"Is there a trust company by any chance back of this railroad you
are talking of?"
"There is," said Montague; and the Major shrugged his shoulders.
"There you have it," he said. "By and by they will find their first
bond issue inadequate to meet the cost of the proposed improvements.
The estimates of the engineers will be found too low, and there will
be another issue of bonds, and your president's company will get
another contract. And then the first thing you know, your president
will organise a manufacturing enterprise along the line of his road,
and the road will give him secret rebates, and practically carry his
goods free; or else he'll organise a private-car line, and make the
road pay for the privilege of hauling his cars. Or perhaps he's
already got some industrial concern, and is simply building the road
as a side issue."
The Major stopped. He saw that Montague was staring at him with an
expression of perplexity.
"What's the matter?" he asked.
"Good heavens, Major!" exclaimed the other. "Do you know what road
I've been talking about?"
And the Major sank back in his chair and went into a fit of
laughter.
Pages:
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208