America 1919-Chapter 819 - 280, Reggie Vanderbilt_3

Chapter 819: 280, Reggie Vanderbilt_3

Harold Vanderbilt, also the fourth generation of the Vanderbilt family, the son of William Vanderbilt’s third child, Kissam Vanderbilt, was somewhat capable among the extravagant fourth generation Vanderbilt family members.

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He attended Harvard but did not earn a degree, and later entered the New York Central Railroad Company at his father’s arrangement. When World War I broke out, he enlisted in the military, serving as a Lieutenant in the Naval Reserve, commanding a patrol boat in New York, responsible for anti-submarine warfare, and visited the coast of Ireland before the war ended.

After the death of Kissam Vanderbilt, he inherited his fortune, becoming the Vanderbilt family’s only spokesperson at the New York Central Railroad Company!

Moreover, Harold Vanderbilt was also a skilled shell game player; he even participated in the gambling master contest previously held by the Surf Hotel, advancing to the final four.

At the same time, Harold Vanderbilt was also the chairman of the rules committee of the New York Whist Club and the vice-chairman of the nationwide bridge rules committee.

Due to his outstanding contributions to bridge, the Olympic Bridge Championship trophy was named after his surname.

In 1964, he was recognized as a “master” in the bridge community by “Bridge World” magazine.

In 1969, he was awarded the title of “World Bridge Federation’s first honorary member” and authored “Contract Bridge Blue Book,” among others.

He also won the America’s Cup sailing race three times in the 1930s, appeared on the cover of Time Magazine in September 1930, died on July 4, 1970, at the age of 85, and was inducted into the America’s Cup Hall of Fame in 1993.

Donnie was indifferent to these titles; what really concerned him was that, although Harold Vanderbilt seemed to be a successful figure, he was not much different from the third and fourth generations of the Vanderbilt family members.

In another timeline, when Harold Vanderbilt presided over the New York Central Railroad Company, he eventually faced a hostile takeover by Morgan and Rockefeller. At the beginning of this takeover battle, Harold Vanderbilt hardly resisted at all before selling his shares in the company.

His words at the time were: “Finally, I can get rid of this damn company!”

When Rockefeller and Morgan heard this remark from Harold Vanderbilt, they both showed helpless expressions, thinking that if they had known he wanted to get rid of the job so badly, they would have negotiated with him much earlier; why wait this long?

Donnie also understood Reggie Vanderbilt’s view, although they were both from the Vanderbilt family and both had a voice in the family.

But in fact, a rift had already appeared between them in the previous generation!

This could be seen from their competition to build various luxurious estates.

“The business I’m talking about is indeed related to the New York Central Railroad Company, but this deal must be discussed with you, not Harold!” Donnie cut into the steak in front of him.

Reggie Vanderbilt looked at Donnie suspiciously: “You know I never get involved in the company’s affairs, I really can’t think of anything that I could help you with.”

Donnie sighed; having been around smart people for so long, everyone was accustomed to such implicit remarks. If it were someone else hearing Donnie speak like this, they might have already guessed Donnie’s intentions.

But it was clear that Reggie Vanderbilt had not caught on to this!

“I want to acquire all the shares of the New York Central Railroad Company you hold!” Seeing that Reggie Vanderbilt couldn’t grasp his meaning, Donnie could only discuss it straightforwardly with him.

Donnie was not like Morgan or Rockefeller with so many taboos. According to Donnie’s observations, compared to the stocks of the New York Central Railroad Company, a person like Reggie Vanderbilt would definitely prefer to have more cash in hand.

After all, shares couldn’t be directly exchanged for cash!

As expected, upon hearing that Donnie wanted to acquire his New York Central Railroad Company stocks, Reggie Vanderbilt did not react as angrily as Dick when he heard that Donnie wanted to take over the Breton Bank; instead, he showed an expression of consideration and excitement.

“Donnie, the New York Central Railroad Company was founded by my grandfather and great-grandfather, it’s the Vanderbilt family’s honor!”

Donnie looked at Reggie Vanderbilt’s proud demeanor and laughed: “Come on, let’s not talk like this between you and me, Reggie. What use is the stock of the New York Central Railroad Company in your hands if it can’t be cashed out? It’s just a bunch of worthless share certificates, and as I recall, due to recent intense competition in the railroad business, the company hasn’t distributed dividends for two years, right?

Do you really want to live off a pile of stock certificates?”

Donnie was aware that the New York Central Railroad Company had not distributed dividends; he knew this from Jack Morgan. In fact, this was one of Morgan and Rockefeller’s strategies against the Vanderbilt family.

They knew that these two generations of the Vanderbilt family were essentially living off their legacy, and what they wanted to do was make the Vanderbilt family use up their capital and then be forced to sell their shares in the New York Central Railroad Company to liquidate.

This had become a way of life for not a few in the Vanderbilt family!

Reggie Vanderbilt pondered for a moment, then looked at Donnie tentatively and asked, “So, how much are you willing to pay?”

Donnie smiled; he knew that dealing with Reggie Vanderbilt would be much simpler than the previous engagements with the Breton Bank and the Sinclair Oil Corporation.

Then Donnie provided a figure.

Reggie Vanderbilt got somewhat excited but still feigned restraint, stating, “I need to think about it!”