The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-12-13
Copyright. 1896. by Robert Barr.)
CHAPTER VIII.

Copyright. 1896. by Robert Barr.)
CHAPTER VIII.
Braunt and Marsten passed from the
dimness of Rose Garden court into tbs
s1riIiiancy of Light street, which on
certain nights in the week was like
one prolonged fair, each side being
lined with heaped-up costers' barrows,
radiant with haring gasoline. Incense
was being burned-evil-smellin in
cense-to the god of cheapness. Hordes
of women, down at the heel, were bar
gaining with equally impecunious ven
ders-meeting and chaffering on the
common level of poverty
Turning into a side street and then
into a narrower lane. the two men
came to a huge building where the Sal
walton Army held its serVices-a build
ing let temporarily to the employees of
Monkton & Hope for the discussion of
their grievances. The place was
crowded 10 the doors, and the latest
corners had some difficulty in making
their way along one side of the walls,
nearer the front platform, where they
at last found room half way between
the door and the speakers.
Scimmins was in the chair, looking
very uneasy and out of place not
knowing exactly what was expected of
him smiling a wan dep-ecatory smile
occasionally as some of his pals in the
crowd made audible remarks about his
elevation, and the native dignity he
brought 10 bear on his Office. One gave
it as his opinion elf you awsked him'O
that Scimmins would have looked
more natural with a pint pot in his
right hand instead OF the mallet with
which he was supposed to keep order.
On a row of chairs at the back of the
platform sat the members of the COM
mittee, looking, most of them, quite as
uncomfortable as the chairman. Sew
eral reporters We're writing at a table
provided for them. Sometimes one
whispered a question to- the chairman
or q member of the committee, and re-
ceived the almost invariable answer,
'-Blest if 1 know; arsk Gibbons
Gibbons was quite palpably the man
OF the hour. He was on his feet by
virtue OF his position as chairman of
the committee and secretary of the
union. and was just finishing the read
ing Of the committees report as
Braunt and Marsten found standing
room at the side of the hall.
And finally your committee begs
leave to report that Mr. Sartwell, hav-
ing rejected all Overtures from your
committee, refusing 10 confer with il
either through its chairman or as d
body it was resolved that this report
be drawn up and presented TO you in
order that definite action may be taken
upon it,
Gibbons, when he had finished read
Ing the document. placed ii upon the
reporters table for their closer inspec-
ton. He had drawn I'D the report
himself and was naturally rather
proud of the wording, and he hoped
TO see it printed in the newspapers.
He turned to his audience. after salut-
ing the chairman.
Now, gentlemen, you have heard
the report. The committee appointed
by you, empowered by you, acting for
you, vested in your authority, has
done all in its power to bring this mat
ter TO an amicable conclusion. 1t has
left no stone unturned, shrunk from
no honorable means. spared no trouble,
TO bring about an understanding fair
alike TO employer and employee. But,
gentlemen, your committee has been
met at the very threshold with a diff
Guilty which il could not surmount; a
difficulty that has rendered all its
efforts abortive. The firm of Monkton
& Hope refers the committee to Mr..
Sartwell the manager, and Mr.. Sart-
well absolutely refuses to see the COM
mittee and discuss anything with it.
This man. who was once a workman
himself now arrogates'i-
Here one of the reporters pulled Glib
Dol4S tOdl lcAll anu d whispered GOllOQQY
took place When it was over Glib /
hons continued: "A gentleman of the
press has asked me a question-and a
very proper question IT. is. He asks if
we threatened Mr.. Sartwell in any way
with a strike, as has been rllmored |
Gentlemen, no threats of any kind
whatever have been used. (Cheers) /
We nave approached Mr.. Sartwell with
the same Difference that we would have /
approached d member of her majesty's |
government if we had a petition to /
present. The sum and substance of |
the whole business is that Mr.. Sart- |
we'll absolutely refuses to treat with |
his own men when they have
That is not true" said a voice from /
the side Of the hall
The crowd turned their heads toward /
the sound, nOticeably gleeful at the in /
terruption It promised liveliness ahead. /
There was a murmur of 2leasurable (
anticipation. Gibbons turned sharply |
toward the point from which the voice |
came.