"
"With all respect to you, Eminent Bodymaster, I think it may
matter very much to us. This process has been going on now for
ten long years. We are gradually driving all the small men out
of trade. What is the result? We find in their places great
companies like the Railroad or the General Iron, who have their
directors in New York or Philadelphia, and care nothing for our
threats. We can take it out of their local bosses; but it only
means that others will be sent in their stead. And we are making
it dangerous for ourselves. The small men could not harm us.
They had not the money nor the power. So long as we did not
squeeze them too dry, they would stay on under our power. But if
these big companies find that we stand between them and their
profits, they will spare no pains and no expense to hunt us down
and bring us to court."
There was a hush at these ominous words, and every face darkened
as gloomy looks were exchanged. So omnipotent and unchallenged
had they been that the very thought that there was possible
retribution in the background had been banished from their minds.
And yet the idea struck a chill to the most reckless of them.
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