Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-11-03
MIR. HEADEXPLAINS
PloW Works Vice President
Talks of that Placard.
Refreshing MORNING INTERVIEW

A DictatariAl Document Followed by an
Assurance that IL was Not Intended to
Have Observation-Disclosures Pure and
Simple.
Vice President F. A. Head, OF the
Rock Island Plow company, had
himself interviewed in this mornings
Union. anent the intimidatipg pIa-
card displayed at the works last Sat-
urday evening.
The interview reads like a patent
medicine testimonial. All that it
needs is the description of the symp-
toms-pains in the back, dizziness
and spots before the eyes to pas 8
muster as a cracker Jack in its line.
Mr. Head dictated the interview
and caused the Union to say that it
took the offensive annou ncement
which The ARGUS condemned yes
terday, as ian ordinary business an
nouncement." As a matter OF fact,
in view of the Unions customary
conception of matters affecting the
general public, it should not have
been necessary for Mr.. Head to have
put words into its mouth. But he
did. The interview is a strange re-
versal Of the recognized form of
newspaper usage. in that the answer
invariably suggests the question in
Mr.. Heads case.
After emphasizing the opinion
that Bryan's election would paraly re
business and that all the factories OF
Rock Island and Moline would have
to close, and the repetition Of the
decla ration that reopening of the
shops depend upon Mckinley :
election, MIR. Head SAYS he fails to
see in in it an appeal to the men to
help elect Mckinley.
A Pointtr to Intelligent Mon.
Then he follows up the Statement,
by the assertion that the pillow COM
pany men "are intelligent reasoning
beings. accountable to no one for the
way thy vote, and will do as they
please" 1t goes without saying tn ii
Mr.. Head did not understand the in.
telligence and reasoning powers oil
his men when he posted that notice.
1t is because the men are intelligent
and reasoning that they resented thi:
impudence Of the com pany IN pre-.
suming upon that Intelligence and
reasoning. A man is told by his em.
ployer tnat he is as free as the air to
vote as he pleases, to exercise the
God given rights of the constitution
of the United States, but he is con-
fronted by the announcement
officially signed. that he can only
have the opportunity for further
work in the event of the success Of
the candidate whom his employer
approves. In other words q mac
may have principles ard he maj
vote them, but he can only have
work by the trium phi of the priu. iple.
which his employer believes in.
The effect of the notice displayed
at the pillow works shop Saturday
night was to intimidate the men and
to influence their votes. 1t was coer.
cion pure and simple, and Mr.. Head.
prepared interview in this morning'.
Union is intended to clinch that
effect-to rub the insult further il
by imPressing it more forcibly upon
the men.
The fact of the matter is tina,
the Rock Island Pillow company will
be running as usual this win err, nc
matter who is elected-.hat is il the
interests Of the stockholders are Il
be guarded, for other manufacturer.
OF farm implements no further away
than Moline propose to do SO, and
no corporation is going to surrender
its trade for the sake of teaching it!
men an obi eet lesson in politics.