MINERS MAKE DEMANDS
"YOU go on about your business. You do not belong with this committee,"
snapped Cavard as the Iron Boy joined them at the entrance to the
superintendent's office, where the meeting was to take place.
"If the superintendent doesn't wish to see me I will leave. You have no
business to give me orders, so attend to your own affairs, if you will
be so good."
The lad slipped in behind the others and stood near the door of the
private office, where, with the others, he was awaiting the arrival of
Mr. Penton. The latter entered very shortly afterwards.
"Well, gentlemen, what can I do for you this evening?" questioned the
executive smilingly.
Cavard cleared his throat, assuming his most suave air.
"In the first place, Mr. Penton, we are a duly authorized committee with
power to wait upon you. This boy Rush is not a member of the committee.
We represent the newly formed union. Will you kindly ask the boy to
withdraw?"
The superintendent elevated his eyebrows in mild surprise.
"Is he not a member of the union?"
"Yes," admitted Cavard with evident reluctance.
"And you are here in the interests of the union?"
"Certainly, sir."
"Then I see no objection to his remaining. If you are here in the
interest, as you say, or in behalf of the men of our own mines, any one
of the other men is free to be present and to hear all that takes place
between us. Rush, sit down, if you wish."
Steve, without showing either triumph or satisfaction in his face,
quietly seated himself against the wall. Cavard's face was dark, but he
made no reply to the superintendent's word in the matter.
"As I already have said, we represent the new union," continued the
Russian. "At a meeting last night certain grievances that have long
existed in the mine--that is, you understand, it is the union speaking,
not myself personally?"
"Oh, certainly. Go on," smiled the superintendent.
"Certain grievances were taken up and discussed. The result of that
discussion was the drawing up of certain demands, which the miners
believe you will not hesitate to grant. It had been understood that
these concessions already had been under consideration by the mine
officials."
"I am not aware that any particular concessions to the miners have been
contemplated. What are your demands?"
"The demands of the union are for an eight-hour day and an increase in
the scale of wages. Neither demand is at all unreasonable----"
"Let me see your papers," interrupted Mr. Penton.
The walking delegate and president handed the paper containing the
miners' demands to the superintendent. Mr. Penton read the document
through quickly, then went over it again.
"These are very radical demands, Mr. Cavard," he said, glancing up at
the walking delegate.
"We think not, sir."
"And in the event of these demands being refused, may I ask what it is
the purpose of the members of the union to do?"
"That is a matter for future consideration. I have no doubt, however,
that a satisfactory arrangement can be made between us."
"What mines are included in the union?"
"All of the mines belonging to this company, both surface and
underground, together with the independent mines on the range. The other
and independent mines have been represented by delegates at the meetings
thus far."
"You say this was decided upon at the meeting last night?"
"Yes, sir."
"And it was a wholly representative meeting?"
"It was, sir. The delegates from the various shafts were on hand, though
many were unable to attend."
"May I say something, sir?" asked Steve.
"Certainly. What is it, Rush?"
"I merely wish to present for your consideration the fact that I
believe the meeting at which these demands were drawn up was not a
representative one. Many of us did not receive our notifications until
this morning."
"That was your own fault," interjected Cavard.
"I beg to differ with you. The notifications advising us that the
meeting was to be held last night were not mailed until midnight last
night, after the meeting had taken place, Mr. Cavard, and you know that
is the truth. It was a 'fixed' meeting and I am willing to go before a
representative gathering of the union and prove that fact."
"I object!" shouted the Duke. "I did not come here to be insulted by a
young loafer like you."
Mr. Penton hammered on the table with his fist.
"Gentlemen, that will do. Mr. Rush is not a loafer. I consider him a
young gentleman and an honest man. If his point is correct, I have but
one thing to say."
Cavard's face worked nervously. He was making a violent effort to
control himself. Mr. Penton was eyeing the man keenly.
"If you can show me that these demands have been approved by a full and
representative gathering of the men in our employ, then I will not only
take your grievances into consideration, but will transmit them to the
officers of the company for their decision. You no doubt know that it is
not within my power to grant such sweeping demands as these. Unless it
is the expression of a majority of the men, I decline to give the matter
any attention whatever."
"Are you going to take the word of an irresponsible boy against that of
a man of experience and recognized standing among the men in your
employ?" almost shouted Cavard, who was rapidly losing his self-control.
"I am of the opinion that Rush's standing is equally as high as your
own. You thought enough of him to make him the secretary of your
organization. As such, he surely should be entitled to attention
and----"
"He is not the secretary of the union. The men fired him out last night.
He was----"
Cavard checked himself suddenly. His face flushed. He had said something
that he had not intended to say at all, but his temper had gotten the
better of him, leading him into an unwitting admission.
Steve Rush grinned sarcastically.
"Is this true, Rush?" demanded the superintendent, turning toward Steve.
"I am told that it is," replied the boy politely. "I have not yet
learned why, but I have a fairly good idea."
"And what do you propose to do about it, my lad?"
"I am going to see to it that the men understand the trick that has been
played on them. I am going to let the majority of them know how they
were fooled as to the meeting. I think they will be rather surprised.
But I beg your pardon; I have said too much."
"I should say you had," muttered Cavard.
"The interview is closed, gentlemen," announced Mr. Penton. "You have my
ultimatum in the matter. When you can come to me properly authorized, I
will give your demands consideration, and not until then. I have nothing
to do with your differences in your organization. I do know, however,
that Mr. Rush is a young man whose word I would take as far as that of
any man I know. Good evening, gentlemen."
The superintendent rose, indicating that the interview need not be
prolonged.
Very much crestfallen, the delegates turned toward the door, followed by
Steve.
"You will hear from us again, Mr. Penton," announced Cavard, speaking
with emotion.
"Very good, sir."
"You young whelp, you'll suffer for this evening's work," raged the
walking delegate when the callers had regained the street. "I'll see to
it that your path isn't one of roses hereafter. I give you fair warning.
I am the master here, and you will find that out to your sorrow."
"It has been my experience," answered Steve, "that men who make the
loudest threats are the least to be feared. Let me tell you, while I
have the opportunity, that the best thing you can do is to carry on the
affairs of the union honestly. Otherwise you will go down, and the union
will go down with you."
Steve turned away. Once more he had defeated the walking delegate and
president of the union by a masterful move.