift. understood that the
first day he visited the river with you
he had the idea to put the ultimate
gate. the gate which would control the
water supply Of the valley, up at the
Crossing on rock foundation. Mr.. Mar
shall does not expect to finish that In
time to be Of first use. He hopes the
wooden gate will solve the immediate
problem. 1t was case Of any port In
storm. He has asked me to report
my opinion"
why doesn't he give me a chance
to go ahead them" growled the de-
posed manager. 'Instead Of letting
the intake widen until 1t will be an i'm
possibility to confine the river there
at all?"
$50 You do think that 1t will be an
Impossiblity to complete the gate as
plannedy
Hardin had run too fast. II didn't
mean that" he stammered. II mean
1t will be difficult II we are delayed
much longer"
"Have you the force to re-begin
work at once?" demanded Rlckard.
Il had It," evaded Hardin. II had
everything ready to 60 on-men. ma.
terial - when we stopped the last
time"
Answer my question, please"
Il should have to assemble them
again." admitted Hardin sulkily.
Rickard consulted his notebook. II
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 quarry In the granite
hills back Of Hamlln's." continued Rick.
ard. not looking at Hardin.
Instantly Hardin was on his feet.
His fist thundered on the table. II
shall oppose that" he fiared. 1T is ab-
solutely unnecessary. We can't afford
| 1t. Do you know what that will cost,
gentlemen?"
"One hundred thousand dollars!"
Rickard interrupted him. Il want an
appropriation this morning for that
amount 1t is. In my opinion, abso-
lutely necessary II we are to save the
valley. We cannot afford not to do It,
Mr. Hardinw
Hardin glared at the other men for
support; he found MacLean's face a
blank wall; Estrada looked uncom.
Portable. Babcock had prlcked up his
ears at the sound Of the desired appro-
priation; his head on one side, he
looked like an inqulsitive terrier.
Hardin spread out his hands In help.
less desperation. you'll ruin u.s." he
said. ''It's your money, the o. P.,s,
but you're lending 1t, 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 dollarsl Why, he could
have stopped the river at any time II
he had had that sum; once paltry
thousand would have saved them ~
didn't ask the o. p. 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 spur-track
IL you rush my gate through"
"If." Rickard nodded. "Granted. II
we can rush 1t 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
stalker You or your railroad? Coming
In at the eleventh hour. what can you
know? Did you promise safety to thou
sands of families II they made their
homes in this valley? Are you RESPONSE
blei Did you get up this company. In
duce your friends to put their money
In 1t, promise to see them through?
What do you know of the interests at
stake? You want to put one hundred