Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-17
BY S. R. CROCKETT

steam pipes. illegally placed, nthese
that are"
"Has not that all ready been done
to the satisfaction of His Majesty's
Inspectors
May be-" said vic sourly, "but not
to my satisfaction"
DO you set yourself up as knowing
better than the men appointed for the
purpose by the government" demand
ed Mr.. Jacob Romer. And at this time
the three plucked up heart. They
knew that Vic was treading upon dan
gerous ground. Mr. Romer was
great man for the letter of the law
when it could be read in his own ia
vor.
The situation is this said Vic
Morris. who could not keep a certain
iron dogmatism out of his voice. no
matter to who he was speaking;
"the men have a right to a second
exit"
But" interrupted. Kahn and Nc
Kill. speaking both at the same mo-
ment, none Of our pits are fiery. And
besides was conform to every legal
regulation
The owner, throned in the sole
chair which had escaped the fire. nod.
ded approval Kahn aud his friends
felt that the battle was won.
The men have right to an acces-
sible second exit Vic Morris re.
peated, with greater fir1nness than
ever. II am in possession of copies of
the papers In which one of my prede
cessors. Mr. Job Henderson, asked
again and again that the second exits
should be completed. l have also a
copy Of his resignation when his wish
was not complied with. I know that
all work was stopped on those exits
so soon as he was out Of the yard. It
has never been resumed, in spite Of
my representations. believe, sir,
that the loss you have suffered Is part
ly. If not wholly, due to the mems
feelings on that subject feelings
which have some just foundation,
which have not been allowed vent,
and SO have taken the wrong turning"
$50 you make yourself the apologist
,of incendiaries. Mr. Morris!" cried
Jacob Romer. suddenly humping his
hand on the table
The others murmured: Revolution
ary!" Anarchist" "Wolf in sleeps
clothing according to their sever
contribution of Mr.. Hector McKin.
81 have nothing to do with incendi-
aries" said Vic, firmly; "but try to
understand cause and effect; I en-
deavor to earn the wages you pay men
and to find out right and wrong
II thought you expressed yourself
as willing to make yourself RESPONSE
bile for the conduct of the mem"
sneered James Kahn.
"In the pits, yes" said Vic steadily,
land if their just representations are
attended to l have then no fear. Be
sides. l know how the government in
spection Is slurred over here. I know
to whom the business was committed.
| know how the matter was arranged"
"Then you know more than I do,
MI Norris said Jacob Rome 'for
this is the first ever heard of any
arrangement Let me hear all you
know"
It was now the turn of the three
allies to move uneasily.
When Job Henderson wrote out his
resignation he did it painfully for.
unlike me, who at a pinch can always
WELD a pick. he was man with a
large family 1t cost him something to
do right But he would not consent to
play with the lives OF men One of
your managers sitting there laughed
and said: Risk To the lives of men
well. Job Henderson, don't We pay
them for taking that risk? Don't they
know the bargain as we'll as we?
81 agree with that said Jacob Ro
mer. II have no sympathy with cant
And at this the Triplice of Oppres
sion smiled with recovered spirits.
With cant. no; I. as little" VIC
Morris continued; but with your new
engineer began the cutting down OF
the working expenses. the filling III
of the existing exits with steam pipes
SO that no man could go up or down -
: no. not for fifty fathoms and al
that the profits might be increased ;
And beg you will tell me- inter
, rupted Jacob Romer, FOR what other
purpose l pay you salary than thai
you should have my interests al
heart and increase my profits? DO 20,
, expect these idle pitmen would do as
| much of their own accord?"
t Sir said Vic Morris, 81 think thai
: your balance sheet since my ariva