Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter III
He’sgottheRailroadCommissioninhispocket.He’sgottheGovernoroftheStateinhispocket.Hekeepsamillion-dollarlobbyatSacramentoeveryminuteofthetimethelegislatureisinsession;he’sgothisownmenontheflooroftheUnitedStatesSenate.Hehasthewholethingorganisedlikeanarmycorps.WhatAREyougoingtodo?HesitsinhisofficeinSanFranciscoandpullsthestringsandwe’vegottodance.”
“But—well—but,”hazardedBroderson,“butthere’stheInterstateCommerceCommission.Atleastonlong-haulratesthey——”
“Hoh,yes,theInterstateCommerceCommission,”shoutedAnnixter,scornfully,“that’sgreat,ain’tit?ThegreatestPunchandJudy;showonearth.It’salmostasgoodastheRailroadCommission.ThereneverwasandthereneverwillbeaCaliforniaRailroadCommissionnotinthepayoftheP.andS.W.”
“ItistotheRailroadCommission,nevertheless,”remarkedMagnus,“thatthepeopleoftheStatemustlookforrelief.Thatisouronlyhope.OnceelectCommissionerswhowouldbeloyaltothepeople,andthewholesystemofexcessiveratesfallstotheground.”
“Well,whynotHAVEaRailroadCommissionofourown,then?”suddenlydeclaredyoungOsterman.
“Becauseitcan’tbedone,”retortedAnnixter.“YOUCAN’TBUCKAGAINSTTHERAILROADandifyoucouldyoucan’torganisethefarmersintheSanJoaquin.Wetrieditonce,anditwasenoughtoturnyourstomach.TherailroadquietlyboughtdelegatesthroughS.Behrmananddidusup.”
“Well,that’sthegametoplay,”saidOstermandecisively,“buydelegates.
