Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter III
Osterman,youareproposingaschemeofbribery,sir.”
“Iamproposing,”repeatedOsterman,“aschemeofbribery.Exactlyso.”
“Andacrazy,wild-eyedschemeatthat,”saidAnnixtergruffly.“EvensupposingyouboughtaRailroadCommissionandgotyourscheduleoflowrates,whathappens?TheP.andS.W.crowdgetoutaninjunctionandtieyouup.”
“Theywouldtiethemselvesup,too.Haulingatlowratesisbetterthannohaulingatall.Thewheathasgottobemoved.”“Oh,rot!”criedAnnixter.“Aren’tyouevergoingtolearnanysense?Don’tyouknowthatcheaptransportationwouldbenefittheLiverpoolbuyersandnotus?Can’titbeFEDintoyouthatyoucan’tbuckagainsttherailroad?WhenyoutrytobuyaBoardofCommissionersdon’tyouseethatyou’llhavetobidagainsttherailroad,bidagainstacorporationthatcanchuckoutmillionstoourthousands?DoyouthinkyoucanbidagainsttheP.andS.W.?”
“Therailroaddon’tneedtoknowweareinthegameagainstthemtillwe’vegotourmenseated.”
“Andwhenyou’vegotthemseated,what’stopreventthecorporationbuyingthemrightoveryourhead?”
“Ifwe’vegottherightkindofmenintheycouldnotbeboughtthatway,”interposedHarran.“Idon’tknowbutwhatthere’ssomethinginwhatOstermansays.We’dhavethenamingoftheCommissionandwe’dnamehonestmen.”
Annixterstruckthetablewithhisfistinexasperation.
“Honestmen!”heshouted;“thekindofmenyoucouldgettogointosuchaschemewouldhavetobeDIS-honesttobeginwith.
