Атлант расправил плечи

           "WhendidIevermakeanyprofits?Nobodycanaccusemeofrunningaprofit-makingbusiness!

           Justlookatmybalancesheet—andthenlookatthebooksofacertaincompetitorofmine,who’sgotallthecustomers,alltherawmaterials,allthetechnicaladvantagesandamonopolyonsecretformulas—thentellmewho’stheprofiteer!...But,ofcourse,thepublicdoesneedrailroads,andperhapsIcouldmanagetoabsorbacertainraiseinrates,ifIweretoget—it’sjustathought—ifIweretogetasubsidytocarrymeoverthenextyearortwo,untilIcatchmystrideand—"

           "What?Again?"yelledMr.Weatherby,losinghisprimness."Howmanyloanshaveyougotfromusandhowmanyextensions,suspensionsandmoratoriums?Youhaven’trepaidapenny—andwithallofyouboysgoingbrokeandthetaxreceiptscrashing,wheredoyouexpectustogetthemoneytohandyouasubsidy?"

           "Therearepeoplewhoaren’tbroke,"saidBoyleslowly."Youboyshavenoexcuseforpermittingallthatneedandmiserytospreadthroughthecountry—solongastherearepeoplewhoaren’tbroke."

           "Ican’thelpit!"yelledWesleyMouch."Ican’tdoanythingaboutit!

           Ineedwiderpowers!"

           TheycouldnottellwhathadpromptedMr.Thompsontoattendthisparticularconference.Hehadsaidlittle,buthadlistenedwithinterest.