Nick describes the land that lies in between the eggs and New York City as a

Nick tells us about a stretch of land lying "about half way between West Egg and New York" which is so desolate that it is merely a "valley of ashes — a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into the ridges and hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take the forms of houses . . . [and] with a transcendent effort, of men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air." As the geographic midpoint between what is in effect the suburbs and the city, the valley of ashes, a dreamless, colorless place bound on one side by a putrid river, is home to the sorts of people that the wealthy citizens of the Eggs and the sophisticated people of the city are content to overlook.

the most ethic and honorable thing for the newspaper to do are:

be completely transparent in reporting about the company’s attempt to trade favors.

contact other construction companies to tell them about the situation.

these two options are the most ethic because both promote the market fair course, by telling the other competitors about the company attempt to get ahead in the market by trading favors, the market is guaranteed equality and justice in the trading of goods and services.

b

explanation: