Atlas Shrugged [324]
The chairman said, not looking at her, his voice pointedly noncommittal, yet vaguely purposeful at the same time, "It would have been all right, everything would have worked out fine, if it weren't for the wrong people in positions of power, such as Buzzy Watts and Chick Morrison."
"Oh, I wouldn't worry about Chick Morrison," said the pallid man with the mustache. "He hasn't any top-level connections. Not really.
It's Tinky Holloway that's poison."
"I don't see the picture as hopeless," said a portly man who wore a green muffler. "Joe Dunphy and Bud Hazleton are very close to Wesley. If their influence prevails, we'll be all right. However, Kip Chalmers and Tinky Holloway are dangerous."
"I can take care of Kip Chalmers," said Taggart.
Mr. Weatherby was the only person in the room who did not mind looking at Dagny; but whenever his glance rested upon her, it registered nothing; she was the only person in the room whom he did not see.
"I am thinking," said Mr. Weatherby casually, looking at Taggart, "that you might do Wesley a favor."
"Wesley knows that he can always count on me."
"Well, my thought is that if you granted the unions' wage raises-
we might drop the question of cutting the rates, for the time being."
"I can't do that!" It was almost a cry. "The National Alliance of Railroads has taken a unanimous stand against the raises and has committed every member to refuse."
"That's just what I mean," said Mr. Weatherby softly. "Wesley needs to drive a wedge into that Alliance stand. If a railroad like Taggart Transcontinental were to give in, the rest would be easy. You would help Wesley a great deal. He would appreciate it."
"But, good God, Clem!-I'd be open to court action for it, by the Alliance rules!"
Mr. Weatherby smiled. "What court? Let Wesley take care of that."
"But listen, Clem, you know-you know just as well as I do-that we can't afford it!"
Mr. Weatherby shrugged. "That's a problem for you to work out."
"How, for Christ's sake?"
"I don't know. That's your job, not ours. You wouldn't want the government to start telling you how to run your railroad, would you?"
"No, of course not! But-"
"Our job is only to see that the people get fair wages and decent transportation. It's up to you to deliver. But, of course, if you say that you can't do the job, why then-"
"I haven't said it!" Taggart cried hastily, "I haven't said it at all!"
"Good," said Mr. Weatherby pleasantly. "We know that you have the ability to find some way to do it."
He was looking at Taggart; Taggart was looking at Dagny.
"Well, it was just a thought," said Mr. Weatherby, leaning back in his chair in a manner of modest withdrawal. "Just a thought for you to mull over. I'm only a guest here. I don't want to interfere. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the situation of the . . . branch lines, I believe?"
"Yes," said the chairman and sighed. "Yes. Now if anyone has a constructive suggestion to offer-" He waited; no one answered. "I believe the picture is clear to all of us." He waited. "It seems to be established that we cannot continue to afford the operation of some of our branch lines . . . the Rio Norte Line in particular . . . and, therefore, some form of action seems to be indicated. . . ."
"I think," said the pallid man with the mustache, his voice unexpectedly confident, "that we should now hear from Miss Taggart." He leaned forward with a look of hopeful craftiness. As Dagny did not answer, but merely turned to him, he asked, "What do you have to say, Miss Taggart?"
"Nothing."
"I beg your pardon?"
"All I had to say was contained in the report which Jim has read to you." She spoke quietly, her voice clear and flat.
"But you