The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-06-04
you for just one quarter of the goat when


you kill IT.
The boy grinned. Pm takin' this ERE
home ter my nIudder." he said. ''Sbe
don't want it; she'd ruther have bag er
IDlun meal"
''See here" the man said. suddenly.
II used to have a big merchant tailoring
establishment. Ny men all left me and I
had TO close up, but I've got lots of cloth.
If you'll just milk that goat before you
kill it. and let me take the milk home to
my baby I'll make you suit OF clothes
with my own hands"
The boy looked down at his ragged toys,
then at Burton. You're Witness" he
said. IT'S er bargain"
The episode gave Burton bright idea
In couple of hours he had secured large
store Oh Market street ana put out a sign !:
Labor Exchange. "A Way Out of Our
Present Difficulties"
He had not long to wait for visitors. The
city was full of idle people, aud they
fiocked to learn what the new idea was.
De first inquirer said:
1--WE got house half built. want it
completed. Have you got any carpenters
that want a job?"
What's your business?" asked Burton.
''Pm baker"
Would you be willing to pay for your
labor in bread?'
"Ot course, if could get -four"
II miller" shouted man in the
crowd; "Pd be willing to work If I could
get bread. but I've got no use for more
gold"
''I've got fifty carloads of wheat in ware
houses" broker said, land I'd be will
| ing to turn it in and do days work for my
share of bread to be made from it,
"Shure, and I'd be glad the day could
| help haul it, cried an Irish .eamster.
but it's no days wages in money I'd
work for. It's pair of boots I'm wantin'
/ IL l 4 4
"Milk! cried dairyman, bitterly
~ GU could "a had milk long ago, but OF
man can | get to drive wagon or turn a
hand to milk the fifty cows. I've had TO
leave their calves with them ever since this
blasted geld fit seized the Government"
Gold !" roared a laborer, lifting bag
containing his DAYS allowance. who
wants gold? It's bread we're starving
| for" and with a single jerk he flung the
| bag into the gutter. The broad twenties
rolled and glittered IN the SUP, and baby,
attracted by the shine, lett its mother
side and picked one up. The rest lay
| where they had Iailen-no one wanted
| them.
Gradually Burton made his plan clear to
the embled throng. He proposed to
start labor exchange, conducted on COM
mission principles. He proposed that the
golden double eagles, now so worthless,
! should be melted ND and cast in to labor
x
change would be labor. In the meantime
written promises TO pay-in labor, would
be accepted as egal tender.
The scheme grew as he talked. with sug-
! gestOns now and then from those in the
crowd, as The workmen warmed up and
began To see a way out of the mire.
Put me down for eight hours day in
! the streetcar service!' cried an eX-grlp-
man, 'and III take my pay in tokens for
| bread and milk and meat service"
Il gladly give that last to the company
for you, SAID sturdy butcher, lust to
! git the cars running cut our way again"
Trade after trade was heard FROM, offer
| ing service and making suggestion. until.
finally, pompous but somewhat anxious
voice inquired:
But where do we come inP ?"
"h no are WEI" was asked.
The bankers and brokers, capitalists
and men of MEANS" replied the Voice.
1nere was a general laugh from the
working crowd. oh" some one SAID. ioc.
ulariy, you Can all put your labor in
along with the rest; just speak up and say
| what you want 10 dO.''
I'VE want our morning paper back. ~
some one cried. Were all willing to work
Tor the printers and editors if they'll work
| for ns."
And so the plans were laid and tins
wheels OF the great city began to move
again. The mills were again in operation
the cars carried passengers about the city,
traffic was resumed; the great law oil
supply and demand rightly applied at last
was working peace and harmony in
the industrial system Of the city. The ex-
ample spread, and prosperity dawned upon
the land. The labor taken of every man
and every woman was good for his or her
daily needs. for it was backed by the only
real value in The world, human power.
Ihe capitalists and politicians Jared
rather badly at first, but as time went by
they began TO fall in line and take their
places in the life of the industrial common
wealth. After few months, there being
no particular reason why the Govern
ment should food the country with
useless gold any more than with
lead or iron tokens, the coming ceased and
gold was only used In the arts and manu-
features. Labor was the wealth of tie
country, and labor was owned by The
People. ADEIrNE E KNApp