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1920's Argumentative Essay

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The 1920s started off well with two good contracts: Odebolt and Hawarden asphalt city paving; however, the uncertainty and risk in unit-priced contracting soon developed. The rigidity of the monetary system caused a minor depression by the scarcity of money and its corollary, credit. The Odebolt advancements were renegotiated perforce to 7%, which was an outrageous interest at a time when municipal bonds grew 3%. The Hawarden job could not be financed through regular channels, so a new source was developed through Fred Hubbell, President of the Equitable Life Insurance Co. This proved that money was a commodity that can always be had – at a price. Many other pavers were unable to get financing and carried their work over to 1921. Two …show more content…

We then drove on deserted roads to the Venice landfall where we took the ferry to Venice. We stayed at the Royal Danieli on St. Mark’s Square – with the pigeons. We tried to take baths, but the city water was brown and bubbly like sewage, so we passed on a much-needed scrubbing. During the night there was continual shouting and fighting in St. Mark’s Square, which disturbed our sleep and equanimity. The next day we hired a boat to tour the canals, but the motor failed after a few minutes and remained kaput despite tinkering. We couldn’t get a refund on account of the pilot’s …show more content…

We were tired out from a long day and looked forward to a nice room. However, the hotel was booked solid and we faced the night sitting in the lobby. The concierge felt sorry for us and advised there was a train bound for Ostend and a ship to Dover, England, due out at midnight, which we promptly decided to take. At the station again, we soon learned that sleeping compartments were sold out, but we could talk with the sleeping car supervisor (a Belgian). When we located him, in desperation, we held out a handful of German Marks so the supervisor could help himself. He promptly found us a fine compartment; we piled into bed and fell asleep. Shortly thereafter, we were awakened by an unholy racket and shouting match outside our door, which eventually subsided. In the morning, we learned that a German had reserved our compartment, but was brushed off by our Belgian friend. The German Army in World War I had overrun the Low Countries and held them hostage for four years, so the animosity still rankled and all Germans were considered persona

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