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 even reserve my ‘code of morals,’ as you are pleased to call it, wholly for myself, considering that it is a point upon which we fail to agree.

“All that remains, then, is for you gentlemen to give me your assurances upon one point:  namely, that the present basis of profit-sharing with the public shall not be disturbed.  I will no longer put it upon a moral basis—­I insist upon it solely as a business policy.  With this one point established, I will work with you to the extent of such strength and ability as I have within me, to further the interests of the great Consolidated Companies as it advances triumphantly along its appointed path.”

“But this is the main contention upon which our split has come,” protested Litchfield.