An American traction-owner, visiting St. Petersburg, was
imprest with the inadequacy of the horse-car service and
employed engineers to work out a modern system. Failing to make
an impression on the local officials, he had abandoned the
plan when he fell in with a clever Russian who assured him
that his ignorance of the ways of the country was responsible
for the failure, and offered to engineer the deal for a part
interest in the company. The first step was to purchase, for
several thousand rubles, the sympathy and support of a certain
_danseuse_ of the capital. Everything went smoothly and
Witte, the Czar’s Prime Minister, finally wrote a report
recommending the scheme, and the Czar endorsed on the document:
“I approve this in every particular.” Thereupon an American
rival attempted to blackmail the successful franchise-holder.
When the man refused to be held up the rival set various
influences at work. A few days later Plehve handed the
Emperor a report condemning the traction scheme and favoring
its annulment, across which Nicholas wrote: “I approve this
report in every particular.” Horse-cars still operate in St.
Petersburg. (Text.)
(1606)