Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1921-03-14
The
Wreckers
By
FRANCIS
LYNDB
Copyright by ChGs scrihncrs sons


In measure. though the opposition
has been keeping ny a steady lombard
ment. Hatch and his people haven't
heen Idle. They own or control a
dozen or more prominent newspapers
IN the state, and as YOU know, they
arc making an open fight on you and
YOUR management through these pa.
pers, The net result so far has been
merely to keep the people stirred mp
and doubtful. They say that the rail
road has never played fair--and I
guess 1t hasn't, In the past"
mot within a thousand miles, was
the boss curt comment But go on
with your story
I'VE pulled the new deal of ycstcr-
day, simultaneously in eleven of the
principal towns along the line. Meet.
ings Of the bankers and local capital.
lists were held and we had man at
each one Of them 10 explain our plan
and to pledge the backing of the rail
road. Notwithstanding all the doubt
and dust that's been kicked M ny the
Hatch people, II went like wlld.fre"
with money" Qucricd the boss.
Yes; with real money Citizens
Storage Il Warehouse was launched
as You might say on the spot. ana
enough capital was subscribed to make
II going concern OF course, there
were some dOubters. ana some few
greedy ones The greedy ones pro
tested against the fixed dividend
scheme; they didn't see why the new
company shouldn't be allowed to cut
a melon now and then If it should be
fortunate enough to grow one"
Mr. Nor"ross SMILED, THAT is
precisely what the Hatch people have
been doing all along, and It is the
chief grievance OF these same people
who now want chance TO outhid their
nelghborS. The lease condition was
fully explained to them, wasn't IT,"
"Oh, yes; Ripley saw to that, and
copies Of the lease were in the OK.
hibits- The new company is to have
railroad ground to build on. and ample
track facilities in perpetuity. condi-
toned strictly upon the limited div.
idenh. II the dividend is increased,
the leases terminate automatically"
The boss drew long breath.
you've done well, and better than
well. BIl0ughhy," he said Now we
are ready to fire the blast. How was
the proposal to take over the Red
Tower properties at a fair valuation
recevedT
There WAS some opposition. Les
terburg, and three Of the other larger
towns. want to build their own plants.
But they agreed to abide by major
ity vote Of the stock on that point
and my wire reports this morning say
that n lump-Sum offer will he made
for the Red Tower plants today"
Mr.. Norcross sat back in his chair
aud blew n cloud Of cigar smoke to-
ward the ceiling.
Hatch won't sell" he predictcd
ii- u nv Nv "'i' "'i''' H'S"t WIN
bioon III MS eye / N ra'h"f G'aa II
mas come gown I" t''e ac'0o' give "fo
take. | don't play the waiting gone
very successfully, Rilloughby. Keep
IN tourh, ana keep me IN t"urh. Ana
teii hiplpS I" hHep "i' insn'hs On '''
reihs. ne sooner we ger az IT, the
sooner IT VIII DE- over
S''er hI''ous"oS VA" S"u', MI Nor
cross came AT me "l H''i' H'a''e'
mat h''u peeh Hh"N'o 10 steep ever
since me Jay no" some 'iihe ha'k'
"heh l han gwen MN MIS- >h"'ia
hlnf at'ut IN" ln'hu'E OF me wv"
men who had sat ana smoked in the
hhfo mat sunday night at Sand Creek
sidlhg, and about the talk between
the same two that had overheard
the Following morning.
I'VE are going 70 have sharp trouble
with gentleman by the name of
Hatch before very long, Jimmie" was
the way he began. You remember
what you told me about that Monday
morning talk between Hatch ana
Henckef in the Billiard LOBBY. Would
you be willing to 90 into court as a
witness and swear to what you
heard:
sure ] would | said.
All right. | may have to pun that
niue incident on Mr.. Hatch before |
get through with him. The train hold