Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1902-08-15
THE STRIKE AT
ROCKY BOTTOM
BY J. A. CoNwELL.

argued MI. Nnlte, preSluenI vi lhe
company and chief owner of the stock,
shat we are now operating the works
nj little or no profit and that the
cause of it is the unexpected failure OF
the rise in the river and a consequent
lack of cheap fuel. We must shut
down. There is no other course
allow can we do that?" inquired Mr.
Gray, treasurer of the company, local
merchant and principal magnate of the
town that had grown up around the
works. "Our contract with the Broad
way Bridge company requires us TO
deliver a big lot of finished lumber
every week"
'sThere is clause in the contract
which suspends its operation during
shutdown occasioned by a strike or
an accident to the machinery an
swered the president
"But there is no strike, and the ma
chinery is all right"
"Suppose, Brother Gray, that cut
of 10 or Is per cent. should he made in
the mems wages, what would be the
resuh?"
superintendent Brown can answer
that question better than | can" said
Mr.. Gray, tuf ning toward that officer.
"The men wouldn't work an hour un-
der such a cut" Responded the super
intendent.
"Just what I expected" continued
the president, locking his fingers un-
der his prominent abdomen and twirl-
ing his thumbs with satisfaction.
"wem make the cut, the works will
close, we shall avoid possible losses,
and at the same time shield ourselves
from trouble with the bridge com
pany."
"But our workmen; are their inter
ests not to be taken into considera-
tion?"
"Business is business, Mr.. Gray. /
am here to look out for my own inter
ests and for those of the other stock
holders"
"The men are our neighbors, though
not yours. Mr.. White. Many of them
are friends. Whether they strike or
continue to work at the reduced wages,
they and their families will be sorely
pinched."
'Somebody must be pinched. in any
event. If we continue to operate the
works at loss it will be us; If we
make the cut it will be somebody else,
I'd rather pinch than be pinched any
time"
The cut was ordered and the presi-
dent hurried away to catch the 4:5C
train for the city. The remaining 6i-
rectors gathered on the sidewalk
where they were joined by young Har'
ry Brown. an assistant under his
father, and others, among whom were
John Mason, one of the foremen.
Mason was king among the men in
the works. They regarded him as
their leader and followed whitherso'
ever he led. Being an intelligent and
observing man, he had suspected that
the company was not making money
and feared some such course as the one
adopted. He was, therefore, not taker
7unawares.
"of course, we can't work for such
wages" said he to Mr.. Gray. "Wt
must go out"
"How are the men to live through
the winter without work? inquired
the merchant.
''That is what should like to speal
to you about. If we can make some ar
rangement with you to help us till th
ciyer rises and coal comes down, wei
be o. X"
"Half loaf is better than no bread
Mason, don't act hastily"
1If we should accept tie cut it woul,
be all up with us. Our wages'd neve
be put back toswhere they are now
never. Mr.. Whited say if we can worl
through the winter for such wages, w
can do it through the summer. But W
can't do it and live half way decent"
.'And if you strike?"
"He'd expect to start up at the oil
wages as soon as coal comes, and he
do it, too"
AN what way do you expect me t
help you"
.You have your warehouse filled wit
everything that We'll need. There ar
about 400 of us, Mr.. Gray, and yo
kndw there is not black sheep anon
US. If you'll honor our committee
order for supplies we'll obligate oui
selves, Jointly and severally, to repa
you as soon as we get to work agail
And two weeks work, maybe less, wi
pay the debt. We shall be very graf,
full for your help, VIII you not do fo
us what you'd like to have some on
do for you if you stood in our shoes
Gray knew the men. their wives an
their children, and, being man of fe'
words, quick of decision in an eme
gency, and amply able to comply wit
the request he answered: "All righ
Mason. I'll do it. But ! want you {
countersign the orders. Then I'll |
sure there's no extravaganza"
suppose the works should not sta,
up again, Mason" said Superinte ndel
Brown, quiet listener till now.
san improbablec contingency. There
20 much money in their operation o