The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1919-06-05


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 sea. He
has 1t on his back, while 1t Is busily
kicking him in the shinsl
"Mr. Marshall has given you Mr..
Faraday's message. He has asked
you to dismiss your damage suits.
ask you to do more than that. Put
your hands In your pocketsi 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 racre.
Stop fighting against us. Fight with
US"
The audience stirred ominously.
angrily. Before MacLean was done.
voice screamed from the balcony.
"You can't quit That's a 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 emit help. You know 1t. We're
stripped. We're ruined. You think to
threaten us with the government-if
we walt for the government to decide.
the valley is gone-an6 the railroads
money with 1t. tell you. so1r hun
won't 60. We want justice. We are
going to have Sdstce."
"JusticeI" came fr0S. the surging
ranchers.
"Fair play" yelled Black. "You can.
trick rs. We were not born yesterday.
We have rights. The company brought
US here. What did we give our money
fort Desert landf What good Is this
land without waterf We bought wa
ter. Give us back the money we've
put in-that's what we're asking for.
We won't be scared sat of our rights"
There was q growing accompani.
ment from the back rows. herding to-
gether.
"Order," cried Babcock, thumpina
his gavel. LET Mr.. Black have the
floor."
Black had not stopped. Wildly his
hands cut the air. His speech. though
high-pitched, had prepared sound:
1t worked toward a climax. He gave
individual instances Of ruin. "Grace
Willard Grace. his crop gone. his place
cut in two. Hoiiister and Wilson OF
the Palo Verde. the ranch q scream.
ing horror. Scores of Others" He
would not mention his own case; and
then he itemized his misfortunes. Par.
rish, his place secured beyond all fu.
ture usefulness. What had they come
into the valley fort Who had urged
them? There were pledges Of the d.
r. water pledges. That was all those
ruined men we're pleading. the redemp.
tion Of those pledges. Individual ruin.
what did II mean? A curtailing Of luN
uries. OF personal indulgence. II tel
You. 1t means food. bread, potatoest
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, rs, we whs
are taxed already to our breaking
point You say your company won't
go any further. What does that help
mean to your Povertyi A few thou.
sands, q million to the o. r., a cor.
poration. what does a loss mean to
themf Poverty tell you, no. 4
smaller dividend. maybe. to whomi
Yes, to whomf To the men who lius
In Fifth avenue. whose wives are
dragged about in limousines. With
draw their suitsf Help Faraday. and
ruin men like Parrishf Men Of the
valley. what is your answer to Fara'
dayr
The crowd was on its feet, swayine
and pushing. The air was fetid with
breaths. Wilson's crowd had fOrgottep
its l0rgnettes. "No," yelled the ranch,
ers. I'VE say, no."
A boy made his way from the wings
q yellow envelope In his hand.
Babcock waved hnn on to Marshall
The audience was crying itself hoarse
Babcock lost control of the meeting
In that minute Of turning. Holrste-,
OF the Palo Verde, WINS striving to be
heard; Babcocks hammer sounded in
vain. But Marshall's eye had caughs
a spark from the yellow sheet. HI
sprang forward, throwing the dispat,>
toward MacLean. Ills excitemens
caught the eye of the crowd. 'Ths
river!" There was sudden hush
"The rivers cut agsinl" A groas
swept through the house. there vas Q
break toward the doors.
(TO BE CONrINUED)