Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1902-09-11
THE STRIKE AT
ROCKY BOTTOM
BY J. A. coNWELL.

bottom iron works was in session
The question before the board was
whether the works should close or not
'You must understand, gentlemen
argued Mr.. White, president OF the
company and chief owner of the stock,
shat we are now operating the WORKS
at little or no profit and that the
cause of tits the unexpected failure OF
the rise in the river and consequent
lack of cheap fuel. We must shut
down. There is no other course
"How 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 big lot of finished lumber
every week.
ssThere is a clause in the contract
which suspends it's operation during a
shutdown occasioned by 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 be made in
the mems wages, what would be the
result?''
superintendent Brown can answer
that question better than I can," said
Mr.. Gray, turning toward that officer.
''The men wouldn't work an hour un'
der such cut" responded the super.
intendent.
"Just what I expected" continued
the president, locking his fingers un'
der his promin ent abdomen, and twirl.
ing his thumbs with satisfaction
''We'll 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."
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 A.:
train for the city. The remaining oi-
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 taken
unawares.
'Of course, we can't work for such
wages" said he to Mr.. Gray. 1--WE
must go OUT ...
"How are the men to live through
the winter without work? inquired
the merchant.
"That is what should like to speak
to you about. If we can make some ar
rangement with you to help us till the
river rises and coal comes down, We'll
be o. K"
"Half loaf is better than no bread,
Mason don't act hastily"
eff we should accept the cut it would
be all up with us. Our wages'd never
be put back to where they are now
never. Mr.. White'd say if we can work
through the winter for such wages, we
can do it through the summer. But we
can't do it and live half way decent"
Sand if you strike?'
"He'd expect to start up at the ole
wages as soon as coal comes, and he'6
do it, too" ......
"In what way do you expect me t.
help you?"
''You have your warehouse filled will
everything that We'll need. There art
about 400 of us. Mr.. Gray, and yor
know there is not black sheep among
US. If you'll honor our committee's
order for supplies We'll obligate our
selves, jointly and severally, to repay
you as soon as we get to work again
And two weeks work, maybe less, will
pay the debt We shall be very CRATE.
full for your help. Will you not do fol-
US what you'd like to have some one
do for you if you stood in our shoes %
Gray knew the men, their wives anc
their children, and, being man of few
words, quick of decision in an emer
gency, and amply able to comply will
the request, he answered.: "All right
Mason. I'll do it. But I want YOU tt
countersign the orders. Then I'll b.
sure there's no extravaganza"
Suppose the works should not star
up again, Mason" said Superintendent
Brown. quiet listener till now.