human
Finally, the device is so inexpensive to produce that it could be sold for about one-quarter of the price of an ordinary automobile. He stopped, cleared his throat, and glanced at Larchmont and Vanderlin.
gpt
Am I essentially correct, gentlemen?
human
That's about it.
gpt
Wow, he said softly.
human
You're quite a genius, Sam.
gpt
Very well, gentlemen, Condley continued,
human
Certainly, Bending said, with an angry glance at Olcott.
gpt
The Power Utilities would lose their pants. So what? I figure that any company which tries to steal and suppress inventions deserves a licking.
human
We won't quibble over the ethics of the situation, Mr. Bending. You are correct in saying that Power Utilities would be bankrupt. They couldn't stand the competition of what amounts to almost unlimited free power. And then what would happen, with every power company in the United States suddenly put out of business?
gpt
What difference would it make? People would just be getting their power from another source, that's all.
human
May I interject something here? I know you are angry with me, Mr. Bending--perhaps with good reason. But I'd like to point out something that you might not have recognized. Public Utilities and its co-operative independent companies are not owned by individuals. Much of the stock is owned by small share-holders who have only a few shares each. The several billion dollars that these companies are worth is spread out over the nation, not just centered with a few wealthy men. In addition, a great many shares are held by insurance companies and banks. Literally millions of people would lose money--just as surely as if it had been stolen from them--if this device went on the market.
gpt
Still, he said tentatively,
human
Not to this extent, Olcott said, shaking his head.
gpt
This is not 1918, Mr. Bending. Sixty years ago, our economy was based on gold, not, as it is today on production and manpower, centered in the vast interlocking web of American industry.
human
Mr. Olcott said a moment ago that millions of people would lose money just as surely as if it had been stolen from them. I think it would be more proper to say that the money will be destroyed, not stolen. A thief, after all, does put money back into circulation after he steals it. But when vast amounts of wealth are suddenly removed from circulation completely, the economic balance is disastrously upset.