The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1919-03-14

@ Mxeo66oH1eazL caHezHy
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 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 spur-track
if you rush my gate through"
If," Rickard nodded. Granted. VI
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.
"What do yon 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 1t, promise to see them through
What do you know of the interests OF
stake? You want to put one hundred
thousand dollars into q frill. God, do
,yeu know what that means to my
company It means ruin Estrada
pulled him down In his seat e.
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 a lost
cause" be, maintained: IF It cuts Q
deeper gorge tie Imperial valley is d
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-rack, 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 ut
Babcock, when Richard called for q
vote. The appropriation was carried.
Hardin's face was swollen with rage.
Rickard then called for report on
the clam-shell dredge being rushed at
Yuma. Where was the machinery2
Was it not to have been finished in
February?
"Why not get the machinery here?
What's the use Of taking chancesW 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. "We are
going to take. none. ! want Mr.. Har-
din, gentlemen, appointed a committee
Of one to see that the machinery Is de-
iivered 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 1t
would not do to rely on 1t. The big
sewer system Of New Orleans was
about completed; he had planned to
write there. stating the need. And
there was man In Zacatecas, named
Porter :. ...
"Frank Porter7" sneered Hardin,
"that-murdererT
"His brother" Richard answered
pleasantly. "Jim furnishes the men
for the big mines In Sonora and Sina-
loa. He'll send US all the labor we
want, the best for our purpose. When
it gets red-hot, there's no one like a
peon or an Indian.
you'll be infringing on the interna.
tional contract law" suggested Mac
Lean.
mo. The camp is on the Mexican
side," laughed Casey. "Td thought of
that. Well have them shipped to the
nearest Mexican point, and then
brought to the border. Mr.. Estrada
will help u.s."
The meeting had already adjourned.
They were standing around the fiat
top desk. Estrada invited them all to
lunch with him, in the car on the sid.
ing. .MacLean said that he had to get
back to Los Angeles. Mr.. Babcock
was going to take him out to Grants
Heading in the machine. He had nev-
er been there. They had breakfasted
late. he looked very much the colonel
to Rickard, his full chest and stiff car
\