Chapter 399 Peak Showdown
"Boss, you came out earlier than we expected." Seeing Morgan coming out of the White House, his assistants hurried up to greet him.
"Since they don't want to talk, it's a waste of time to stay. My time is also very precious." Morgan took the coat handed to him by his assistant and said while leaning on his crutches, "Tell our people to prepare a legal team immediately. I want the best lawyers in the country, talents who can see through all the loopholes in the law. Notify Rockefeller Manor and I will visit him right away."
Many businessmen pay attention to the concept of time, and Morgan is no exception. Since they had parted unhappily, he didn't want to stay in Washington anymore. Between waiting for the train and taking a bus, he chose to leave by bus. He had already booked the next stop on the way and took the train back to New York.
"These people are just greedy. We turned a blind eye to the coexistence of U.S. Steel and Carnegie Steel, but they have always turned a blind eye to the goodwill of the federal government. They think it is their duty to help them where we help them, and they think we are deliberately causing trouble where we disagree. Should the country serve them?"
Morgan left quietly. Neither Roosevelt nor Knox came out to see him off. After learning that Morgan had left, Roosevelt said these words to Knox.
"That's actually how they are. They make money by relying on their own abilities, and they lose money because the country hasn't done its job. Just like you said, people are selfish." Knox sighed, knowing that what Roosevelt said was absolutely true, and said, "We've made the decision, so we need to think about where to start the trouble and make our position clear first."
The Wall Street bankers who were waiting for news from Morgan, as well as the two railroad tycoons Hartman and Hill, soon learned the news and realized that the White House was determined to destroy the Northern Securities Company.
"Does this bastard really dare to do this? Is there no one who can stop him?" Hartman cursed in a very corrupt manner. "The economy and politics have always been at peace, but this president is using political power to interfere with the economy. If future presidents follow his example, how can we live in peace for a single day?"
The news came back faster than Morgan did. Now all the stakeholders knew that a confrontation was inevitable. Morgan's words also showed that they could not take chances. The stakeholders here had already started to act. Of course, the final decision, how to act and by what means, would depend on Morgan's opinion.
Before Morgan returned to New York, the White House spokesman had already revealed Roosevelt's intentions to the outside world through a public statement, and said that the president would soon make a national speech on the suspected monopoly of Northern Securities Company.
Morgan had just returned to New York when Roosevelt gave his national speech. In this national speech, Roosevelt used data as a substitute for the unfair competition of Northern Securities Company, except for the part that repeated the old tune, to show that the freight pricing charged by the railway system has caused huge obstacles to the travel of small and medium-sized farmers and ordinary citizens, and has no effect on economic development, but has obvious negative effects.
The general public has long been dissatisfied with the arrogance of the railway system, and as president he must solve this problem. This is his contribution to the development of the country.
"Compared to the huge assets of Northern Securities, the money needed by lawyers is no longer a problem." In the Rockefeller Manor, major shareholders of Northern Securities such as Morgan, Hill, and Hartman came together to visit old Rockefeller.
Although Old Rockefeller showed up, he pretended to be an observer and said, "Now I'll leave all the business matters to John. I'll just manage the charity foundation and the development of the medical industry. These are all very beneficial to the United States."
Morgan just listened to this casually. Once the medical industry becomes the leader, it will almost be another Standard Oil Company. It is not new to walk on two legs. For Morgan, the banking industry is naturally the most important, and the insurance industry and electricity industry are also important. Now everyone is in the process of cross-industry development. Although each has its own foundation, who would complain about making too much money?
"If Mr. Morgan asks us, the Rockefeller family, whether we support this issue or not, we will certainly support it. The president should not interfere in economic matters, which may lead to abuse of public power." Rockefeller Jr. had already considered this issue and stated directly, "The Rockefeller family will give Mr. Morgan the help he needs at the appropriate time and will never take an opposing position on this matter. This is our attitude."
Hearing Rockefeller Jr.'s statement, Hartman and Hill were delighted. Morgan looked at Rockefeller Sr. who was sitting upright, and the latter nodded solemnly to indicate that this was what he meant.
"Then let's have a showdown!" Morgan regained his arrogance and said, "You want me to admit defeat? No way!"
"Hmm!" Sheffield shuddered twice and hurriedly pulled up his pants. Evelyn also tidied her clothes and pretended to be fine. She said resentfully, "You are sneaking around in your own home. Only you can do such a thing."
"The overall environment is not good right now. I have no choice. When I am sure that Alice will love me deeply, everything will be fine." Sheffield smiled apologetically, and after a round of vows, Evelyn was happy.
In the past few days, Alice Roosevelt has been rejecting the slave owners' moves to deepen their relationship, arguing that it is unsafe. Sheffield even wants the United Bank to quickly send over a few female employees so that the boss can conduct face-to-face assessments to see if they are capable of taking on the important task.
In the end, there was no other choice but to solve the physiological problem in this Truman world, risking exposing his flaws.
Alice Roosevelt has already revealed that she wants to go back. How could Sheffield agree to this? After all, he had just lost the election and was in a low mood. He would have to feel better before letting her go.
Houston had just received news that the submarine had completed its initial sea trial, and that it was used to take the president's daughter to the south. But before leaving, Sheffield felt that he first needed to make Evelyn happy.
“I’ll contact you when Alice returns to the White House, and you can come over again.” Sheffield held Evelyn’s hand, his shamelessness written all over his face.
"If I don't go, you'll be a beast." Evelyn rolled her eyes at the slave owner and said hypocritically, "I can't let you take advantage of me for nothing."
Knowing that Alice Roosevelt was a woman with a strong curiosity, Sheffield asked Alice Roosevelt to return home for a while on the pretext of submarine trials. After using all kinds of persuasion, Sheffield finally achieved her goal. The depressed days caused by the failure of the election would not end so soon.
"Knox, have they arrived in Washington? I have, that's good!" Attorney General Douglas nodded while holding the phone. "Early before the president wanted to take action against Northern Securities, our state had already been sued and the investigation has been ongoing. Of course, we are still under a lot of pressure."
As for Northern Securities, the progressive movement in Minnesota had already sued the company in the federal district court in St. Paul, Minnesota, before the U.S. federal government did.
"Attorney General Douglas, the evidence you collected earlier is really important. I didn't expect that you and the president would think alike. Morgan is now communicating with each other, but the president and I will never change our positions." Knox expressed his firm support: "If your prosecution under Minnesota law fails, you can give me any evidence that can prove that Northern Securities has violated federal law, and I will sue it myself."
"We will be the first to file the lawsuit, but Knox, this lawsuit will almost certainly get bigger and bigger. Our lawsuit is just the beginning," said Attorney General Douglas. "If we win, it will be fine. If we lose, Northern Securities will definitely not accept it and will continue the lawsuit in a higher court. You must be prepared."
"I know these big companies very well." Knox said with a smile. He was a corporate lawyer and knew the weaknesses of big companies. "The Ministry of Justice will also let your prosecutor take back the investigation into Northern Securities. This will be considered as us exchanging information and increasing the evidence in each other's hands."
For Knox, being able to conduct an investigation at the same time as the local state court was a great opportunity. He immediately called in people from the Department of Justice to record the investigation sent by Minnesota to the Department of Justice.
At the same time in New York, a team of well-known lawyers in the United States has been formed to represent Northern Securities in a legal battle with the federal government.
"Any abuse of public power to harm business will ultimately be thwarted." The New York Times used this headline to celebrate the emergence of such a large team of lawyers, cheering on Morgan and the Rockefeller family, Wall Street bankers, and railroad tycoons who supported him.
It is obvious who the New York Times is leaning towards when it uses such a headline. Many Wall Street bankers have pointed out that Morgan, in his personal capacity, confronted the country, and no matter whether the final result was victory or defeat, he was a model worthy of the country. This act of upholding the truth and not fearing power is worth learning for everyone.
"Go ahead, Morgan. The Empire is determined to fight this battle!" The slave owner holding the newspaper danced with joy. Alice Roosevelt pushed the door open and asked in confusion, "What did you just say? What do you mean?"
"It's to admire Morgan's strength! This is a peak showdown." Sheffield put away the ugly face of adding fuel to the fire and said with a worried look on his face.
(End of this chapter)
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