The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-11-06

among his factory force had argued
that If they received in additional
wages what he had expended on these
innovations he would be doing only
what was Just and proper--in other
words. that he was using money that
belonged to his men to do things that
made 1t appear he was kind and
thoughtful employer.
overton put on his hat and went
into the factory. For the first time in
his career he felt strange there The
men were back ut their work. but they
looked the other way or pretended to
be busy when he approached. When
he passed he knew without looking that
he was being scrutinized. It made him
uncomfortable. He stopped for a mo-
ment to talk with the foreman. But
the foreman spoke in whisper, as II
afraid the men would overhear what
he said, although he said nothing OF
any consequence.
From the factory he went into town
and visited his banker The two men
were in consultation a long time, and
when Overton left the bank his face
was grave. Then Overton went home,
It was Thursday, and he had until
Saturday to give his answer to the men,
but there could be only one answer,
and that was a refusal. Six months
before he had heard mutterings of dis
content. and before tho men could give
voice to their views he had surprised
them by raising all hands 10 per cent,
He felt then that the men We're fully
y 4 D
booming. He had enough orders in
hand to keep every machine employed
at the fullest capacity for many
months. He was prosperous. Times
never were better. But change had
come over the situation. Hardly had
he given out contract for an addition
to the factory than one of those clouds
that come across the business horizon
now and then developed. Orders We're
withdrawn. Collections were slow. and
he had to use SO much money for the
addition to the factory that the banker
suggested he be rather careful, as
money was getting tight.
Overton did not have much appetite
for dinner when he reached home. As
usual he talked over the affairs of the
day with his wife. She tried to cheer
him, but it was no use. He went to
bed early, but he couldn't sleep. Hour
after hour he tossed about thinking
and thinking. 1t was almost daybreak
when at last he slumbered At 4
o'clock be was at the factory. The men
came In and went to their machines,
but there was a spirit OF unrest and
suppressed excitement about the whole
establishment No factory in the coun-
try turned out better work than the
Overton plant He picked his men with
care and never let a tool so out of his
shop unless it was first class. His
men We're the most skilfnl in the trade
and he paid them above the regular
wage scale on that account, but they
never did such poor work as on that
Friday.
When he reached homo that night
Mrs. Overton met him with a beaming
face
John" she said. '1've been studying
all day and 1 studied all last night for
a way out OF the difficulty. | don't
know If l have found 1T, but sit down
and while you are eating I'll explain
1T to you"
He sank YEARLY into his chair and
she began. He did not think much Of
her idea at first. but as she talked he
caught a little of her enthusiasm.
1T is worth trying" he said at last,
and then they discussed her plan in
detail.
There was no sign OF depression
about overton when he went to his Of
flee on Saturday morninS. He didn't
go into the factory or look at the men
at the machines. Instead hnS set tina
office force to working as they hadn't
worked since the visit of the delega-
ton, Typcwriters clicked. pens wers
busy, and before noon dozen mes
sengers We're sent out with bundles OF
letters all addressed to women, The
letters We're directed to the wives. sis.
ters and mothers of the men who work
ed In the plant--to whoever of the
women were concerned most directly in
the welfare of the men, If a man was
single and lived in boarding house
the message went to his landlady. RI
he supported a widowed parent 1t Went
to his mother. Enclosed with each Of
the missives was a silver quarter
Each letter requested the person re.
cetving II to come to the factory al
A p. NJ. or send some Of the women
folk of the family, The quarter was
for car fare, for the factory was QUITE
a way out OF the town 4
The wonlan began to arrive ,,soop
35lit tdiNl 5lt ti-s8s}s :. t.If 81