The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1917-07-02
The Power
OF Thought
By WARREN MILLER

John Riggs worked for years in a
safe and lock factory. He was good
workman, but that was a time when
prices of skilled labor were not regu-
lated. as they are now, by means of
coalition, and the firm that John work
ed for was not overgenerous. Year
after year passed and children were
rafting their knives and forks at
Johns table, but his wages were just
the same as when he had no children
at all. John often applied to Mr.. Scalp
ton, the president Of the safe and lock
company, for raise Of salary, and Mr..
Scalpton, fine looking and rather be-.
nevolent appearing old gentleman.
would say:
Were paying you just what we can
at any time get a man to do your work
for, and wen continue to pay you your
wages just as long as you do your
work well. and when you find you can
do better elsewhere we won't object
to your improving your salary by leav-
ing u.s."
John didn't see ahead so far as the
age that was coming, when Mr.. Scalp
toms business would either be merged
with that of other safe builders to
make prices what he wanted them or
when his laborers would band together
to make him pay them such wages as
they might demand. He didn't like the
situation, but he couldn't help it, SO
he worked on and fed and clothed his
children as best he could.
But one day John fell i'll and remain
ed Ill for months. His wages were
stopped, he had no money to pay
doctor, and he saw his children rag
ged and hungry. This was bitter
period for him, but he got well in time
and, going to Mr.. Scalpton, asked to
be permitted to go to work.
"I'm sorry, john" said the gentle
man, "but we were obliged to fill your
place, and now that 1t is filed it would
be an injustice to turn out the man
who fills 1t. Don't you think SO your
SELF"
Maybe" John replied, "but it's
mighty hard. I wish was capital
list like you, Mr. Scalpton. Then If I
got sick my business and my income
would go right on"
That's the difference between an
ability to think and manual labor" re-
piled the safe maker. I'm busy now
and must ask you to excuse me-"
The gentleman had put flea in
Johns ear. He concluded to do lit
tie thinking. He knew more about
safes and locks than Mr.. Scalpton, and
before he had done thinking he had
thought out plan to compel that very
just man to listen to him.
A few days later John called on a
firm that owned Scalpton safe and
told them that he would prove to them
for consideration that their safe was
worthless. He would open 1t without
even any tools. They engaged to pay
his price provided he succeeded. He
stipulated that he was to work alone
and without any watchers. They
agreed to this, locking him in room
with the safe, first having searched
him. John worked In the dark, SO it
would not have been easy to learn his
process even If any one had been pres
ent. He remained in the room an hour,
and when he called and they entered
the safe was open.
They asked John who he was, but
he wouldn't tell, and since he had
done nothing dishonest they couldn't
compel him to tell He pocketed
ten dollar bill and the next day went
to another firm using the same kind
of safe and made $40 more. This he
kept up, doing lucrative business.
Very soon letters began to pour in
to the Scalpton Safe and Lock COM
pany that there was something the
matter with their locks. Each con-
Germ who wrote stated that their Scalp
ton safe clock had been picked by
man who accomplished the feat with
out the use Of tools, but as none of
them could tell how it was done there
was nothing to be said. Then the or
ders for safes made a rapid decline.
The company's business was at
standstill. But when John Riggs heard
that they had begun to discharge their
workmen he walked into the Office Of
Mr.. Scalpton, well dressed and pros
porous looking, for an interview.
"Why, john" said his former en-
ployer, "you have been making mon
ey."
$50 have, Mr.. stapleton."
allow have you done itT'
Following your advice. When saw
you last you told me there was great
difference between thinking and man
ual labor. hired myself out to John
Riggs for, job Of thinking, with good
results"
"WellT'
ave been picking your locks at $40
apiece"
scalpton was astonished. "How do
you do =" he asked.
'That's my secret. Is there any de-
mand for secrets today, Mr.. Scalpton"
"How much do you want for yours?"
give thousand dollars and my old
place at double salary"