with a constant
gain to our side in public opinion, though final victory was still far
off because of the unlimited money resources of "Standard Oil." In fact,
it gradually became evident that, though we might hold out, it was
impossible to whip "Standard Oil" to an open acknowledgment of defeat.

The phase of the problem that gave me keenest cause for uneasiness was
the possibility I recognized of treachery in my own camp. I had become
painfully aware that Addicks was getting impatient and was ready at any
favorable moment to make one of his quick Judas turns, which would land
him safe with Rogers as the price of the slaughter of the rest of us.
True, I had taken all possible precautions to safeguard my own and my
friends' interests against his craft by securing from him and from the
subsidiary companies iron-clad power to act for them without
consultation. To get this I had had to use great pressure, for he had
balked long and hard against giving it. This was the condition of
affairs when I decided to stake everything on one move.

* Certain of my critics have seized upon the transaction
with Mayor Matthews, narrated in this chapter, to say: "He
bribed the Mayor and is no better than other bribers."

The fact is, that the only thing the Mayor of Boston could
do in the gas war--take sides with Rogers, grant a permit to
the Brookline company to open the streets and come in
competition with our companies, thus compelling, in the
interests of the people, a reduction in the selling price of
gas from $1.25 to $1.00--the Mayor had already done. There
was nothing more in his power, and the only object we had in
securing his services was to put him between our companies
and Rogers, in the belief that Rogers, owing to his former
relations, would not dare fire through him.

I never, directly or indirectly, bribed Mayor Matthews; but,
on the contrary, only induced him to do what he had a moral
right to do and I a moral right to ask him to do.

FOOTNOTES:

[6] See page 109.

[7] Mr. Lawson's proclamations and market communications are invariably
printed on the finest grade of deckle-edged paper.--THE PUBLISHER.

CHAPTER XVI

PEACE NEGOTIATIONS WITH ROGERS

Having made up my mind that the time had come for a final engagement, I
decided myself to try legitimately to settle with Mr. Rogers, and
prepared two letters which, if he were