Wesley Mouch

Although Rearden’s lobbyist is introduced in Chapter II (p 40) and a man named Wesley Mouch is introduced in Chapter III (p 45), it is only later that Wesley Mouch is stated as “Rearden’s Washington man” (p 50). “Nobody ever paid any attention to Wesley Mouch.” (p 45). He agrees with Boyle’s statements: “Everybody ought to share the burden of everybody else”; “That is, I think, true”; “The only justification of private property … is public service”; “That is, I think, indubitable” (p 45); “[There is a study whether Rearden Metal] may be an actual public hazard”; “That is, in my opinion, wise” (p 46). When Larkin pleads that he “can’t be expected to buck the trend of the whole world” Mouch responds, “You can’t, Mr. Larkin … You and I are not to be blamed” (p 48). Perhaps Mouch and Larkin are much alike, for Larkin “could not bear to look at Mouch.” Taggart remarks, “What I like about you, Mouch, is that you don’t talk too much” (p 50).