Life — August 26, 1915 — page 26: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“LIFE: ments) has a bonded indebtedness about thirty times the original cost of building. The annual interest on this indebtedness is so great that even when we get prosperous it will take much more than our profits to pay it. What I propose, therefore, with your kind co-operation, is to throw the road into the hands of a receiver, All this bonded indebtedness will then drop to about three cents on the dollar. We can buy what we don’t control from outsiders for a song, wipe out the whole thing, start all over again with a good, clean property at the beginning of an era of great prosperity.” At this point one of the directors in the rear arose. {r. Chairman,” he said, with a slight sneer, “when you first started out I thought you were JUSTIFIABLE Wife: Hubby: WILLtaM ! THATS ALL RIGHT, MY DEAR. DON'T YOU REALIZE YOU RAN OVER A MAN? HE'S THE FELLOW THAT GUARA: TEED TO TEACH ME HOW TO DRIVE THIS NEW CAR IN TWO LESSONS History Repeats Itself Or, The Turn of the Pendulum “CENTLEMEN, T a statement.’ It was the annual meeting of the directors of the Q. B. V. Railroad wish to make Company. The chairman looked about him at faces filled with a breathless interest, for it was apparent that a new crisis had risen in the affairs of the company. “If you will permit me,” he con- tinued, “I shall endeavor to be as brief as possible. In the first place, I wish to call attention to the fact that there is undoubtedly dawning upon us ae new cra of prosperity for all rail- roads, and we, of course, ought to come in for our share. The govern- ment has withdrawn its suits, and I y say—ahem!—that we have been given to understand that we shall in the future be let alone.” A unanimous sigh of satisfaction arose from the combined directorate. “But,” continued the chairman, “there is, I regret to say, one little matter which stands in the way of our getting anything more out of this road, Until this can be adjusted there is no hope.” A low murmur of suspense rose from his auditors. “Tt is this, gentlemen, From the time the road was first bpilt it was, of course, necessary to make occasional new bond and stock issues in order not only to meet cur necessary ex- penses, but also, as you who have had experience in these matters will readily understand, to reimburse some of the gigantic financial intellects who have from time to time controlled the road. There have also been one or two reorganizations. Now, gentlemen, the point is this: the road at present (duce to these great financial achieve- going to propose something original. But this sort of thing which you advise is as old as the hills and is only what has been done over and over again. While I have no doubt that it can be done once more, have you provided for all the possible contingencies? Suppose we should be sent to jail in accordance with the new standards of morality? What then?” The chairman smiled. His moment had come. “Tam very glad, gentlemen,” he replied, “that question has been asked. In order to show you that I am pro- ceeding on the most conservative lines I will say, gentlemen, that in view of the possibility mentioned I have quietly asked the Legislature of our State to put up one of the handsomest jails in the world, with all modern improve- ments, for our special benefit. Here are the plans for your approval.” Ten minutes later a unanimous vote was cast amid a low murmur of dis- creet applause. THE TOWN MOUSF AND THR COUNTRY MOUSE comicbooks.com