Page:Diamonds To Sit On.pdf/97

 MAY DAY

85

Economic Policy and other obstacles. Grass and flowers grew over the foundations during the summer, and in the winter children made ice-hills there. Treukhov dreamt of putting his plan into action. Various departments either passed or rejected his scheme, but the town refused to spend the necessary money. ‘ It’s an absolute disgrace 1 ’ Treukhov would shout to his wife. ‘ No money ! And yet the Stargorod cabmen are paid exorbitant fares. Of course the profiteers have the monopoly. You try carrying your luggage five miles to the railway station. . . . Why, the tram service would pay for itself in six years.’ And for the thousandth time he would show the plans to his wife—plans for a tramway depot and twelve tram-lines. ‘ Twelve hues ? That is for the future, but three fines are absolutely essential, and Stargorod wifi be no good without them.’ And then Treukhov would snort and go into the kitchen to chop wood. One day he took his plans to a new member of the council who had been transferred to Stargorod from Samarkand. He listened to Treukhov without paying much attention to what he was saying, fingered the plans and then said : ‘ We had no need for trams in Samarkand.’ ‘ Yes, but that was Asia 1 ’ said Treukhov. ‘ I can see that you’re not much good.’ And he went out of the room and banged the door behind him. Each time the man from Samarkand met Treukhov he would look at him with amusement and say : ‘ Well, what about that tram ? ’ But two months later he sent for the engineer and said : ‘ Next Friday there is to be an important meeting and I shall bring up your scheme.’ At that meeting the question was settled favourably, and Treukhov set to work, but there were many hitches. The wrong material was sent, the rails were delayed in transit, and there were disputes among the workmen.