The Lever | Page 6

on which the Consolidated Companies is based a moral one. I must
have succeeded in convincing these men, whose characters are
admittedly above reproach, or they could not have been persuaded to
become associated with our corporation."

"Idealism, monopoly, and self-interest seem ill-mated partners, Mr.
Gorham."
"Must monopoly and self-interest always be translated into selfishness
and oppression?"
"As far as I have observed they always have been," Kenmore asserted.
"Perhaps so; but must they necessarily be so exercised? Is it not
possible to control these human instincts to the extent of producing
beneficent results?"
The Senator considered. "I cannot conceive it to be even within the
bounds of possibility."
"Then, unless I can convince you to the contrary, I shall cheerfully
withdraw my proposition," Gorham replied, with decision. "You will
admit, I feel sure, that were I to eliminate self-interest the great
consolidation which we are discussing could not exist."
"Absolutely."
"Will you also admit the possibility--I do not yet say probability--of
conducting an organization such as the Consolidated Companies along
lines which might be for the public good?"
"Provided the public received the benefits of such economies as your
consolidations effected."
"Precisely--or even a part of these economies. Now, many of our
stockholders, whose names you see on that list, are in positions of trust.
Our directors have endeavored to select only those whose reputations
guarantee the honorable observance of their responsibilities."
"Then how can they serve the Consolidated Companies?"
"Let me explain more clearly," Gorham continued. "A franchise for a
street railway expires--here in Washington, in Chicago, in London, or
in Vienna. Those who are influential in awarding the new franchise are

among our stockholders. It is to their self-interest, truly, to place the
franchise in the hands of the Consolidated Companies, but it is also to
the best interests of the public, who, after all, are most concerned,
because the Companies is equipped with men and funds to give them
greater efficiency or cheaper transportation than any smaller
organization could possibly afford to do. In awarding us the franchise,
therefore, these officials are in no way proving themselves false to their
trust."
Gorham studied the half-averted face of his companion carefully before
he proceeded. "Do you follow me?"
"Perfectly, although not wholly sympathetically," the Senator replied.
Gorham smiled at Kenmore's frankness. "Suppose a government
requires a loan of, say, fifty million pounds sterling," he continued.
"Here in this little book you will find the names of practically all the
financial heads of the governments of the world. You will also find
here the leading figures in the world of finance. What is more natural
than that the Consolidated Companies be asked to negotiate the loan, to
the distinct advantage of both parties and of the Companies itself?
Incidentally I might say that we shall eventually establish an
international bank which will further simplify details. If it is a matter of
building bridges, we have among our stockholders the officials who
will award the contracts and the engineers best fitted to execute them.
Acting as a medium for both creator and producer, and in serving their
mutual self-interest, the Consolidated Companies can easily become
the greatest patron of the arts, both fine and mechanical, that the world
has ever seen,--and all this, with profit to itself. Could anything be
simpler?"
"You are prepared to build navies and also submarines to destroy
them?"
"'To do all such other things as are incidental or conducive to the
attainment of the above objects,'" quoted Gorham; "but our energies are
always exerted in constructive directions."

The Senator became absorbed in his own thoughts and was silent for
several moments.
"I don't see yet how those men were persuaded to associate themselves
with your corporation," he said, more to himself than to his companion.
"The vast business advantages which it already possesses are quite
apparent, but I cannot reconcile the conflict which must exist between
the dual capacities of your stockholders as individuals and as public
officials or officers of trust. Without intending to cast reflections upon
any name I have seen, I can scarcely resist asking myself if every man
has his price."
"I claim he has," Gorham stated.
The Senator turned upon him sharply. "Then my first impressions of
the principles of your enterprise were correct. I beg--"
"Please hear me out, Senator," Gorham urged. "I believe implicitly that
what I have just said is true, yet I venture to repeat to you that I
consider myself an idealist and an optimist. A man's 'price' has come to
be associated with money. I know this phase--what business man does
not? But beyond this, are there not far subtler influences, which in one
form or another draw every man away from the course he would
naturally steer for himself as surely as the iron deflects