The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1905-03-23
CHAPTER XVI.


the boss Of this place" Mr.. McMan-
mis- leaned against one Of the pillars
of the little lecture-room and addressed
his audience in a conversational tone
of voice. IL don't know Mr. Kennard,
but from what I hear, he's all boss
should be. But that amt the point,
boys. You haven't got any insurance
on his life, suppose, and you don't
hold a written guaranty that he's go
ing to continue in business forever.
What's the use of organization when
everything's lovely, you say? TO keep
1t so, I answer. In time Of peace pre-
pare for war. You've had an organiza-
tion here for years, but you've let 1t
60 to seed because things were going
your way. Now what want you to do
is to revive 1t, so in case you need some
backing you'll know where to look for
It,"
AN where'll thot be?"
Pat Mullins voice doomed the ques-
tion from the rear benches SO quick
ly that his pipe was in his mouth again
before the nearest heads turned to
stare at him.
Where will that be? At the Gen.
trail association, Of course. The Ques-
tion shows where you'd be at in case
of trouble. That man don't even know
what power is back Of the various
lodges, and I bet there's lots Of other
things he doesn't know"
"Ye're roight. OF don't know yur
salary"
A laugh greeted this retort, but Nc.
Mannis Joined in it as he answered.
well, you would know II you looked
after your own interest more, and you
can have something to say about 1t,
too, If you find don't earn 1t. What
we've got to talk about now is whether
it's better to have good treatment for
to-day and trust to the future, or Mr..
Kennard for to-day and Trusts for to-
morrow"
A ripple Of applause from the front
benches followed this period, and Nc
Mannis paused as the sound Of en-
couragement became more general.
Let me tell you something about
what we've DONE" he continued. "Up
at Farjean's they had piece-work down
to such fine point. there wasn't a
man or woman earning full days
pay. We changed that. At the Boil
derson works they made half their
output with apprentices, and nobody
ever knew It till we took look in.
Sanger leased his factories to the Ed
dlestone company, and the first San
gers men heard OF 1t was when they
got their walking papers, and new
lot of Eddlestone's people was ready
to march in and take their places.
don't say there's any such games be-
ing played here, but did hear one
thing this evening which sort of made
me cock my ears"
McMannis paused for an instant and
glanced across the smoky room to
make sure that he had aroused the Gu
riosity of his auditors and was hold
ing their attention.
II heard" he continued slowly, "of a
man by the name of Ben Homans be-
Ing bounced for suggesting to Mr.. Ken
nard that the farriers' work be done
by union men,"
The audience looked at one another
inquiringly, but for few moments no
one spoke.
II don't believe it," muttered Ker-
rigan, on the second bench; "the boss
don't care whether we're union men
or not, and I amt heard nothing about
Homans being bounced"
"Woll. have" asserted another
man. Barton paid him of at the whis.
tie not long since"
McMannis smiled
That's what I've been telling you,
he said; you don't know what's going
on. II may be all right and 1t may bt
all wrong, but what I say II. II yot
don't like what's happened after yot
do find out. you can't help yourselves
or each other, unless you're organized
to do 1t. What's that you say?"
He stopped toward q man on tht
front bench who whispered something
and pointed toward the rear door
Then he peered for moment over th'
heads Of the audience, ~ though try
ing to single out some individual.
"A gentleman up here says Mr.. Bel
Homans has Just COME iu." he an
nounced. as he gazed down the room
III 80, I'd like to ask him II he's beel
turned down. and II 70, why"
| There was movement IN the gTouI
LOT men gathered about the door, an