The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1904-05-07
THE LITTLE PICKET.
BY BERNARD ROSE.

Say, Billy, where are you going this |
morning?" inquired James Hodgson Of |
his younger brother. =.
Going? I am going down to see |
the foreman Of the iron works, and will |
show those darned strikers that there |
is at least one American that is not |
| afraid to show his contempt for law
| breaking foreigners
Better be careful" said James; *'the
men have been on strike for several |
weeks, and are dangerous
"Bah!" answered his brother. Think
I'm afraid Of those galoots? I believe
| in upholding the right of every man
| working for whom and how much he
| pleases.'
| Yes, that is true" said James; "but
there Is no reason for you taking the
| place Of striker. You, are we'll fixed,
! and will only get yourself into trouble
| by carrying out your Intention"
Il don't care,' he said; II am going
| to see the foreman, and will offer him
| myservices."
"All right" answered James; "but
| look out for your skim. -
Young Bill, with an air of deter
mination sustained by: an intense pat
! riotism, wendell his way through the
! streets of the village to where the
! works were located. AS he approach
| ed the entrance he was ,accosted by
| little man in jeans, wearing broken
| hat and: smoking q clay pipe, who re-.
spectfully told him that vas
lin progress. -, - < p: ,S:;ses
/ t:*What are you .on strike for pr asked
:EBin.
i 1--WE are on strike,' answered the
i little picket because we refused to
!: consent to a reduction of: wages"
4 "And how must were you getting
before the strike?' asked Bill.
I'VE were paid $3.50 day, and
they wanted to reduce our pay 10 per
cent. We could not consent to this,
i and the union held a meeting, and af-
! ter debating the matter for several
hours we concluded that we could not
accept the reduction"
"ITm!" said Bill. And did you i'm
mediately call a striker -;
, ooh, MOI" answered the little man.
I'VE appointed a committee to see the
management and point out to them
that we could not afford the reduc-
ton, as the price of house rent and
provisions had increased Is per cent
since last year; and that our families
would have to go without some Of the
necessaries Of life if we consented to
such a large reduction in our pay'
''And what did the management
lsay?" asked Bill.
"They would not listen to U.S. We
offered to compromise. but they would
not hear of it," the little fellow an
, swered.
; ''Well," said Bill, land could you no,
get along comfortably even if your
wages were reduced 10 per cent?? You
foreigners can live cheap"
The little picket drew himself up to
his full height and said: "
81 beg your pardon; me and my
brothers are not foreigners;. We were
all born in the United States"
"But, according to the papers," said
Bill, YOU are aliens, trying to abridge
American sliberty and a citizens right
to work." ~,,~','
''The' papers lie," the picket retorted
1--WE. interfere with no mans liberty
We are simply exercising our rights
by saying that we refuse to work fol
starvation wages that. the. unfeeline
employer offers u.s.
But, you KNOW said Bill, "the, law
says you have no right to stp Other
men from taking your places" 81
1--WE are not stopping any one from
taking our places answered the
picket. '"All. that we ask, Of those
! that, like yourself, think. our employ.
ers treated us like :millionaires, is tt
abstain, from work till the manage.
ment see fit to recognize the +jlstic,
- and truth Of our contention VII q =:
And III do not to work in you,
:. place." said Bill, will you, and you
!; rbrothers, when you have !. won thu
strike, take me into. the union, and tr!
s: and get me job ?'@>*% qiE .: Il ss} vi. $ y y
I'll & Most assuredlY We will;''' answere,
the little. picket. q + I'll ,=...< : ..'S
Are: you, married g demanded Bill
I; Eyes" said the striker; 'I have
wife and five s. & s>3.. #.s . 555
Any of~ them 80: to- work 2" he asked
No., answered the picket; III one Il
i'd the hospital, anot Their IS down witt
the fever and a third is@ q crippl 3. ',1 Il
And do you y keep any servants?
lsasked patriotic Bill. u
z# The picket 5s sIl1i and 81 replied
q Even when 81 rking ! gularIr nysWag
are hardly suffi Client y oIs payef or rem,
elothillE and food holat nv payinl
z7SaII any .n,onsy inthes bank
then
IzH apiskst