Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter I
Themanwho,evenaftertwentyyears’trainingintheoperationofrailroads,candrawanequitable,smoothlyworkingscheduleoffreightratesbetweenshippingpointandcommonpoint,iscapableofgoverningtheUnitedStates.Whatwithmainlines,andleasedlines,andpointsoftransfer,andthelawsgoverningcommoncarriers,andtherulingsoftheInter-StateCommerceCommission,thewholematterhasbecomesoconfusedthatVanderbilthimselfcouldn’tstraightenitout.Andhowcanitbeexpectedthatrailroadcommissionswhoarechosen—well,let’sbefrank—asourswas,forinstance,fromoutanumberofmenwhodon’tknowthedifferencebetweenaswitchingchargeandadifferentialrate,aregoingtoregulatethewholebusinessinsixmonths’time?Cutrates;yes,anyfoolcandothat;anyfoolcanwriteonedollarinsteadoftwo,butifyoucuttoolowbyafractionofonepercent.andiftherailroadcangetoutaninjunction,tieyouupandshowthatyournewratepreventstheroadbeingoperatedataprofit,howareyouanybetteroff?”
“Yourconscientiousnessdoesyoucredit,Lyman,”saidtheGovernor.“Irespectyouforit,myson.Iknowyouwillbefairtotherailroad.Thatisallwewant.Fairnesstothecorporationisfairnesstothefarmer,andwewon’texpectyoutoreadjustthewholematteroutofhand.Takeyourtime.Wecanaffordtowait.”
“Andsupposethenextcommissionisarailroadboard,andreversesallourfigures?”
Theone-timeminingking,themostredoubtablepokerplayerofCalaverasCounty,permittedhimselfamomentarytwinkleofhiseyes.
