The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-04-05
THE STRIKE AT ROCKY BOTTOM.


profit that the of is the failure
OF the June in the river and subsequent lack of
cheap fuel. We must shut down. There is
How can we do that?" inquired Mr.. Gray treasurer
of the company local merchant, and principal magnate
of the town that had around the works Our
with Broadway Bridge Company requires
deliver big finished every week
There is clause in the contract which suspends its
operation during shutdown by a strike.
by an accident to the machinery, answered the presi
is no strike the machinery is all right"
Suppose Brother Gray, that of 10 TO Is per
should be made in the mems what would be the
resut?"
Superintendent can answer that question bet
than said Mr.. Gray turning
THE men wouldn't work hour under such a. cut"
responded the superintendent.
Just what 1 expected" continued president,
ing his fingers under his prominent abdomen twrl
ing his thumbs with satisfaction. We'll cut
the works will close shall possible losses
at the time shield ourselves from trouble with the
bridge company
But workmen their interests not to be
taken into considerations"
Business is business, Mr. Gray. I here to look
out for interests and of the stockholders"
The men neighbors, though, yours Mr..
White Many of them friends. Whether they strike
continue work at the reduced wages, they and
their families will be sorely pinched.'
Somebody must be pinched in event. If
tnue operate the works at loss it will be to if
We make the cut it will be somebody else I'd rather
pinch than be pinched any time"
The ordered and the president hurried away
catch the 150 for the city The remtining
gathered sidewalk, where they were joined by
Harry Brown, assistant under his father and
others among whom John Mason of the foremen
Mason was king among the men in the works They
regarded him their
he led Being suspected that the max
ing and feared such the adopt
ed. He therefore, not taken unawares.
"Of course can't work for such wages" said to
Mr.. Gray. I'VE go
How the live through the winter without
work?" inquired the merchant.
THAT is what 1 should like to speak you II
we make some arrangement with to help till
the river rises and coal we'll be o. k
Half a loaf is better than breed, Mason. Don't
hastily"
should accept the would be all up with US
Cur wages would be put back to where they
now-never. Mr.. Whited say if work through
the winter for such wages do through the
ut can't do it and live halfway decent"
you striker"
He'd expect to start up the old wages soon as
coal comes and he'd do it,
In what way do you expect me to help you?"
~9ou have your warehouse filled with everything that
we'll need There about four hundred US Mr..
Gray, and know there is black sheep among
If you'll honor committees orders supplies we'll
oblgate ourselves jointly and severaIy, to
soon get to work again. work,
maybe less will the debt We shall very CRATE
full for your help VIII you for us what you'd
like have someone @ for you if you stood in our
shoes?"
Gray knew the men, their wives and their children
and being of few words quick of decision in an
he answered. "Al right Mason. I'll do it, but
you to countersign the orders Then I'll be there's
no extravaganza"
Suppose the should start up again Mason"
said Superintendent Brown a quiet listener
IAN improbable contingency. There's money
in their operation, ordinarily. for Mr.. White allow
them remain idle very long,
THE old Vulcan river haven't had a
fire lighted in them for five years" Brown
Because the concerns in court and can't be
the suits settled"
Harry andh faith
like father and up their
home.
Il think Mr.. White have a paving stone in his
breast instead of heart What do you think,
Il think, if to remain in his employ. you
would be better cautious you crcise him" answer
ed the discreet elder
Il know. | kept my mouth shut over there in the
crowd. 1 want to open it w. Think of many
things the and their families will deprived Of
Such haf-a-day Iay-ofs. picnics excursions on
the river and forth"
Perhaps But consider the other side moment Mr.
White told that unless there down he
could neither his family summer nor
permit them to spend the Newport"
DO you consider that hardship" exclaimed the boy
why shouldn't it be? man must look out for his
first"
The strike had been on for month. Mr.. Gray had
disposed of his stock in the works no longer
treasurer. One evening a number of the idle
gathered in mis- where kept postofica
The river rising rapidly and the
ing the probability of cheap fuel in the
Harry Brown was there too He had had good deal
the works We're in operation and the business hadn't
seemed TO lessen since the shutdown The cashier
was Mr.. Gray's daughter.
While Harry talking to Miss Gray through the
opening in the glass partition behind which
special domain there eommotion among the
in the other end of the Superintendent Brown
had in with the others and have
interesting information He called
gust and Joined the group.
Mr.. Gray had received letter from the president
the Broadway Bridge Company. Among other things.
he had written:
Il have bought the old Vulcan Mills from the tigants
and propose 10 start them they put
shape I you will a favor Gray. 20
accept the presidency of the company. know
the best workmen will flock to your standard. 1
done with the Rockybottom works"
Mr. White will certainly him for breach
tract interpcsed Superintendent Brown
Wait a minute Brown said Gray. looking over
his spectacIes. and maybe you'll change your opinion
And he continued read Il have notified White
his violation OF the contract released discovered
that he had forced the strike the men. sd-
Used that he had right make unreason-
able in wages and claim exemption obi
cations of the than he would have chuck
steel rail into his hywheel and claim exemption
accident his machinery"
What you say that Brown
Nothing. I'm a lawyer"
h. hayra he