Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter IV
Itoldyouthatthisquestionoftransportationwasdifficult.Youwouldnotwishtoputratessolowthattheactionwouldamounttoconfiscationofproperty.”
“WhydidyounotlowerratesinthevalleyoftheSanJoaquin?”
“ThatwasnotaPROMINENTissueintheaffair,”respondedLyman,carefullyemphasisinghiswords.“Iunderstand,ofcourse,itwastobeapproachedINTIME.ThemainpointwasANAVERAGETENPERCENT.REDUCTION.RatesWILLbeloweredintheSanJoaquin.TheranchersaroundBonnevillewillbeabletoshiptoPortCostaatequitablerates,butsoradicalameasureasthatcannotbeputthroughinaturnofthehand.Wemuststudy——”
“YouKNEWtheSanJoaquinratewasanissue,”shoutedAnnixter,shakinghisfingeracrossthetable.“WhatdowemenwhobackedyoucareaboutratesupinDelNorteandSiskiyouCounties?Notawhoopinhell.ItwastheSanJoaquinratewewerefightingfor,andweelectedyoutoreducethat.Youdidn’tdoitandyoudon’tintendto,and,bytheLordHarry,Iwanttoknowwhy.”
“You’llknow,sir—”beganLyman.
“Well,I’lltellyouwhy,”vociferatedOsterman.“I’lltellyouwhy.It’sbecausewehavebeensoldout.It’sbecausetheP.andS.W.havehadtheirspooninthisboiling.It’sbecauseourcommissionershavebetrayedus.It’sbecausewe’reasetofdamnfoolfarmersandhavebeencinchedagain.”
Lymanpaledunderhisdarkskinatthedirectattack.Heevidentlyhadnotexpectedthissosoon.Forthefractionofoneinstanthelosthispoise.Hestrovetospeak,butcaughthisbreath,stammering.
