Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-11-27
THE STRIKE AT
ROCKY BOTTOM
BY ]. A. coNwELL.

argued Mr.. Nhlte, president q 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 il is 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 10
deliver a big lot of finished lumber
every week"
"There is clause in the contract
which suspends its operation during a
shutdown occasioned by strike or
an accident 10 the machinery an
swered the president
"But there is no strike, and the ma
chinery is all right"
Suppose, Brother Gray, that a cut
Of 10 or IS per cent. should he made in
the mems wages, what would be the
result?"
Superintendent Brown can answer
that question better than ! can" said
Mr.. Gray, turning 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.
Wen 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. II we continue to operate the
works at a loss 1t will be us; if we
make the cut il 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-
nv 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. eve
must go out"
"How are the men TO live through
the winter without work? inquired
the merchant.
"That is what l should like TO speak
10 you about, If we can make some ar,
rangement with you to help us till the
river rises and coal comes down, wei
be o. K"
Half a loaf IS better than no bread
Mason, don't act hastily"
"If 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 worl
through the winter for such wages, W,
can do il through the summer. But ",
can't do ii and live half way decent"
And if you striker"
"He'd expect to start up at the ole
wages as soon as coal comes, and he'C
do it. too"
IN what way do You expect me t.
help you?"
"You have your warehouse filled Will
everything that Wen need. There ar,
about 400 Of us, Mr.. Gray, and yol
know there is not black sheep amoni
US. If youH honor our committee
order for supplies Wen obligate our
selves, jointly and severally, to repa,
you as soon as we get TO work again
! And two weeks work, maybe less. vii
pay the debt. We shall be very CRATE
full for your help Will YOU not 40 70
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 a man Of fev
words, quick Of decision in an emer
| gency, and amply able to comply wit
the request, he answered: "All right
Mason. III do IL. But / want Won {,
/ countersigu the orders Then III b
sure there's no extravaganza"
suppose the works should not star
/ mp again. Mason" said Superintendent
Brown, quiet listener till now.
AN improbableeontingency There
20 much money in their operation OF
dinarily to allow them to remain i'd