Chapter 404 Halftime Press Conference
Although the details of the dismantling of Northern Securities were unknown, Sheffield did not need to know the details. He only knew that Northern Securities was eventually eliminated, and this result was clear.
Since the final result is known, the victory achieved by Morgan now can only make this resistance more attractive, which is commonly known as dying standing. As a history lover, Sheffield believes that the current Northern Securities Company is at most like the last emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire, who resisted the Ottoman army with an isolated city, or the last emperor of the Jin Dynasty, who commanded the Jin army to fight against the peak Mongolian field battle.
The federal government has indeed long been ignored by big business, but that doesn't mean the government can be simply regarded as a rubber stamp, even though the federal government has indeed played this role for a long time.
If this victory of the business community is seen as a victory over the White House, Sheffield, who has an oriental mindset, would definitely not believe it. He has always believed that there is no cultural barrier to such things. It depends on whether the federal government thinks it is worth it. If the federal government thinks it is worth it, the United States can do what a centralized country can do.
Even when Ramon Hess came back, there was no news from the White House. In the eyes of many people, they wondered if they had stopped. Even Ramon Hess expressed optimism about the matter.
Sheffield, who had just finished a shopping trip with Sato Kiko, was noncommittal about Ramon Hess's optimism. This attitude made Ramon Hess think that he had come back at the wrong time and disturbed his boss's experience of exotic customs.
"Prepare for the Beetle launch. The price is set at $500 and it will mainly be open to female customers." Sheffield, who was frugal by nature, finished the last bit of his cigar and even felt that it was a little hot. He said with white smoke, "Since it is a high-end model, after-sales protection must be in place. You can discuss this matter with Mr. William Durant."
"I've already prepared for this, but boss, the price is beyond the affordability of most citizens. Can we negotiate it?" Ramon Hess felt that with the current market share, United Automotive Corporation did not need to rush to launch high-end models.
"This isn't for most citizens. A bunch of poor idiots just need to know the difference between having it and not having it. It's not like it can't be used. It has a steering wheel and four wheels. What's the big deal if it can be driven?" Sheffield rolled his eyes at Ramon Hess and said, "If you want everything but don't want to pay for it, why don't you just rob it?"
"The market is now an incremental market, and low-end models are not difficult to sell. But sooner or later the market will enter the stock market, and it will be much more difficult to segment at that time than it is today." Sheffield said to the head of United Automotive Company, "Ford cars are simple cars that solve the problem of whether there is a car or not. I won't use the word "poor guy", although they are indeed, I will use the word "cost-effective" to refer to them. From the perspective of our company, they are the most difficult customers to serve. From the perspective of these car buyers, what they want is to buy the best things with the least money."
"They don't know the principle of "you get what you pay for" and they are thinking of taking advantage. But there is a proverb in the East: 'God is one foot high and the devil is ten feet high.' I have a way to deal with them. These people expect to experience the latest cars with the least money, but they don't know that all Ford cars have not been tested." As for using the most fuel-consuming engine, the slave owner certainly cannot say anything about this.
Recently, Sheffield and Rockefeller Jr. have been talking on the phone frequently to discuss the promotion of auto insurance. Of course, this excludes Ford car buyers and is currently limited to high-end models.
The fight between Morgan and Roosevelt was their business. At least for now the United Company was safe and business had to be done. Beetle Car No. 1 had actually been delivered to the White House.
The car that had never been seen before, the unique shape and color, and her identity as the first daughter of the White House attracted the attention of the nosy media. Alice Roosevelt has always occupied a central position in public opinion news and is much more loved than the president in the White House.
The new car launch was, of course, scheduled to be held in New York. Although the slave owner had been letting the New Orleans newspapers lead the way, pretending that New Orleans and New York were on the same level, he was not confused in his heart. He knew that the status of New York Metropolis could not be replaced in a short time. Only by holding the launch in New York could it have the greatest effect.
At a time when Wall Street, the major trusts and the White House were on the verge of a war, Ramon Hess approached Alice Roosevelt and said, "Dear Miss Alice, my boss wants you to be the spokesperson for the Beetle."
"That's not good!" Alice Roosevelt looked a little hesitant and asked hesitantly, "Where is he now?"
Ramon Hess's eyes flashed with a strange color, and he said, "The boss has actually arrived, but he is temporarily resting in the sales office in Washington and preparing to go to the New York Auto Show."
"I need to talk to my father!" Alice Roosevelt hesitated for a moment and said, "Tell him to wait for me."
No matter how powerful the slave owner was, he would never know how Alice Roosevelt persuaded the president. The White House did not have his spies, and of course he did not need them. For ordinary matters, the president's daughter was enough.
After getting on the train, Alice Roosevelt walked through two carriages full of bodyguards before arriving at the box where Sheffield was. She couldn't help but complain, "You're like this every time you go out? Aren't you too cautious?"
"I was once robbed when I took the train to Los Angeles," Sheffield said, referring to the time he met Evelyn. "Thanks to the police in California, I am still alive today."
After finishing his lie with a blushing face, Sheffield snapped his fingers, and the next moment a dining cart was pushed in. He then said, "Let's eat and talk at the same time. It's all what you like."
Regarding the lawsuit between Roosevelt and Morgan, which has attracted much attention, Sheffield did not ask about it and pretended that it never happened. He only mentioned the new car launch in New York.
"If you want me to help you, just tell me. I'm not short of money." Alice Roosevelt complained a little and took the initiative to mention the lawsuit. "With the relationship between the trust and the White House now, will my presence affect your press conference?"
"What impact? I have my own media, is there anyone who can make me speechless?" Sheffield reached out his hand from Alice Roosevelt, took the milk tea and took a sip to taste it, and said with an unsatisfied look, "Besides, isn't the lawsuit over? The lawsuit is over, what's wrong with me holding my own new car launch conference?"
The slave owner knew that this confrontation was just a small warm-up in Minnesota, but that didn't stop him from playing dumb. He couldn't just sit there and watch as others continued to sue.
"As for the concept of spokespersons and endorsement fees, it's just a normal business model. My Alice is a media darling, and I'm asking you to help pay the fees. This is very normal." Sheffield waited for the arrival of the people to clean up the table, and directly took out the contract and said, "Sign it. There will be many such spokesperson models in the future. It's not about using money to support you, and it doesn't involve bribery. If you are not satisfied with the number, we can discuss it."
"One hundred thousand dollars?" Alice Roosevelt covered her mouth in surprise, as if to confirm whether she had seen it wrong.
Alice Roosevelt had to admit that compared with this number, the statement "I have no shortage of money" was indeed inappropriate.
"Hi, William! I am so happy to know that you are coming to New York. I can't wait to attend the press conference." Vanderbilt III opened his arms and gave Sheffield a big hug, then turned his eyes to Alice Roosevelt, "As for you, our New York princess, welcome home."
"It's up to you to decide how many people from New York's upper class can come." Sheffield said in front of Alice Roosevelt without saying anything, "It's still the same old rules, my friend."
Sheffield was not afraid that Vanderbilt III would not agree, because he had not repaid the money so far. Even though the federal government had transferred the $30 million follow-up payment for the Panama Canal, Vanderbilt II's $20 million was still in Carnegie's stock, and Vanderbilt III would only receive dividends when the time came.
This does not mean that Vanderbilt III was poor. With the New York Metropolitan Railway system, money for socializing was not a problem. He also knew that he could not ask for money in front of the slave owner like he did in front of his father. His conspicuous consumption had been reduced a lot, but in the eyes of others, his life was still very luxurious.
"If it weren't for me, there's no telling how much of Vanderbilt II's fortune would be left." Sheffield explained the relationship to Alice Roosevelt. "Now with the dividends from the steel company, the income from the railroad, and the rent from so many buildings and apartments, his life has not been affected at all."
At the critical moment, Vanderbilt II helped Sheffield. The slave owner appreciated the kindness and would not let his descendants continue to degenerate. The money was equivalent to being kept by the slave owner. He also admitted that the money was owed, but there was no way for him to take it away.
If Sheffield wanted to default on the debt, the lawsuit would be difficult for Vanderbilt III because Vanderbilt II died suddenly.
The new car launch was held in a mansion on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan owned by the Vanderbilt family. All the New York upper class who came to attend were naturally invited by the Vanderbilt family, who has always been a trend setter.
Since it was organized by the Vanderbilt family, it became a stage for celebrities and noble ladies to show off. Reporters from all sides gathered to attend the Beetle car launch, which was no less than a red carpet walk.
Sheffield sat in a partition on the upper level, his chin resting on the fence, his eyes following the socialites and ladies who walked in. Finally, the new car launch, which almost turned into a fashion show, began, and it was held during the halftime break of Morgan and Roosevelt.
(End of this chapter)
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