The Titanic Plan (36 page)

“
If I’m not mistaken, so did you.”

Morgan frowned, not sure if Vanderbilt was taking a veiled shot at him for scooping a healthy percentage off the top. “My father was always appreciative of your involvement in that deal,” Vanderbilt added, smoothing the moment over.

“
Your father was a gentle, God-fearing man. Because he had a quiet demeanor, many people believed he was rather dull of mind. But he added how much? A hundred-million dollars to the Vanderbilt fortune?”

“
My father always had a way of making money. As did my grandfather. It seems to be the Vanderbilt way.”

“
Yes,” smiled Morgan. “You Vanderbilts do have a golden touch. That is one of the reasons why I have taken your proposal so seriously.”

“
Its current form owes everything to you, Mr. Morgan. You were the one that suggested the commerce centers. And I must say, it was a brilliant suggestion.”

Morgan grunted at Vanderbilt’s flattery. “There are a lot of obstacles to overcome if it is to be successful.”

Vanderbilt sensed that Morgan was measuring him. “I believe that not to succeed at this project would ultimately handicap American business. And if I might be so bold, I think you see that as well,” Vanderbilt said with resolve.

“
Well…” Morgan puffed on his cigar then blew the smoke skyward, “I do see that. Perhaps not in the same way you do though.”

“
How does your vision differ?”

Morgan cleared his throat and closed his eyes as if to collect his thoughts. “I’ve been around a lot longer than you, George. I know how the business game is played. And let me tell you, it’s an inefficient, bloody mess. The problem is that no one is in control – the entire system is run on chaos. People don’t understand the benefit of long-term stability. Most of my peers are out to make a quick dollar and damn any consequences. The unions and anarchists want to tear the whole system down so we can all share like children in kindergarten. And the government shackles business so tightly with their rules and regulations that there’s no room for dynamic growth. It begs the question, what kind of system can exist that will provide stable markets without boom and bust cycles, like the one we went through in ’07?” Morgan took another long puff on his cigar. “It’s a bigger issue than just commerce. You do understand that?”

“
I’m not sure I do, sir,” Vanderbilt answered, feeling like an overwhelmed freshman being schooled by the
Professor Emeritus
.

“
The value in your plan is that it will impose order,” Morgan stated resolutely. “It’s simple, actually: your plan is to control commerce. And commerce controls business. And business drives America. Your plan will allow the business workings of the country to run at its maximum potential because it puts the control of our economic system into the hands of businessmen who understand the necessity of order and efficiency.”

“
But the government ultimately controls the economic system,” Vanderbilt piped in.

“
You really believe that, George? What is the government but a collection of bureaucrats and politicians? Despite what they say, they are not beholden to the people, but to a chaotic system of their creation whose sole purpose is to perpetuate their own existence. If the system collapses, especially the economic system, do you think anyone in government, even the President of the United States, would retain a shred of power? No. Their heads would be on pikes in a fortnight.

“
The beauty of your plan is that it quietly creates a vehicle for an enlightened group of businessmen to steer the American economy toward maximum efficiency. I do not believe you realize the enormous power that is contained in your plan – but I believe you are right in that it will stoke the fires of business throughout America. There is one problem with it though.”

“
What is that, Mr. Morgan?”

“
It’s blatantly illegal, a gross violation of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. You are bringing too many divergent businesses under a single entity. It would trigger alarms in Washington in a second.”

“
We’ve recognized this issue,” Vanderbilt countered. “We feel that the current administration looks favorably upon business and, if we worked with the right people within the administration, we would be able to gain their cooperation.”

“
Are you referring to Major Butt?”

“
Him, yes, among others.”

Morgan shook his head. “No, not good enough. You can’t bring the richest businessmen from diverse industries together in one group and say it’s not creating a monopoly. Especially when it is. And it doesn’t matter how close Major Butt is to Taft, he doesn’t have that much influence over policy. The only way for this project to work is for it to be controlled by just a few individuals cooperating with a single government entity in a very quiet way.

“
That’s not how Astor and I structured it, sir. Considering the size and scope of the project, it is our belief that the only way it could gain sufficient funding is to bring together the richest industrialists alive.”

“
Your belief is wrong, George,” Morgan said bluntly. “I can make this plan a reality with my resources alone. You should have come to me first.”

“
We did, sir,” Vanderbilt replied. “And you turned us down.”

“
Touché
. I suppose I did.” Morgan cleared his throat. “In any case, I know all of the people you have involved. Some are good people, some aren’t. But you will never get a consensus among them. Once the actual construction begins, it will disintegrate into backbiting, power plays and petty politics until the whole thing unravels. With a project of this scope you need a small group at the top overseeing its implementation.”

“
It would be difficult to change course now.”

“
Everything in life is difficult,” Morgan snapped, and then smiled. “But if it’s your conviction that’s how it is, then that’s how it should probably remain. For now. And what about Astor?”

“
What about him, Mr. Morgan?”

“
Why isn’t he here with you today? I wanted to meet with you both.”

Vanderbilt looked out the window and noticed a lone sloop navigating down the river. “Astor had important matters of a personal nature to attend to in New York. He asked me to convey his regrets for not being here.”

“
George, it’s just not a good practice to let one’s personal affairs get in the way of business. I never let that happen with me.”

“
No, sir,” Vanderbilt said deferentially. “But John Astor has recently married and he has some issues with his new bride that need attention. I hope you would understand and excuse his absence.”

Morgan said nothing. He rose from the table and walked to the window. A late afternoon moon was rising. Morgan stared at it for a long while. Vanderbilt watched, fascinated by Morgan contemplating the scarred face of the moon that, without too much imagination, resembled Morgan’s own scarred face. Morgan then blew one…two…three perfect smoke rings toward the rising moon.

“
I’m an old man, George. I move slowly, my mind grows tired, my body aches all over and I don’t have much time left on this earth. I certainly don’t want to needlessly charge at windmills. I like you. I like your project and I like your ambition. But I’m going to be honest: I do not wish to waste my energy or resources on something that will produce only headaches. I’ve worked with Astor before…quite closely and…oh, how can I put this…he has a tendency of being less than dependable. And the one thing I won’t tolerate is doing business with an unreliable partner.”

“
All I can say is that this project began with Colonel Astor,” Vanderbilt said defensively. “And while he can be frustrating to work with at times, I find him to be thoroughly creative and engaged.”

“
The problem is not Astor’s creativity or level of engagement, but his ability to hold all the elements together over an extended period of time. So here is my proposition: you have four months to demonstrate to me that this project can work with the team you’ve assembled. I want to see land purchases, development plans and I want to have a meeting, a general meeting with every person who is involved so that we might all hammer out a shared vision of how we’ll get this done. If I am satisfied with this and the team you’ve assembled, I am on board with you. If not, well…” Morgan waved a dismissive hand through the air.

“
Four months is very quick to put that all together, sir.”

Morgan puffed on his cigar and nodded. “You’re right. I’ll give you five. Now…” Morgan said, lightening his demeanor, “I know you’re a collector of rare books. I’ve recently purchased an exquisite Caxton.”

“
Le Mort d’Arthur
. Every book collector in the world knows of your purchase, Mr. Morgan.”

“
I have it here in my library. Would you like to see it?” Morgan spoke with the glee of a young child wanting to show off what he got for Christmas.

CHAPTER 39

O
n December 19, 1911, Archie accompanied Taft for a quick whirlwind of New York political banquets. Because of a severe snowstorm, the Presidential train was delayed for six hours. When Archie finally reached the
Waldorf-Astoria
at midnight, there was a message waiting for him at the front desk:
I MUST SEE YOU STOP IMPORTANT STOP YOUR COBRA
.

Belle
.
That woman never fails to surprise me
. He took the elevator to his room, all the while thinking it would be nice to see her, but realizing it was just about impossible – his schedule with Taft was completely full. Stepping into his room he wondered if he should call Belle, but decided it was too late. Then the telephone rang.

“
Call for Major Butt from Miss da Costa Greene,” the hotel operator said.

“
Put her through.”

The low, sultry voice that came through the receiver was unmistakable. “Archie?”

“
So good to hear from you, Belle.”

“
If it’s so good, Major, why haven’t you made any attempt to contact me?”

“
Haven’t you read the papers? I’ve been gallivanting across the country with the President.”

“
That’s no excuse, Archie, especially after what we shared with each other. You could have at least written a passionate letter or two. You don’t have a sweetheart, do you?”

Archie laughed. “Only the President of the United States and I wouldn’t call it a torrid romance.”

“
My heart rests easy then,” Belle said playfully. “Can we see each other tomorrow?”

“
I’d love to see you Belle, but my schedule with the President is packed tight.”

“
Unpack it. Just for an hour. How about a quick tea? I’ll be at the Waldorf at noon.”

She hung up before he could say “no.”

It struck Archie that every time he saw Belle she became even more captivating. It wasn’t just that she was beautiful or exotic; it was the special way she seemed to light up the very air that surrounded her. Even when she was uncharacteristically dressed down, as she was that afternoon in a long winter coat and simple fur hat, every eye was on her as she crossed the
Waldorf
lobby.

“
Belle,” Archie said happily.

“
Archie.” She offered him her hand. He kissed it gallantly. “There’s a taxi waiting for us outside.”

“
I thought we were going to have tea here?” Archie said, surprised.

“
I prefer a bit more atmosphere today.”

“
I don’t have much time, Belle. I have to be back with the President at one-thirty.”

“
Oh yes,” Belle smiled softly. “My rival who always wins your attention.”

The taxi traveled north along Madison Avenue. A light snow was beginning to fall, tangling up the already tangled traffic of horse carts, trolleys, and automobiles. “You know, I meant to get in touch with you, Belle,” Archie said in the back seat.