The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-22

are backed by q wealthy company. Whether
you win or lose, your situation Is secure. II I
failed the union In q crisis, l could never get
another situation"
Sartwell smiled grimly when the young man
mentioned the firm. lie know that there lay
his weakness rather than his strength, for al
though the firm had said he was to have a free
hand, yet he was certain the moment the con-
teet became bitter the Arm would DO panic
stricken. Then, IL tho women.took n hand in.
the Jig was UP. II the strikers had known OH
which side their bread was buttered. they
would have sent a delegation of their wives to
Mrs. Monkton and Mrs. Hone. But they did
not know this, and Sartwell was not the man
to show the weakness of his hand.
Yes" eaid tho manager. II have tho en-
tire confidence OF MIR. Monkton ana Mr.. Hope.
1 wonder IL the men appreciate that fEctr".
"oh, yes, sir; they know that"
Now, Marsten. have you any influence with
the nen?"
Very little. I'm afraid. sir."
II: You have any, now Is the time to exert
II. for their sakes. you know, not for mine. The
strike is bound to fail. Nevertheless, don't
forget a man who stands by me-"
Tho young man shook his head.
IF my comrades go, I'll 70 with them. l
am not so sure that a strike is bound to fail.
| although l am against IL. The union is very
strong. Mr.. Sartweli. Perhaps you don't
know that It is the strongest union in London"
The manager allowed his hand to hover for
a moment over n most of pigeonholes, then
he drew out u paper and handed It to Marsten.
There is the strength of the union. " he said.
down to the seventeen pounds eight shillinGs
and twopence they put in the bank yesterday
afternoon. If you want any information about
your union, Marsten, I shall be happy to oblige
you with it."
The young man opened his eyes as he looked
ut the figures.
1T is a very large sum- he said.
"a respectable lighting fund" remarked
Sartwell. impartially. But how many Sat
urdays do you think it would stand the drain OF
the pay roll Of this establishment"
Not very many. perhaps
1T would surprise you TO know how few.
The men look at one side of this question only.
while I am compelled to look at two sides. II
any Saturday their pay was not forthcoming.
they would not be pleased, would they Now,
l have to scheme and plan so that the money 10
there every Saturday. and besides there must
he enough more to pay the firm for its invest
ment and its risk. These little details may not
seem i'm oortant TO a demagogue who knows
nothing of business. but who can harangue a
body of men and make them dissatisfied. 1
should be very pleased to give him my place
ntTe u u HlOutu UT w Nntc L tOOk " Tesl,
and then we wouid see whether he thought
there was anything TO my point of view"
Mr.. Sartwell.' said Marsten. looking sud
denly Mt the man aRer. some Of the more mod
crate men asked me.to-night.a similar question
to one OF yours"
What question was that?''
They asked II l had any influence with you.'
"Yel: And you told them-?"
THAT I didn't know"
We'll. you will never know until you test
the point. Have YOU anything to suggest"
Many are against a strike. but even the
more moderate think you are wrong in refus-
ing to see the delegation. They think the re-
fusal seems hiGhhanded. and that il you were
compelled to reject any requests made. you
ought not to let things come to a crisis without
at east allowing the delegation TO prcseuo the
mems case"
And do you think I am wrong In this?"
II do"
VERY well. I will settle that in q moment.
You get some of the more moderate together
head the delegation yourself. 1 will make an
appointment with you, and we will talk the
matter over
The young man did not appear so satisfied
with this prompt concession as might have
been expected. He did not reply for some mo-
mcrts. while the elder man looked ut him
critically, with his back against the tall desk.
t last Marsten spoke:
II could not lead the delegation, being one
OF the Youngest. in the employ OF the:frm. The
Secretary of the union Is the leader the men
have chosen"
All! The Secretary Of the union. That Is
quito u different matter. He is not in my en-
ploy. cannot allow outsiders to interfere.in
any business with which ] am connected. l
am always willing to receive my own men,
eifher Siuply or in leDntntiOn- and that ia M
small matter whore so many men are at work;
but IL am to open my office doors to the out
side w~orld-weli. life is too short. For in
stance, I discuss these things with you. but I
should decline to discuss them with any man
who dropped in out of the street"
Yes. l see the difficulty. but don't you think
you nj yht make a concession in this instance.
to avoid troubles"
1T wouldn't be avoiding trouble. sit would
merely he postponinR IL. IL would form a prec-
edent. and / would have this man or that in
terferinG time and again. would have to
make a stand some time, perhaps, when l was
not so well prepared. II there is to be a fight,
]. want IL now. We need new machinery In,
and we could do with a weeks shutdown
Marsten shook his head.
THE shutdown would be for longer than q
week, he said.
II know that. The strike will last exactly
three Weeks. Az inc emu Ol tnbt LING tEere
will be no VI ion.'
Perhaps there will also be no factory"
You mean there will be violence2 Very
we'll. In that case the strike will las but a
fortnight. You zee, my hoy. we are In Lon
don. and there are not only the police within
a moments call. but. back Of them, the SOL
diers, and back OF them again the whole Brit
ish empire. Oh, no. Marsten, II won't do. you
know, II won't do.
"The men are determined, Mr.. Sartwell.'
"All the better. like a determined antag-
orist. Then you got things settled once for
all. | don't object to n square. stand-up fight,
but eternal haGgling and higgling. and seeing
Populations and affiliations. and all that sort
of thing. l cannot endure. Let.us know where
We are. and then get on with our work."
'Then You have nothing 10 propose. Mr..
Sartwell? Nothing. conciliatory. l mean"
"Certainly | have. Let=the men request
that blatant.ass Gibbons TO attenl.to his secre-
tarlal duties, and then let a deputation from
our.own workshops come up and see me. Well