only in the
execution of the corporation's business. Our president will still be
given a free scope in the conduct of the important matters which will be
intrusted to him, but from now on the Board of Directors insist that the
corporation shall be dominated by their joint policies, in the
establishment of which our president will still have great weight."

Gorham listened to Litchfield's remarks with marked patience. He was
relieved that they were free from the personalities and vituperations
which the wording of the call had led him to fear, for to his nature it
was impossible to work in such close relationship with such a body of
able men without acquiring a regard beyond that inspired by mere
commercial intercourse. They were wrong in their whole understanding of
his position, but he could convince them of that now that there had been
nothing said to cause an open rupture.

"My friends," he said, "I can take no exception to the position which
you assume, knowing as I do the viewpoint from which you speak. The
arbitrary attitude which I have assumed has been one which you
yourselves have forced upon me rather than one taken of my own
volition--but I shall later refer to this more at length. I agree with
you that the employees of this or any other corporation should be used
only in the exercise of the corporation's business; but would not the
success of any blackmailing attempt, such as the one I am fighting,
react upon the Companies fully as much as upon me? As to the gentlemen
who form our Executive Committee, even though I have differed from them
on a point which I conceive to be absolutely vital to the success of the
Consolidated Companies, I consider them the ablest body of business men
ever gathered together upon any committee. I am proud of them for the
reputation they have given to the Companies, I respect them personally
for their own sterling worth. I can conceive no personal calamity
greater than to have any necessity arise to make it necessary for us to
sever our relations--and I cannot, even now, see that any such occasion
exists.

"As to the matter of dividing the responsibilities, I again agree with
you. It is not the act of wisdom to have the destinies of any
corporation so large as this rest as heavily upon any one man's
shoulders as your attitude has convinced me that this rests upon mine. I
not only assent to this proposition also, but I will do all which lies
in my power to accomplish it. I will