The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1903-06-06

like most old sayings, but partially
true and of special application. Rich
ard Grenault was no weakling. OF stall
wart frame, prepossessing countenance
and pleasant manners, he was general
favorite of the mill hands of Factoria.
Yet he was not framed as had been his
father, for sinews of steel and rug
ged constitution that laughed at the ills
Of flesh; nor were either capable OF
paralelling those feats of wonderous
strength that legends ascribed to the
Grenault before them. This first Gren-
ault loved the open air, as had lived
his forebears. and living we'll as the
world went Nature repaid him with
a vitality that succumbed only to the
weight of a hundred years: He was
not a workman to be relied upon when
wild game was abundant, fishing good,
or summer days enervating. Thus he
passed to his son a physique but little
deprecated. This son was steadier.
The factory life insidfously rsApped His
vitals, so that the present Richard,
while bearing all the outward semb-
lence Of the Grenault race, claimed none
of it's prodigies as to feats of endurance.
The weaker and wiser" theory held
but a wage in Richard Grenault's phil
osophy until the coming of Little Wee
Tot Looking down upon this fragile
bit of humanity, much like piece of
Dresden China shriveled in the casting,
there was framed to the fathers lips
the heart-wail of the millions: This
day was another heir born to poverty"
The factory grind has now effectually
done its work. In this newcomer there
is to be found pothing of that virility,
not even the shell of the Grenault heri-
tage. The shrunken sinews gave no
promise Of it's vanished strength. Yet
what has been, can be-thinks the
father. Those steel-grit sinews, the
rich, red blood of health. the unlimited
capacity for the enjoyment of life may
he won again; with the added worth
of knowledge that former ages could
not hold. These thoughts come rather
nebulous. it is true and prove no guide
wherewith to map out the life of Little
Wee-Tot Yet the child shall never be-
come a factory slave, but Here
the father scans the starvlings around
him, wonders at their increasing num-
Der, so quickly displacing their elders
al the work bench and at machine. This
sets Richard Grenault thinking. Then
follow months of study, Of patient in
vestlgatlon. until at length he is as
sumed that no more thoroughly know
the grievances of his fellow workers,
none more capable of playing the mod
ern Moses to these benighted people,
No phase of the labor problem has been
sighted. Like skillful fencer, he
knows each vantage point, marks every
pitfall. His SYSTEM evolved after
much laborous thought, holds no loop
hold for misadventure. It's basic prin-
ciple is co1lciliation. 1t key stone the
Golden Rule. And upon these is BIRTH
wrought the United, Labor. League. OF
Fact IS. Richard G:renau q president
y "A year passes before tn union begins
it's serious work. The factory-inspec-
ton law is to be enforced and an or
dinance passed prohibiting the employ
ment of children under the age of six
teen. These in a fair way to success,
thanks to the "system,' the street rail-
way corporation is appealed to for a
regulation for hours and pay of their
employees.
The reception accorded Grenault's ef-
forts, which he modestly ascribes to
his unfailable SYSTEM" is both graft
flying and surprising. The press unan-
pit graciously bestows its blessing, with
appropriate text Of workers worthy
their hire" Even the superintendent of
the street railway, M. Jason Elkmire,
compliments the union upon its conser-
vatlve course. and earnestly hopes that
'agitators and denogogues may be kept
from it's ranks But the executive
committee of the union fails to receive
any definite promise Of lettering the
conditions Of workn1en in his employ.
Instead, they listen to a, long TRADE OF
abuse, vague charges and blackmail,
and are dismissed with the hope that
another conference may bring better
results.
The following day, however, Grenault
is astounded to find in the morning
papers garbled report of the confer
ence, where Mr.. Elkmire's charge of
blackmail is fully set forth and in such
terms as to convict the committee while
"deploring the necessity of warning
workmen that they are being made the
tools of INSCRIPTIONS trouble breeders, "
At the second conference the reporters
of all the city papers are present. Mr..
Elknires immediately notifies the Wis
itors that he cannot recognize them as
representing any unauthorized body
he is willing to treat with the employees
individually, and requests those having
! complaints to submit the same in writ
ing to the next meeting of the board OF
directors-and two policemen escort the
| committee to the street. The evening
| papers announce that the men "refuse
to make complaints, probably having
! none, but urged OH by evil minded lead
ers and careless Of the discomfort to a
g-suffering public will probably
strike" The superintendent, Mr. Elk
| 'nlre, with the sole purpose of serving
this public" is energetically working
TO d settlement of the trouble. The
committee, and all other officers of the
union, find themselves without employ
ment.
Altogether, Richard Grenault feels
| that somehow his system fails to work