Page:Upbuilders by Lincoln Steffens.djvu/285



bribes men, not alone in politics, but in business. This schooling did not make a cynic of him, however, nor a “crook.” He fought these methods, and he beat them and the Trust.

At one great crisis in the fight, when his brother Gus was away sick, Rudolph carried through a coup which is remembered yet in the trade. The Spreckelses were overstocked with sugar; all their warehouses were filled; great purchases of raw were coming forward and, because the price was being cut every few days, the dealers were living from hand to mouth. One night Rudolph (age eighteen, remember) told his city and outside salesmen to meet him the next morning at seven o’clock. When they reported, he bade them wire all brokers that sugar was to be advanced i-i6th of a cent a pound. The older men were aghast. What if the Trust kept the price down ?

“Never mind,” said the boy. “Say we will fill immediate orders at the old price, but after that-”

The orders came in with a rush. Rudolph watched the Trust. He knew that he had this advantage: he was in command in his refinery. In the Trust the principals were probably away from town or not yet up; subordinates were in command, and subordinates cannot take