“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 the magnet’s needle?  Ambition influences an honorable legislator apparently to condone acts which he knows are wrong, that he may gain a Governor’s chair, from which position he can more surely crush out the evils he has always recognized and abhorred.  I do not say that all our stockholders are influenced by the guarantee I have given them that a franchise or a concession awarded to the Consolidated Companies means an advantage to the people they serve, but I have at least convinced them by word and act of my own sincerity, and of the possibility of so conducting the Companies that these results can be obtained.  I do not even say that every public official who co-operates with us is actuated by the highest motives in giving the Consolidated Companies special privileges, but I do say that he may properly be so actuated—­and the public receives the benefits.”

“But think of the power which this corporation must eventually possess, and the powerlessness of any individual or organization, business or otherwise, to oppose it.”

“Why should they wish to oppose it?” Gorham continued.  “As I have said, the combinations suggested can but result in economies in production and consequent reductions in the living expenses of the masses.”

“Yet you would hardly suggest that the Consolidated Companies has been launched as a philanthropic enterprise?”

Gorham’s smile returned.  “Not primarily, yet the people have already been benefited in no small degree.  It is entirely possible to conduct it along lines which will reduce the cost of all public utilities and necessities, and yet secure large financial returns to the Companies.”