Evening star., 1896-12-12

Gibbons was quite palpa5ly the man of
the hour He was OF his feet by virtue OF
tis position as chairman of :he committee
and secretary to the union, and was just
finishing the reading of the committees
report as BIaunt and Marsten found stand
Ing room at the side of the hall.
And finally your committee begs leave
to report that Mr.. Sartwell. having re-
jected all overtures from your committee,
refusing to confer with it either through
Its chairman or as body. it was resolved
that this report be drawn UP and pre-
sented to you In order that definite action
may be taken upon IL"
Gibbons when he had finished reading
the document, placed it upon The reporters
table for their closer inspection He had
drawn up the report himself and was natur-
ally rather proud of the wording, and he
hoped to see it printed in the newspapers
He turned TO his audience, after saiuting
the chairman.
Now. gentlemen. you have heard the re-
port. The committee appointed by you,
empowered by you. acting for you, vested
in your authority. has done all In its power
to bring this matter to amicable con-
clrsion. 1t has left no stone unturned,
shrUnk from no honorable means. spared
no trouble. to bring about an understanding
fair alike to employer and employe. But,
gentlemen, your committee has been met
at the very threshold with a difficulty
which it could not surmount; difficulty
that has rendered all its efforts abortive.
The firm CT Monkton & Hope refers the
committee to Mr.. Sartwell. the manager,
and Mr.. Sartwen absolutely refuses to
the committee and discuss anything with
II. This man, who was once workman
himself. now arrogates-
Here one CT the reporters pulled Gibbons
coat tail. ard a whispered colloQuy took
place. When ii was over, Gibbons contin-
ued: "A gentleman of the press has asked
me question-and very proper question
II is He asks If We threatened Mr.. Sart-
well in any way with a strike, as has been
ruricred- Gentlemen. no threats of any
no rEN~G haNr hzz,,
we have approached Mr.. Sartwen with
the same Difference that we would have ap-
preached a member of her matesty's gov
errment II We had a petition to present
Ihe sum ard substance of the whole bust
ness is that Mr.. Sartwell absolutely refuses
10 treat with his own men when they
have"
That is not true" said voice from the
side of the hall
The crowd turned their heads toward the
sound. nCticeably gleeful at the interrupt
ton 1t promised liveliness ahead. There
was a murmur OF pleasurable anticipation
Gibbons turned sharply toward the point
from which the voice came
What is not true?'' he demanded.
10 see his own men"
Are YOU one of them?''
Yes Are you?'
There was a rustic of intense enjoyment
al tnis Palpable hit at Gibbons. The glib
speaker himself was taken aback by the
retort, but only for a moment
thought, continued the secretary
that IL might have been some one sent
here to interrupt this meeting This NAV
st'!i De the case. but VIC will waive that
point We viii not follow Mr. SartwelPs
example. and il there is any friend of his
present We sh9ll be pleased to hear from
MIN at the proper time. AS 1 was about to
say " hen / was init
L answered your question. answer
mine" cried the voice.
Gibbons g1GrCed appealingly at the chair
Tor protection, and Scinmlns rapped feehIv
with mis- gavel on the table in front ~
him. saying. Order crder' but in a tona
that he apparently hoped nobody wouId
hear uiu
What Is your question: asked Cibbons
with an angry ring in his voice
Are you an employe of Monkton q
HCpe?'
Il am secretary of the union Of which
that nrm's men are a part and may
add. the strongest union in London am
chairman of this committee composed ~
that FIRMS men. / did not seek the post
tion, but was unanimously elected to n
Therefore, / claim that practically I am
an employe of Monkton & Hope, and that
no man here has better right to sneak
for those employes-aye. OF to stand up for
them against oppression-than have
And l viii tell the man who Interrupts
NELL tell him TO his face.~that I am
not to be browbeaten from the path OF
duty by him. OF by Mr.. Sartwell, either as
long as / retain the confidence of the men
who put me here. / acknowledge no other
masters. II you want to address this
meeting come up here on the platform ard
face II like a man, and not stand barking