Sheffield acted like he was all ears. He listened out of respect for the president, and then he did not offer a price directly, but told the truth, "The reason for using black people as workers is to save costs, and the wages are at the same level as domestic ones."

, everyone knows the consequences of this incident. There are still 7,000 employees of the American Canal Management Company in Panama. Because they are white, the wages of these 7,000 employees are more than a quarter of ordinary workers in the country. On average,

The monthly salary is thirty-five US dollars, and the United Company has accumulated investment in the Panama Canal, machinery, steel, cement..."

As Sheffield calculated the specific amount bit by bit, Roosevelt's dull expression was no longer indifferent. The raw materials for these designs alone already exceeded 50 million US dollars.

Where is this? What Sheffield said was recorded in the reports of the American Canal Management Company. Even if Roosevelt contacted the embassy in Panama and went to the American Canal Management Company to check, nothing could be found.

.After all, the slave owners did not blow up the dam on a temporary basis. They had already started planning it when they took over the canal project.

"Including the funds paid from the French, my price of 100 million is not excessive at all. After all, this amount is not a lot, and even this amount is a loss. Now the canal project has been completed. Half of the investment in the past few years has been

How to calculate? I am losing money!" Sheffield straightened his back and said confidently, "If it is the Germans, even if I offer 200 million, for such a strategically located canal, if the garrison can control both ends of the Americas,

The Germans will definitely agree."

"Now the United Company has encountered a problem. If the federal government takes over for the purpose of supporting domestic enterprises, will the United Company still be prepared to make a fortune?" Roosevelt's offer for Sheffield was somewhat unacceptable. The price of more than 100 million was simply too high.

Outrageous.

"Oh! Then I believe the Germans will accept it. The German world policy urgently needs such a canal." Sheffield leaned back as if he had no bones, expressing that he could not accept the patriotic kidnapping of the President.

A flash of anger flashed in Roosevelt's eyes. This businessman's style was really unacceptable.

Is there anything unacceptable in this? Capitalists have no motherland! Sheffield's expression remained unchanged, and he completely looked like he would not fight, make peace, or defend, or surrender or die. He would talk if he could, and if he couldn't, he would talk to the Germans.

When the French Canal Management Company wanted to sell the canal, the Paris government was unwilling to do so. In the end, it fell into the hands of Sheffield. The French can do this, so what if Sheffield wants to sell it to the Germans? The Federation

Why should the government interfere?

"My seven thousand employees are the backbone of the big families in the South." Just when Roosevelt was wondering whether he should threaten Sheffield like he threatened the coal cartel, he heard someone tell him first.

"There are also many soldiers who escaped from the Brazilian Civil War, and their tempers are not very good."

"The federal government is not Wall Street. If you want to get money, you have to pass the budget!" Roosevelt said with a confused look on his face, "The budget needs the approval of Congress."

"I can understand the president's difficulties, so I'm not in a hurry. I can wait for now!" Sheffield forced out a smile, his patriotism evident in his words.

Roosevelt's difficulties are understandable. After all, there is no precedent in this era that provides Roosevelt with a reason to use the power of the state to take over a project from the hands of private enterprises. It is not impossible. After the Civil War, the federal army once military-controlled the South.

Similar operations would not even occur until Theodore Roosevelt's nephew, Franklin Roosevelt, was in office. He would use the power of the country to fight the Great Depression.

However, the objective environment is the same. The subsequent Roosevelt New Deal also meant that the United States experienced a long period of prosperity, allowing the federal government to have sufficient capital to intervene in the economy. Just because of the advent of the Great Depression, we cannot think that the previous accumulation has been wiped out. Now

The same is true. Since the last economic depression, the economic boom has lasted for many years. It is not difficult at all for the federal government to spend money.

Roosevelt must get the Panama Canal in his hands, which was linked to his idea of ​​expanding the navy, so after getting Sheffield's bottom line, he immediately set out to get Congress to pass it.

"You may not believe it, Edith! If it were any other president, he would not have given me such an opportunity. But it was Roosevelt, who was very difficult to deal with, who gave me an opportunity to be a middleman and earn the difference. Just

Just like there are a large number of smart people and idiots in any country, there are things that such a powerful president cannot give up." In front of Edith Rockefeller, Sheffield boasted very proudly.

"Yes, you are the only one who dares to do this. After all, slave owners are a profession that studies people, and they should have insight into the weaknesses of human nature." Edith Rockefeller rolled her eyes at Sheffield, and said in a sinister manner, not sure if she was praising or indulging.

ridicule.

In the eyes of many people, President Roosevelt's move this time was to use the power of the state to rescue a private enterprise. Not all congressmen were able to accept it, and they also raised questions about it after the meeting. Many congressmen even knew

, the Spanish-American War that Roosevelt participated in received help from this southern company, and it was suspected that the president had entangled interests with this company.

Roosevelt flatly denied this speculation and emphasized the huge political benefits of the Panama Canal to the United States. "I cannot use the political power of the federal government to take away this canal from a private company. The United Corporation has the right to sell this canal."

To anyone, including the Germans and the British."

"The safety of America is of great significance to our great United States. America is America for Americans. According to economic interests, the United Company can sell this canal, which is of great significance to the country, to European countries. Even as president,

I can't interfere, but I can buy it in the name of the United States. After this canal is in the hands of the country, the entire America will become different." Roosevelt calmly said to all the congressmen present,

"Speak softly, but carry a big stick, and you will succeed. Any American country that refuses to repay the debts of a European country will inevitably suffer the latter to occupy the territory of the American country; the United States has the responsibility to intervene in order to maintain the Monroe Doctrine

In this kind of conflict, use force if necessary to prevent European armed intervention."

After Roosevelt's speech, there was thunderous applause in Congress, and the purchase budget for the Panama Canal was passed. This year, a fiscal budget of 100 million U.S. dollars was passed. It is expected to allocate 30 million U.S. dollars each year next year and the year after that, at a total price of 100,000 U.S. dollars.

Purchased the shares of the American Canal Management Company under the name of United Company for US$600 million.

The next day, the passage of the budget and Roosevelt's speech appeared in major newspapers. This also caused huge controversy. Even Morgan in New York felt very incredible when he heard the news. A big

Of course, a businessman must understand politics, but in Morgan's eyes, the canal was still a bit too expensive.

Morgan couldn't understand why Roosevelt took such huge criticism and risks and proposed an acquisition at a price that was obviously uneconomical. The risks and benefits would not allow the president to do this.

"Father, William really succeeded. Roosevelt actually purchased the Panama Canal from the United Company in the name of the country!" In the Rockefeller estate, young Rockefeller also said in disbelief, "Why would Roosevelt do this?"

"Why would he do this? That's a good question. We'll find out when Edith comes back." A look of confusion flashed across Rockefeller's face. In terms of value, this was definitely a money-losing deal.

You must know that half of the Panama Canal has not been completed. The US$1.6 billion only purchased the shares of the American Canal Management Company from the United Company. The remaining half of the project still requires capital investment. After that, the federal government will naturally allocate funds to continue the construction. Who

Do you know how much more money you need to invest? And the shares purchased are not all, but in addition to the United Company, there are also many allies of Sheffield, and the remaining shares are in the American Canal Management Company.

With such allies still in the American Canal Management Company, no one will accept Sheffield's conditions for acquisition. Once they enter, Sheffield can also use the allies of the United Company to cause trouble. From this point of view, it is also

Only in the name of the country, the federal government is the most suitable successor. Any private company that gets involved may be mined by the Sheffield Alliance.

But when the federal government wanted to acquire it, it was obvious that it was taken advantage of, so how did it succeed in the end? Why did Roosevelt agree?

"Carrot and stick policy!" Sheffield, who was still in the White House, opened the newspaper, glanced at Edith Rockefeller, and explained to the center of Roosevelt's speech in Congress, "Roosevelt was a president, not a businessman.

Things considered must be related to national interests, and the carrot and stick policy has given a new interpretation to the Monroe Doctrine. And the importance of the Panama Canal lies in this."

"But even if it's the country's money, you can't spend it like this." Edith Rockefeller reached out and touched her face, looking at Sheffield with a look of admiration, "You still succeeded in blackmailing the country."

"Does Carnegie's 1.5 times premium blackmail United Company and Standard Oil? If Carnegie doesn't count, I don't count it, because our president thinks it's worth it." Sheffield put down the newspaper and praised, "I'm not
Chapter completed!