Dorns had reliable word of the directors' meeting from one of his men now employed by Consolidated; his guarantee of satisfactory evidence later on was more than sufficient for his auditors. Mansfield, quite aware of Armstrong's leashed eagerness, interrupted the discussion.
"Gentlemen, one moment! This audacity is astounding. What do you think should be done, Mr. Armstrong?"
"We'll have to direct our fight at Findlater," said Armstrong. "Macgowan has left him in as president in order to use him as a shield and figurehead. The only way we can hit at Macgowan is through Findlater. Do you think we can have him removed on the strength of this looting, or both of them?"
"Certainly—but not before April. We must not conceal from ourselves Macgowan's ability to use the law. The eyes of Justice are hooded, unfortunately, and we cannot expect haste from the legal machinery."
"Then," said Armstrong, "I'll tell you what I propose doing, and get your advice; it looks as though we must make up our minds to a long fight. First, we must take all personalities out of the fight. I want to figure in it as little as possible. There will be an understanding that I am not fighting for any office in Consolidated; this fact will serve tremendously in retaining for us the confidence of the stockholders."
Holcomb and Mansfield nodded tacit assent.
"Now," went on Armstrong, "I don't want to climb on any pedestal of altruistic virtue. I suggest that we form a Stockholders' Protective Association, composed of all the Consolidated investors we can round up. At the head of this, place a committee of three men, of whom I suggest Judge Holcomb as one. The others may be selected later. From now until the annual meeting on April third, let this association carry on a campaign of publicity against the Consolidated looters, particularly against Macgowan, since he's the power behind Findlater. Make clear that this campaign is not directed against Consolidated, but for Consolidated.
"While Mr. Mansfield is at work with Mr. Dorns, let us reach every investor in the company through this association; hold meetings, write letters, reach them by every means! Use the radio. The Armstrong Company publishes a monthly pamphlet for its clientèle, and this pamphlet may be distributed to reach the entire list of investors—"
"With what object?" interjected Judge Holcomb.
"That of obtaining their proxies for use at the annual meeting."