ve some ten
millions in my own control, from actual purchases, options, and so
forth. I'm going to organize a holding company, when the time arrives,
and I figure that within the next year or so we will practically
control the production of beer and spirituous liquors in the United
States and Europe. The formation of that company will be a task worthy
of your genius, Hood."

"It will be a pleasure to undertake it," replied Hood with animation.
"By the way, Mr. Ames, I got in touch with Senator Mall last evening
at the club, and he assures me that the senate committee have so
changed the phraseology of the tariff bill on cotton products that the
clause you wish retained will be continued with its meaning unaltered.
In fact, the discrimination which the hosiery interests desire will be
fully observed. Your suggestion as to an ad valorem duty of fifty per
cent on hose valued at less than sixty-five cents a dozen pairs is
exceptionally clever, in view of the fact that there are none of less
than that value."

Ames laughed again. "Triumphant Republicanism," he commented. "And
right in the face of the President's message. Wire Mall that I will be
in Washington Thursday evening to advise with him further about it.
And you will go with me. Hood, we've got a fight on in regard to
the President's idea of granting permission in private suits to use
judgments and facts brought out and entered in government suits
against combinations. That idea has got to be killed! And the
regulation of security issues of railroads--preposterous! Why, the
President's crazy! If Mall and Gossitch and Wells don't oppose
that in the Senate, I'll see that they are up before the lunacy
commission--and I have some influence with that body!"

"There is nothing to fear, I think," replied Hood reassuringly. "An
important piece of business legislation like that will hardly go
through this session. And then we will have time to prepare to
frustrate it. The suggestion to place the New York Stock Exchange
under government supervision is a much more serious matter, I think."

"See here, Hood," said Ames, leaning forward and laying a hand upon
that gentleman's knee, "when that happens, we'll have either a
Socialist president or a Catholic in the White House, with Rome
twitching the string. Then I shall move to my Venezuelan estates, take
the vow of poverty, and turn monk."

"Which reminds me again that by your continued relations with Rome you
are doing muc