The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-09-20

ctal condition OF this company Woulu
be to give our competitors points OF
which they might take advantage to
drive us out of business. Indeed, to
grant what the men ask or give rea-
son why it is refused would kill the
goose that lays their golden egg
This was not satisfactory to Miss
Withers, and she told Bryan so. at the
same time reproaching him for refus-
ing to help his former fellow laborers.
Upon this he informed her that he had
nothing further to say on the subject.
which statement she could not but
consider a dismissal.
The strike continued. the mills were
idle. the operatives suffered. One day
Mary Boyd, one of the hands. girl of
twenty, visited Bryan in his office and
said to him:
"Mr. Bryan, some of the children
are literally starving. If the strike is
not soon ended there will be MANY
deaths among them"
"If I grant the demands" replied
the general manager, II shall be doing
the operatives an injury"
"Why SOP
II have refused to answer that queS
ton to others, but l will answer it to
you on your promise not to reveal it.
II promise"
Every well. We are barely making
the dividends, and so far as we can
look ahead will run behind on the
next seasons manufactures. and there
will be no dividends at all. A trust
has been formed to produce our goods,
and their policy is to shut down half
Of the mills they can get into it. They
are now scheming to get possession of
these works, and as soon as they do
will discharge every operative Parties
who hold the majority of the stock
are debating whether to sell the con
troll to the trust or hold on. hoping for
a change In the market for our manu-
features. If they sell the wages you
have all been getting will be lost to
you. Is it not better to keep what you
have than get little more for time,
then lose the whole?"
II understand" said Mary, but since
you have sealed my lips what am l
to dor
"Only one thing is practicable, tell
the leaders that you have seen me,
that you have confidence l am doing
the best for the operatives as well as
for the company"
'They will not believe me. At any
rate they will not withdraw their de.
mands."
they will believe anything you say
to them; that is they will believe that
you have confidence in me-"
IF you could tell them what you
have told me, they would withdraw
their demands for the present"
II could not tell them all. and those
who have engineered this matter d.
not happen to have my confidence
They would consider what told them
a bluff and would not keep the secret "
| Bryan went to the safe, opened it.
and took out package of bank bills
''Take this" he said, land make II
go as far as you can in relieving dis
tress, but do not tell that it comes
from me-
II WISH" said Mary, "that'they knew
you as well as 1. They would do any
thing you ask"
Il believe they will do anything you
ask"
"Why do you say that?'
Because they know you to be a
noble girl"
Whether there was something in the
tone Of voice in which these words
were spoken or the look that accom-
panied them a slight color came tc
Mary's cheek. She was a child when
Bryan was passing from the work.
mans bench to the mahogany desk, but
she had known him in both spheres
and he had been her idol. Without
another word she left him, resolved tc
make a strong effort to utilize her per
sonal influence over the men to induce
them to withdraw, for a time at least
demands that would deprive them OF
ability to make living through the
Pollard Manufacturing company.
She began at once, ignoring the lead
ers of the strike, making her appeal tC
certain conservative persons whom
she knew to be friendly to the genera
superintendent. She told them that hi
had convinced her that In refusing
their demands he was acting in theil
best interest. She begged them to cal
Off the strike and wait for NOR,
favorable opportunity to make anothe
demand, assuring them that when i
was best he would favor them.
The persons to whom she appealed
talked with others, and they with 9th
ers. Without their leaders sanction the,
called meeting, and Mary addressed
them, repeating to the many what sh
had said to the few. When she hat
finished there was a protracted talk
the operatives gathering In groups an,
debating whether, first, to trust tn
speaker. and, second, the man she rep
resented. Before the final adjourn
ment the meeting was called to orde
and a resolution was offered.
Whereas. we have implicit trust in on
former fellow workman. John Bryan, an
: our companion. Mary Boyd. therefore re
solved that We who constitute this meet
ing return to work at once.