Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-02-28


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 paltry
thousand would have saved them 81
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 a spur-track
if you rush my gate through"
eff" Rickard nodded. Granted. If
we can rush it through. But suppose
it fails? Marshall said the railroad
would stand for no contingencies. The
interests at stake are too vital"
Interests !" cried Tom Hardin.
'sWhat 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
BILE? Did you get up this company, in
duce your friends to put their money
in IT. promise to see them through?
What do YOU know of the interests at
stake? You want to put one hundred
thousand dollars into frill. God, do
you know what that means to my
company? 1t means ruin" Estrada
pulled him down in his seat.
Rickard explained to the directors
the necessity in his opinion of the spur
track and the quarry. Rock in great
| o,,o,+;+;oc would ho Doo6od. oorc rnr1Ct
be rushed in to the break. He urged
the Importance of clenching the issue.
IF it's not won this time, it's a lost
cause" he maintained. eff it cuts a
deeper gorge, the Imperial valley is a
chimera; so is I.aguna DAM"
The other men were drawn into the
argument. Babcock leaned toward Har-
dins 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 Rickard,
cool and impersonal adding to his
points. and MacLean slowly won to
the stronger side. Hardin, on his feet
again, was sputtering helplessly at
Babcock, when Rickard called for a
vote. The appropriation was carried
Hardin's face was swollen with rage.
Rickard then called for q report on
the clam-shell dredge being rushed al
Yuma. Where was the machinery
Was it not to have been finished in
February?
"Why not get the machinery herei
What's the use of taking chances?" de-
manded Rickard.
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 nc
, use getting it here until we're ready"
There are always chances" inter
rupted his opponent coolly. "We are
going to take none. l want Mr.. Har
, din, gentlemen, appointed committed
of one to see that the machinery is de
livered at once, and the dredge rushed
The working force was informally
discussed. Hardin said they could de
pend on hobo labor. Rickard agreed
that they would find such help, but i
would not do to rely on it. The bi;
sewer system of New Orleans wa
about completed; he had planned t.
write there, stating the need. Ant
there was q man in Zacatecas, name,
Porter
Frank Porter?" sneered Hardin
= ''that-murderer"
His brother" Rickard answers
pleasantly. "Jim furnishes the mel
: for the big mines in Sonora and Sina
q loa. He'll send us all the labor W
9 want, the best for our purpose. Whel
; it gets red-hot, there's no one like
9 peon or an Indian.
you'll be infringing on the interna
: tional contract law" suggested Mac
:, Lean.
+ mo. The camp is on the Mexican
v side," laughed Casey. "Td thought o
i that. Wen have them shipped to tn
a nearest Mexican point, and the
/ brought to the border. Mr.. Estrad
will help u.s."
: The meeting had already adjourned
f, Ihey were standing around the f1at
, top desk. Estrada invited them all
p lunch with him, in the car on the sic
ing. MacLean said that he had to &c
= back to Los Angeles. Mr.. Babcoc
: was going to take him out to Grant
i Heading in the machine. He had ne,
= er been there. They had breakfaste
: late. He looked very much the colont
:. to Rickard, his full chest and stiff cal
= riage made more military by his triI
uniform of khaki-col6red cloth.
May speak to you about your bo.
Mr.. MacLean?"
. Hardin caught a slight that was nc
intended. He pushed past the grou
= at the door without civility or Ger,
= mony.
= The steady grave eyes of the bi
frame looked at Rickard inquiringly
'He wants to stay out another yea
hope you will let him. It's not dish
terested. l shall hSve to take steno;