The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1914-11-06

wouldn't It be strange" he went
on musingly. III through Quinby-the
philanthropist!-I've found my big
idea?" 'e~
"Yes." He forgot that no Richard
Courtney had ever defined 1t for her.
.T'll probably fail In this wrangle But
after that-why not?-the happy city.
and in Bethel. The things getting into
my blood. Or am /, after all, the one
who is mad?"
II she was white, he laid 1t to weari-
ness. "If you are. love your mad
ness"
A silence. When she broke 1t he.
absorbed In the train of thoughts set
in motion by mention Of the unbuilt
city, did not catch the odd strained
note in the words.
"Then you think I'd better take the
position?" -
"Ah!" He came back remorsefully
to the subject. "Of course, you must
take it."
Even from Quinby?"
| However 1t comes, you're fitted for
1t. You've earned it."
But" she insisted quietly, 'I'd have
to live at the hospital. I'd have no
excuse for keeping this apartment"
"Oh. no, surely not! You mustn't
give 1t up. I need you. Kazia-these
hours" Alarm had driven all but
love-he still called it love-from his
heart for the moment. He leaned over
and caught her to him.
| mot at once, perhaps" she muir.
INJURED weakly. II could come here
sometimes-until the lease expires"
He laughed. do you think love Is
determined by landlords contract?"
mot by that" With little gasp
ing cry she reached up and chung to
him.
During the last days Of the negotia-
tions Mark almost hoped the strike
could be averted. Then men, listen
ing to his persuasions, agreed to &C.
cept a merely nominal increase in the
wage scale. But the agreement must
be signed, not by the men as individ-
uals, but by the union for them; from
that stand the young organization, its
very life at stake, would not be moved.
Three men were in Henley's Office
on that last night before the decision
was announced. One had just made
his final plea for the compromise.
Henley shook his head firmly. Il
will not recognize the union"
But they ask SO little"
Both glanced at the other man. tall
stately figure. pacing. hands clasped
behind his back. up and down the
room. A troubled despairing frown
roughened the lofty brow.
I'm looking ahead" Henley replied.
Labor organizations never go back.
unless you catch 'em young and kill
'em off. Recognize them now and
three years hence they'll demand a
raised scale. Next, it will be the closed
shop. Then another raise, and SO on.
Well be running our mills for the ben
eft of men who have no stake In them.
never knowing when they'll be after
US with new outrageous demands. I
will not have It" Henley spoke with
feeling.
The pacing figure stopped. looking
at Mark. What have you to say to
that?"
II say, the men are desperate.
They'll stop at nothing to win the
strike. It will cost US millions"
Cheaper now than ever" Henley
interrupted.
II say" Mark went on, this indus
try, this company, can afford to grant
any demands labor will ever make.
And there's such thing as humanity.
If that isn't enough" He paused.
looking steadily at Quinby. "If that
isn't enough, say the public is on the
mems side and it hasn't forgotten the
Siamese twins of production and other
beautiful sentiments publicly uttered
by certain famous philanthropist."
Quinby groaned and resumed his
anxious pacing. But he was halted by
Henley's next words.
"You had a visit from some men in
New York last week."
How do you known" Quinby was
visibly startled.
Il advised them to see you," Henley
rejoined. They're men of power They
own newspapers. They can make and
unmake men and regulations. They
can destroy you as easily as they
would a corner grocer. They're inter-
ested in the future Of STEEL They're
more interested. as every controller
of property must be, in the fight to
stamp out this epidemic of labor agi.
tation. remind you, 1t isn't safe to
disregard their advice"
What interest have they in my rep
utation?"
"Humph! They think as I do
damn your reputation"
Quinby started, glared. His tongue
fumbled vainly for words to answer
this astounding lese-majesty. He took
a step toward Henley, menacingly.
"Humph!" Henley grunted again.
You can save your wind. I'm not
afraid of you Just now. And / won't
let this company be crippled by CIV
ing in to the union. The men who saw
you won't permit 1t either-without
furnishing"
Il suppose you think they can keep
you In this company, too?"
NO." Henley answered steadily.
"Retween you and me they won't in
terfere. But between you and them
between your expensive reputation and
their Interestingly will interfere. The
labor unions are your common enemy.
II you let them get footnold here,
you may as well lie down and die.