"Shut them down," I ordered. "Ruthlessly. Except maybe a few in England."
"The countries where theyre located will grab them."
"There isnt a government in existence who would dare touch anything belonging to Consolidated Pemmican. If any should come into existence our individualistic friends would take care of the situation."
"Pay gangsters to overturn governments?"
"They would hardly be legitimate governments. Anyway, a man has a right to protect his property."
"Albert," he complained querulously, "youre condemning civilization to death."
"General," I said, "youre talking like a wildeyed crackpot. A businessman's concern is with business; he leaves abstractions to visionaries. Our plants will be closed down, because until the Grass is stopped they can make us no profit. Let some idealistic industrialist take care of civilization."
"Albert, you know very well no business of any size can operate today without your active support. Think again, Albert; listen to me as a friend; we have been associated a long time and to some extent you have taken Joe's place in my mind. Consider the larger aspects. Suppose you don't make a profit? Suppose you even take a loss. You can afford to do it for common humanity."
"I certainly think I do my share for common humanity, General Thario, and it cuts me to the heart that you of all people should imply such a sentimental and unjust reproach against me. You know as well as I do I have given more than half my fortune to charitable works."
"Albert, Albert, need there be this hypocrisy between you and me?"