The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-02-16

our little talks here--my girls and Land afterward our lips are seal ed" Miss Groves smiled, 8 smile which to Gale was somehow re- pellent. T like to call this room our 'Confi-corner' because 1t is here learn how to know my girls and they learn to know me. I don't believe you've been here before, Gale, have you?"
 "No."
 "Well, we must get acquainted I want to be friends with all the girls in this great mill. All oi them! There are 50 many ways in want them to come to me With want them to some to me with their little secrets and their prob lems and know that I will helL them. You see, love girls so! feel that 1t is great privilege have here. coming in touch with so many young lives. Wonderful young lives! Youth is such a won derful thing, my dear. Don't you think so?"
 "I suppose 1t is," Gale agreed.
 Miss Groves put hand on the girls arm. rOf course 1t Is. There nothing in the world so wonder fui as youth. And you have 1t. You're young. I want you to tell me your problems. my dear.'
 But, Miss Groves"
 "Now, now! Of course you have problems. Everyone has his or her probiems and 1t does us good to talk them over. That's why we have our 'ConH-corner'. Such lovely young girl was here, sitting in the same chair you're sitting in' half an hour ago. She came to me because she wanted advice and gave 1t to her. It seems some oi the girls sho works with have taken up some very dangerous ideas. Dangerous for themselves and for others! They've talked to this girl. tried to make her ,dissat- isficd with conditions in the mill, telling her the workers arc under paid and the hours too long and don't know what all.
 "she didn't know what to do. She heard there was going to be a meeting to organize the mill work CTS in opposition to the company. These other girls insisted she must come to the meeting. She was afraid of what might happen If she didn't go---and of what might hap pen if she did. Night after night she worried about 1t and finally she did the right thing--she came to me. Do you know what told herr
 Gale shook her head.
 q told her to go to the meeting and hear what was said there. I told her the best way she could help these other employees was to let me know what Is going on. Be- cause it's my work to help our girls even when they're In the wrong. But how can I help them unless l know just such things? told her she and I would work together to stamp out this dangerous, un-Amer icnn propaganda. She left me, com pletely treasured. She's taking the right course and knows it."
 Miss Groves looked at Gale and went on in her purring voice, You see how q few words at the right time can mean everything? We aren't going to let employees of this mill stray into dangerous radical ism. We're going to keep our great big family happy and intact. Tell me-" her eyes narrowed "do you know of any such meetings that have been held?"
 Gale thought of Leota Boiler. Leota had said there was going to be c meeting-but not that there had been one.
 No, Miss Groves"
 "Has anyone asked you to join Q group with the idea of opposing ths eompany?' Miss Groves sighed. "Im glad to hear It." she said. 'Of course it's important to know how far this disloyaity has gone. Frankly. l wal worried. I called you in >becaqst knew you were one of our steady reliable employees. I'm sure Iyot und erstand that rebellion of thls sort will demand discipline. The company will be obliged to punish those who defy them. And 1t dis | tresses me because love young people and know that. under. meath, none of them are reafl, wrongheaded. They only make mis. l takes"
 Gale shifted uncomfortably. shs remem bered Clyde Fisher had said Don't waste any time gettini back.' He would be angry becaus' sbe had stayed sy ht1g, And wh, to Mss Groves? How could sh' r,ss s..sa...,..., a,...so. .,act n,