New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-27

finally exclaimed:
"Great God, That's impossipie' car.
az, at all" answered Swift, confidently II
&c not only possible, but is certainty
nwhot is vour plan?" asked Clauson, hall IN
o,,,od IN believe he was dealing with a par Vi
madmen. 49,, ,,,,c
..Iirst L., mo explain that ii is here the luhc-
ton Of n trust becomes important IL """'' "
noce Of folly for US to expend a mliiloh anu "
b,Ir n bring about such result as we p'oi'''''
+, Tom Dick and Harry are to snare all Vi ''''
heneGts equally with us. We 90 not opJe'' ~
Tho country at large enjoying inc prosperity "i"'
uiu inevitably follow; but we 90 OBJECT " ii'"'
IN the iron trade. who nave hau II" h""'' ~
mart no sympathy with the movement ie"P'"3
,ha nros,s II is therefore of vital importance
that we should control the IRON 'rdue Vi H"'''
"a With your works combined Win ou'S w
will practically have that trade
.pr, vour plan?" exclaimed Clauson. inpa-
ticntly. .,..
"Aftor q consolidation. while you are operating
T., America Cutting and will drop over 70 Eng
land
Yes" said Clauson.
"rbo length of a days labor In England is
,ou, n,ro hours the pay IS shillings per week
Of fifty hours.
|
"Tcn weeks from the day we land In England
, ,ro,riso Won that country will be startled by
tho greatest strike she has witnessed since the
memorable wear 1870 Eight hours work a
d,v, will be the cry Of the British workman,
o,d no will get it, II we can cut off that hour
from the producing capacity of England's ma
chinists and iron mouIders that country Will
never again compete with us
.r,s Napol.onic" said ClausOn, drawing a
long breath of excitement
Cutting and Swift exchanged satisfied glances'
They did not discuss the morale OF the plan. nor
the future Of the British workman, nor the tate
of the manufacturer To these three men never
the slightest reprmand Of conscience arose 10
oucstion the integrity or the humanity Of their
nurposc With them it was business. Give them
the credit due them; personal profits stood sec
ondary in their calculations. The uppermost
consideration in their minds was IAN American
victory" The thought Of moving and control
ling an undertaking that would operate TO upset
the world. star,lc Europe and snatch from Great
Britain the very industry upon the mastery OF
which she most prided herself appealed strong
" 10 these men, TO individuals of their callbre
It will not be difficult to convey a clear compre-
hersion Of their true feelings. Cheap minds m
capable Of approaching this sentiment. Will be
likely to sheer at the idea that patriotism en-
tered into their deliberations, but it did never
theless.
A mass Of statistics of the iron trade, which
a corps Of able men had gathered for swift q
Cutting. were carefully discussed BEFORE the
meeting broke up Clauson had agreed TO enter
the scheme.
The following day lawyers were called in the
transfers signed and American Iron" from that
hour was a recognized security In the STOCK eX-
changes OF the world. The works were cap
ualized at S30OUOOOO 600. Small blocks of stock
were soon being washed backward and forward
on the tide % the New-York market by trusted
brokers at SO. After the trio had arranged the
details Of the future manipulation OF the securi-
t.. Clauson hurricdly returned from New-iorK
TO Pennsylvania to reorganizc the practical OPP
crations Of the great plants of American Iron
/ Swift and Cutting set sail on the City OF Paris
for England armed with letters Of credit aggre-
eating 81, 100000
Ten days after the arrival OF these gentlemen
in England mutterirgs began TO be heard among
the iron workers. John Hurd, recognized
leader of labor. gave voice 10 some fiery utter
ances concerning the degradation OF labor and
the rights Of the British workman" There was
a close alliance between Hurd and the two
Americans Hurd. patriot that ne was, gave up
his work. and solcmnly declared that from that
time forward he would devote his voice, his en-
orgy his very life If need be, to the emancipa-
zion OF British labor" Mrs. Hurd, though a
thrifty soul. not in the least fearful over
this sclf-saC riicing conduct on the part OF her
husband. Indeed, a prosperous air that neither
honest toll nor idleness could bring began To
pcrmcate the domestic atmosphere of the Hurd