The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1916-09-05

" tAc lIuSt VI uOlu Oh, hoping IOH
q cnange in the market for our manu-
iactures. If they sell the wages you
nave all been getting will be lost to
you. Is 1t not better to keep what you
nave than get little more for time
then lose the whole?"
Il understand" said Mary, .sbut since
you have sealed my lips what am I
to dor
only one thing is practicable. tell
the leaders that you have seen me-
thae you have confidence am doing
the best for the operatives as well as
for the company
''They VIII not believe me, At anv
rate they will not withdraw their de-
mandS."
"They will believe anything you say
to themi 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 do
not happen to have my confidence.
They would consider what told them
a bluff and would not keep the secret. 4"
Bryan went to the safe, opened 1t,
and took out package of bank bills.
Take this" he said, "and make 1t
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 l. They would do any
thing you ask"
Il believe they win 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 slight color came to
Mary's cheek. She was 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 to
make strong effort to utilize her per-
Eonal influence over the men to induce
them to withdraw, for time at least,
demands that would deprive them of
ability to make a living through the
Pollard Manufacturing company.
She began at once, ignoring the lead
ers Of the strike, making her appeal to
certain conservative persons whom
she knew to be friendly to the general
superintendent She told them that he
had convinced her that in refusing
their demands he was acting In their
best interest. She begged them to cab
of the strike and wait for a more
favorable opportunity to make another
demand, assuring them that when II
was best he would favor them.
The persons to whom she appealed
talked with others. and they with 9th
ers. Without their leaders sanction they
called a meeting, and Mary addressed
them, repeating to the many what she
had said to the few. When she had
4 finished there was a protracted talk,
the operatives gathering in groups and
debating whether, first, to trust the
speaker, and, second, the man she rep
resented. Before the final adjourn
ment the meeting was called to order
and resolution was offered:
Whereas, we have implicit trust in our
former fellow workman, John Bryan, and
our companion. Mary Boyd, therefore re-
| solved that we who constitute this meet
| ing return to work at once.
More than half the operatives of the
company were present, and seven
eighths Of them voted to sustain the
resolution. 1t was carried, and the
meeting adjourned with cheers for the
best man and the best woman in the
world. The action of these operatives
influenced the rest. and the strike was
ended.
That was the last strike Of the en-
ployees Of the Pollard Manufacturing
company. One year from that time
John Bryan increased his influence
with them by marrying Mary Boyd,
and on the day Of the wedding a re-
quest for the readjustment of all
wages was granted, resulting in a far
more satisfactory arrangement for
both sides than had ever existed be-
fore.
John Bryan is now president Of the
company.