CHAPTER XIII.
THE STRIKE.
"I do not see how we can do differently. It is simply a choice between shutting down the mills altogether or reducing the wages of the help. For the sake of the employés we have chosen the latter alternative. The whole board of directors is agreed in this, so you will please see that proper notice is given. Make the time August first." It was Mr. James Lawton, the president of the Black Forge Mills corporation, who spoke, and then he went slowly from the mill office to his waiting carriage.
"Yes; of course," replied Mr. Bacon, the superintendent of the mills, following the first-named gentleman out on the sidewalk, "I do not see what else can be done, but—" and he dropped his voice so that the driver of the carriage should not hear him—"I fear there will be serious trouble. Ever since there have been rumors of this reduction things here have been in a state of ferment. Hyde, Blake, Willis, and some of the other department overseers have been talking to the help, and many of them have already gotten the notion that they are misused. This reduction of their wages may prove to be the last straw, and the help may go out in a bunch."
"Well, we shall know what to do then," remarked Mr. Lawton, dryly. "If the help cannot see that a half loaf is better than no loaf, they must go without any bread, so far as we are concerned. For myself, were it not for the suffering it must bring to these families, I would prefer to shut down at once." And entering the carriage he was driven rapidly away.
It was early in the month of July. The great business depression which had for some months been carrying havoc all over the land had now reached Afton. Manufacturer after manufacturer had already failed, and for several months the Black Forge Mills had been run at a heavy loss. The directors, all of them kind-hearted, Christian men, had done their best to stem the adverse tide, and, for the sake of their employés, to keep the mills running on full time and at full pay. But the time had at last come when one of two things must be done: the mills must be shut down, or else the cost of running them must be reduced. Thinking only of the help, who could ill afford to be without employment, they had, the night previous to the opening of this chapter, decided upon the reduction of wages which Mr. Lawton had just announced to Mr. Bacon.
The directors knew that their decision would create much dissatisfaction, but they had hoped that a fair and candid statement of the condition of the mills, and a direct appeal to the good sense of the help to accept smaller wages, rather than no wages at all, would prevent any serious trouble. But they overestimated the good judgment of their employés, and forgot how easily a few hot-headed leaders could transform a dissatisfied people into a frenzied mob.
A few days later, following out the instructions he had received, Mr. Bacon caused the following notice to be conspicuously displayed about the mill premises:
IMPORTANT NOTICE.For six months the Black Forge Mills have been run at a serious loss to the corporation, and at last the directors have been forced to one of two issues: Closing the mills, or reducing the expenses.For some time the board has hesitated as to which of these measures it would be the wiser to adopt. So far as the interests of the corporation are concerned, it would be better to shut down the mills at once; for the employés, however, it is certainly better that the mills should continue to run, even though they should receive less compensation for their work. This latter consideration has led the directors to finally decide to keep the mills running. But in order to do so they are compelled to announce that on and after August 1 there will be the following reductions on the present wages:A ten per cent. reduction on all wages of one dollar and under.A fifteen per cent. reduction on all wages over one dollar and under two dollars.A twenty per cent. reduction on all wages of two dollars and over.At the same time, they assure all who labor for the corporation that, the moment the present financial depression is over, there will be an immediate return to the present rate of wages.Per order ofThe Directors.
IMPORTANT NOTICE.
For six months the Black Forge Mills have been run at a serious loss to the corporation, and at last the directors have been forced to one of two issues: Closing the mills, or reducing the expenses.
For some time the board has hesitated as to which of these measures it would be the wiser to adopt. So far as the interests of the corporation are concerned, it would be better to shut down the mills at once; for the employés, however, it is certainly better that the mills should continue to run, even though they should receive less compensation for their work. This latter consideration has led the directors to finally decide to keep the mills running. But in order to do so they are compelled to announce that on and after August 1 there will be the following reductions on the present wages:
A ten per cent. reduction on all wages of one dollar and under.
A fifteen per cent. reduction on all wages over one dollar and under two dollars.
A twenty per cent. reduction on all wages of two dollars and over.
At the same time, they assure all who labor for the corporation that, the moment the present financial depression is over, there will be an immediate return to the present rate of wages.
Per order ofThe Directors.
"That's all gammon—hey, George?" asked a great strapping fellow, named Blake, of George Branford, as he passed him in the mill, pointing, as he spoke, to one of the notices which was posted near them.
"I hardly think so," replied George, good-naturedly; "we all know that the times are hard. Half of the up-town mills are already shut down, and I have been fearing something of that kind might happen here. For myself I am thankful it is nothing worse than this."
"Get out!" exclaimed the man, angrily; "any one but a fool can see this is only done to hoodwink us into a complete submission to their wishes. I for one am tired of being ground under the heel of a soulless corporation."
"You have a right to leave any time, I believe," George quietly answered. "No one compels you to work here. The corporation tells you what they can afford to give for your work; you may take it or not as you choose. I have faith in the statement of the directors. They are all Christian men, and I don't believe they intend to grind us under their heels. Rather, I believe, did we know the whole truth, we should find that they, even with this reduction in our wages, will sacrifice somewhat to keep us in work."
"Oh, yes; I remember now, we are a Christian, too," said his companion, with a sneer; "and, of course, we must stand up for our brother Christians, even when they grind us to death."
"I have not been ground to death as yet," went on George, ignoring the thrust at his religious faith, "nor do I believe the corporation intends to bring me to that tragic fate. If we refuse to accept this reduction, the mills will stop, and we shall be worse off than we would be on the small pay."
"No, we won't," replied Blake, eagerly. "Don't you see if we all agree in this thing, we shall force the corporation to keep right on at the present rate of wages? All we want to do is just to stand by each other, and we can have our own way in this thing."
"No, I don't see it," answered George, shortly, "and you can count me out of any such arrangement." Then he resumed his work.
He and a few others in the mill who thought as he did about the proposed reduction soon found themselves, however, entirely ignored by the rest of their associates; and it was speedily evident that some movement was being agitated of which they could only conjecture. Knots of men gathered here and there at the close of each day's work, and talked earnestly, often excitedly together. Men lingered longer at the saloons, and drank oftener from their cups, while faces grew dark and sullen at each new view of the notices posted so conspicuously around them.
Mr. Bacon quickly discerned these changes, and felt sure that trouble was coming. As rapidly as possible, but quietly, lest his purpose be suspected, and the open rupture between himself and the help be hastened, he brought the affairs of the mills into a condition for an immediate closing.
This came, as he had anticipated, on the first morning of August. Going down to his office at an earlier hour than usual, he found the mills deserted. The great engine was motionless; not a piece of machinery manifested life; it was like a Sunday in the vast shops and yards; while on the street corners and about the neighboring saloons were groups of noisy, insolent men, who were evidently waiting for his coming.
Taking in the situation at a glance, Mr. Bacon entered his office, to find his bookkeepers and about a dozen of non-striking men, anxiously watching the outside throng.
"I want some one to help close and fasten up the buildings and yards," he said, promptly and resolutely. "Those of you who may fear to compromise yourselves with your companions are at liberty to retire. On the other hand, those of you who are willing to assist me, shall be well paid for your trouble. Who now will volunteer?"
Every man stepped forward.
Rapidly Mr. Bacon issued his orders. "Go out of the back door of the office, and swing to the gates, and bar them in place. Then scatter among the buildings, fastening down the windows, lowering the shutters, and locking the doors. While you are doing that, I will hold the angry crowd at bay in front of the office. As soon as you have finished your work come back here, for I may need you." And as the men hastened away to do his bidding, he fearlessly threw open the front door of the office, and stepped calmly out to meet the crowd of excited men, who were moving down toward him.
They grew less turbulent as they drew near, and found the yard gates closed, and the superintendent on the office steps, picking his teeth with the utmost unconcern, and looking down unflinchingly into their excited faces. He certainly was not afraid of them, and their oaths, and shouts, as they came on, had failed to intimidate him in the least. His coolness and bravery had a visible effect upon them, and they became silent as he pleasantly remarked:
"You seem unduly excited this morning, my friends; may I inquire what your trouble is?"
Hyde, the leader of the crowd, a man of almost giant size, stepped out from the others a few paces, and insolently answered:
"We've come to demand what is our right, and we propose to have it peaceably if we can, but forcibly if we must."
"What is your right?" asked Mr. Bacon, calmly.
"That there be no reduction in our wages whatever," answered the fellow, boldly; "that we be allowed to return to our work at old rates."
"And suppose we refuse, what then?" inquired Mr. Bacon, with some show of interest in his tones.
The silence that followed was prolonged and oppressive in its intensity. Hyde evidently was nonplussed at the way he and his followers were received. Mr. Bacon had, however, asked a fair question, and he was waiting patiently for an answer.
Hyde was too keen-witted to make any threat, and thus render himself liable to an immediate arrest.
"We claim this as our right, and intend to maintain it to the end," he finally replied. "We shall refuse to go to work until our demand is granted." And a murmur of approval could be heard among his followers.
"My good fellows," said Mr. Bacon, in clear, ringing tones, "you have entirely misunderstood the attitude of the Black Forge Mills corporation toward you. The reduction in your wages which was to go into effect to-day was made not because we desired to make it, but because we could not prevent it. For six months the corporation has gone behind at the rate of four thousand dollars a month. The reduction we propose would save us but three thousand; but that you might have work, the corporation was willing to loose the one thousand each month. They much prefer to close the mills, but for your sakes took this way to keep them open. Your persistency in your demand will only force upon them the other alternative. From this hour, unless you yield, the Black Forge Mills will be closed; when they will open again, I cannot say. Think well, then, before you persist in your unreasonable demand. If, however, this should be your decision, we shall to-morrow be ready to pay the wages due you in full. I am also instructed by the directors to announce that you may occupy your homes, free of rent, until October 1st. This is the best we can do for you under the circumstances."
There was a resoluteness about Mr. Bacon that carried conviction with his utterances, and the leaders of the strike consulted together as to their next move. While they were in consultation, Mr. Bacon stepped back into the office, to which his small band of helpers had already returned. They announced everything as secure, and gave him the keys to the buildings and yards. "Please wait until I can dismiss my visitors," he remarked, somewhat dryly, "then I have further work for some of you."
He was now loudly called for by the crowd, and went boldly out to meet it.
"Mr. Bacon," said the leader, more respectfully than he had yet spoken, "we have no doubt of your sincerity, and we know that you are simply acting in accordance with your instructions, but we have decided to make our appeal directly to Mr. Lawton himself."
"That is your privilege," replied Mr. Bacon, kindly; "but let me suggest that you send a committee to wait upon him, instead of going with your present numbers."
But the crowd refused his advice, and moved off in a body toward Mr. Lawton's residence. There was telegraphic communication between the office and town, and Mr. Bacon, with characteristic promptness, sent a message to both Mr. Lawton and the captain of the police. When, then, the strikers reached Prospect Avenue, on which Mr. Lawton resided, they found their progress checked by a squad of armed policemen, and only a delegation from the throng was permitted to pass on to an interview with the gentleman they sought. A half hour later, completely baffled in securing any concessions from the president of the corporation until he had consulted with his directors, they returned to their waiting companions, and, angry and sullen, the mob slowly dispersed.
Meanwhile, Mr. Bacon had placed his faithful allies in charge of the mill property, and driven off up town. A directors' meeting had been called at ten o'clock that morning in anticipation of this very trouble with the help. The meeting was a long one, for the problem the directors tried to solve was how to still conciliate the employés, and arrange for their best interests. The decision finally was to attempt a compromise with the strikers by lessening the per cent. of reduction. An extra force of police was, however, secured as a precautionary measure, and sent down to the Forge to protect the mill property, and to keep the peace until the compromise was effected.
All attempts at a compromise on the part of the directors during the long weeks that followed, were, however, unsuccessful. The help, inspired by a few hot-headed leaders, who pointed out to them that these concessions on the part of the corporation were a sign of its yielding, strenuously demanded full pay before they would return to work. It now seemed probable that the mills would remain shut down for an indefinite period.
But when October came, Hyde, and Blake, and Willis, and some of the other instigators of the strike suddenly left the Forge, apparently for new places of labor. The mill corporation, therefore, ventured to put its property into a condition for starting, and placards announced that on the first of November work would be given all who were willing to accept the reduced wages. No sooner were these notices out, however, than Hyde and Blake re-appeared at the Forge, and a few days later huge posters were stuck up on every side, threatening all who accepted the offer of the mill corporation. It became evident, therefore, that the mills could not be re-started on the plan proposed, without great risk to both property and life; but as the work of putting the mills in readiness went steadily forward, it seemed probable that the corporation would take that risk.