Atlas Shrugged – Day 018 – pp. 174-183
And what about the school teachers in New Mexico? It’s their opinion that children should not be permitted to ride on trains running on Rearden Metal.
It seems that public outrage has hit some kind of fever pitch.
I want to just pause here for a sec and think about a couple parallels I can see, as Rand describes the events.
First, there is an enormous public interest (outrage) regarding Rearden Metal. My guess is that by ordinary standards, the public would have no interest in any kind of new metal beyond maybe some small curiosity — human-interest type stuff.
The fact seems to be this issue was forced to the front of public consciousness by the news media. Now IMHO, the news could have represented this industrial evolution in two ways.
A) “The Future of Metal. CEO Henry Rearden has introduced a new construction material that could revolutionize your life. Details after the break.” OR
B) “Industrialist Hank Rearden threatens to force Rearden Metal on an unsuspecting public. What is the silverware in your house made of? Details after the break.”
I’m thinking they went with plan B.
Second, this mass social opinion is being driven by an authority that no one has bothered to verify. Or question. Who are the experts damning this new product. And way more importantly, no motives have been established. Who stands to gain and who stands to get paid…
OK back to the story.
Dagny doesn’t care what Detroit contractors or New Mexico School teachers think. Best way to overcome public opposition is to start running trains. (Boy is she right…)
Short pause in the conversation, and then…
“Dan Conway is a bastard!”
She looked at him bewildered. “Why?”
“He refused to sell us the Colorado track of the Phoenix-Durango.”
“You didn’t –” She had to stop. She started again, keeping her voice flat in order not to scream. “You haven’t approached him about it?”
“Of course I have!”
“You didn’t expect him . . . to sell it . . . to you?”
Apparently so. He thought he could drive Dan out of business, then get him to sell him steel rails cheap and do a littel PR in the meantime — Taggart Transcontinental abandons that Rearden Metal nonsense…
“I don’t know what you’re–”
“Shut up Jim,” She said quietly.
Oh and on that speaking engagement tonight…
Jim hopes Dagny does a good job because that Bertram Scudder can get pretty sarcastic.
Another speaker? Bertram Scudder?
You’ll be able to beat him. Beat him?
“On the air. It’s going to be a radio broadcast. You’re going to debate with him the question: Is Rearden Metal a lethal product of Greed?”
(a lethal product of greed… I rest my case on option B.)
An on air debate is generally something you want to prepare for. Is this just Jim being unaccepting of his responsibility? Or is he intentionally trying to blindside his sister into a losing battle. I don’t think he’s that smart.
Doesn’t matter. She’s out of the car. Angrily walking anywhere, she happens on a diner and goes in for some coffee. A little banter between her and “four derelicts at the counter.” Actually,
“She could not tell whether the four at the counter were beggars or working men; neither clothes nor manner showed the difference, these days.”
The philosophy shared by these four is much the same as held by the rest of society. Man is just an animal. Human spirit is a moot point. (It’s easy to lead the defeated around by the nose.)
Where is there morality in anything these days?
“What is morality?” she asked.
“Judgment to distinguish right and wrong, vision to see the trugh, courage to act upon it, dedication to that which is good, integrity to stand by the good at any price. But where does one fint it?”
Nice quote from the bum. But maybe a better question in Rand’s mind is “How does one recognize it?”
The scene ends with another John Galt story. He was lost pursuing the countain of youth. (Atlantis and the Fountain of Youth… Hmmmmmmm)
Section!
Dr Potter from the State Science Institute is sitting at Henry Rearden’s desk.
“What do you want?” Rearden asked for the third time.
“It is the social aspect that I am asking you to consider, Mr Rearden,” the man said softly. “I urge you to take note of the age we’re living in. Our economy is not ready for it.”
“For what?”
“Our economy is in a state of extremely precarious equilibrium. We all have to pool our effotrs to save it from collapse.”
Talking about a collapsing economy and “pooling our efforts” back in a 50s novel. Huh? Who’d have thought things were that advanced back then.
Well the non-discussion continues for four pages with Dr Potter intimating that Hank Rearden should consider not selling Rearden Metal (but never actually saying so) and Hank pretending to not understand what the hell he’s talking about.
Dr P tosses up an economic objection, a social objection, a scientific objection. Then tries to bribe Hank outright.
“We are offering you a blank check on what is, as you realize, an unlimited account. [This fucking G punk is referring to the government’s coffers of course. Man I really don’t like him now.] What else can you want? Name your price?”
“The sale of the rights to Rearden Metal is not open to discussion. If you have anything else to say, please say it and leave.”
Only one thing left to say. I’ll paraphrase. “Be careful boy! Da G gotz da powerz to legislatez yo ass right outa bidness… Do you understand?”
And I’ll quote Hank’s response directly.
“No Dr. Potter,” he said, “I don’t understand. If I did, I’d have to kill you.”
Section . . .
Dagny’s having trouble with Mr. Mowen, boss of Amalgamated Switch and Signal Co. He can’t make switches for her out of Rearden Metal anymore. Crumbling under the pressure.
But even more shocking… Eddie Willers bursts in her office.
The State Science Insitute “has issued a statement warning people against the use of Rearden Metal.”
“What did they say?”
“Dagny, they didn’t say it . . . That’s what’s monstrous about it…”
Stay tuned…