told to close the pay window and not to open it again during sessions of the Deputies.
And a quorum was soon present.
That incident illustrates one aspect of the money problem in Mexico. An incident illustrating another aspect came to my attention during a conference with a Canadian electrical engineer. The company he represented desired to erect poles to carry their feed wires from a plant near the capital to another city. The line, as mapped, was to cross a large plantation owned by Indians. The concession was worth between five thousand and eight thousand pesos to the company. The engineer went to see the Indian. He offered him four thousand pesos.
"No, no, Señor," protested the Indian.
"Why not?" asked the foreigner.
"No. No four thousand, Señor," said the owner.
"Well, how much then? What do you want?" questioned the Canadian.
"If Señor will fill my sombrero and my son's sombrero with pesos, silver pesos, I will give you the concession.
"But," protested the engineer, "four thousand pesos are much more than two hats will hold."
"No, no, Señor, no. You must fill my sombrero and my son's sombrero with pesos."
And the foreigner returned the next day with enough pesos to fill the two hats so that the coins rolled over the sides. The Indian was delighted.
