The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1912-04-13

Il don't look at It that way" de-
clared Mr.. Collins, with an instant
flush in face and tone. 81 would
never stand for a cent of my money
TO go as a bribe to man I couldn't
beat l look at Il this way. They
would have lost out pretty soon any
way, but this man Martin. who Is q
mixture OF genius and fanatic, would
always be dangerous. What We did was
to give him n sort OF subsidy to get
out Of the country. so he couldn't be
around making trouble for us. It's
Just like buying out a troublesome
competitor. Isn't that the way you
regard II, Simonds?"
Exactly" answered Mr.. Simonds.
highmindedly.
There had been crowds In the union
hall before, since the strike began, but
never such q one as that which pressed
and jammed and struggled for admit
lance on Saturday night BY seven
thirty every available space was taken.
The mystery OF Martins disappearance
was still unexplained. At FIVE minutes
to eight McKichnie and Kaufman. An
derson. Bolan and the other members
Of the Executive Committee filed into
the hall from the stage entrance and
NhN thdAAo hpOn Nut
The secretaries were at their desks.
In the center OF the platform was the
chairman's table. Upon II was a glass.
a pitcher and a gavel. Beside IL was a
chair. The chair was empty.
At three minutes to eight Bolan con-
ferred with Anderson, Gerson and
other members OF the Executive Com
mittee. There was a solemn nodding
of heads. Bolan held his watch In his
hand. At one minute OF eight Bolan
extravagantly dropped a halfburned
cigar into a box OF sawdust, spat some
shreds OF tobacco leaf from his mouth,
buttoned his coat, cleared his throat
and passed his hand with a composing
gesture over his features. In the in
terval a shadow appeared 20 pass in
front OF him. An instant later a sharp
blow upon the gavel smote upon his
ears. He looked up to see John Martin
standing at the speakers chair.
The effect OF his appearance was
electrical. II aroused interest and ex-
pectancy. The men had entered the
hall dispirited and gloom-enshrouded
half inclined TO believe John Martin
a traitor. The Executive Committee,
slipping in like defeated warriors. had,
by their demeanor. only previsaged the
defeat which every man felt in his
soul. But now. after an unexplained
absence OF twenty-four hours. had come
John Martin, the man who again and
again since the strike began had re-
versed the current OF fits trend.
He stood there before them. tall and
dignifed. just as he had a score OF
times before. but with a difference.
The marks OF pain and WEAKNESS were
gone. Even that holy shade Of sadness
which had first appeared when his baby
succumbed 20 the effects OF coarse and
improper food in the fourth month OF
the strike was temporarily at least
eclipsed by glow reflected from the
wonderfully brilliant light that was
burning in his dark eyes.
The Executive Committee" he be-
gan, has got report TO make, but I
was 70 say something first"
His voice was deep and steady. with
a growing vibrancy that kindled expec-
tation.
He's leading up to something. "
Hes got something up his sleeve. 4"
IVES comment that began instantly
10 be murmured in different parts OF
the hall. But his next words we're
spoken with profound seriousness
You all got your strike benefits yes
terday. as usual You thought that
money came from the Internatlonais
II didn't I borrowed that money At
the bank on your credit I expect you
10 pay u back. seven dollars from
every man. out OF his nrst weeks
wages"
"Out OF bis FIRST weeks wages" II
sounded. then. as though the men we're
going back 10 work. But Martin hadn't
said 80 yet lie was waiting for the
hrst Idea 20 soak in They sensed II
With deepening solemnity. The Inter.
nationals had cut them OF All that
stood between their long months oi
suffering and the complete collapse OF
the strike was this tall man with the
deeply lined. glowing face and the
burning eyes who vas Just nov begin.
ming 20 speak araln
The men. leaning forward. hung on
he words breathlessiy Their eves
we're fastened on him. the giared
whites cleaning Ike a thousand tiny
. moons about a central Sun The TX
eruiive Con mitiee vas round b. ths
same thra1
And nov Marin was ssving. and
doing hts hrEt 20 oonfrol the eNuitani
. trenor in DE voice. @ ccuErafulafe
you urnn a virfnry
TIE grsaf catherine heard 30 words
in silence stupenef fi~k 9Th fhe sud
den klndiiuF ~ q vast hope. yef hardly
abe 70 believe 90 rars From ~
throat - nan on TIE platform burst
hafartirulafe aerirafe lnnE
mostly. vooallred question fhaf fosfea
like stage uhirpsr ouf over ~
heads ~ the men That the cus
Eno paid his Involuntary tribute 81
10 wonderful uaEnefir psrrounllfv oi
ne sreaksr uho on IRIS fnsfanf a. "a
Erre had taken up fhe souls ~ ail info
hn hands and uas comprrssinr fteu
Until they arhsd vas william Roian
ne deadly eueuy only revealed how
tenee va tis grip
What noian haf Easrei. helpless
lT. upcn- uoufhef "Wtafr
Won have Won ne STRIKE Marfiu
va SAYING The bosses have granted
Everything -errrufhfng z" The even
ness vas ail zone from his voice rs
vibrant tones wsre leapins outward
md upward In magnificent creacenfoa
Everything" he shouted "Fvsrv
hing RecoDHffi0H ~ ns uHtou -
wages '-Hourf p Conditions
Snatching a paper from bic pocket
ne waved " before them Here's ~.
scale he shouted They signed n