“That's not the question. When Union men strike we must have the Non-Union men to fill their places; but this bill says the Non-Union man shan't work.”
“It says the Union man may persuade him, peacefully, not to work.”
“We all know what that means. If he does work, he will be called a 'scab' and his family will be ostracized in every possible way.”
“It is hard to draw the line,” said the governor. “You say, or imply, that every man has a right to work for whoever will employ him. Granted. But do you always give him work when he wants it? Do you pay him what he asks, or do you not fix the rate of wage? You must realize the fact that collective bargaining has superseded dealing with the individual.”
“Some of us do not allow that,” said Mr. Acton.
“I know it, and that causes the difficulty. Your relations with your employees should be based upon trade agreements, legalized and strongly adhered to by both sides.”
“I have just come from a meeting of leading manufacturers,” said Mr. Acton, “and they wished me to express to you their urgent request, I may say solicitation, that you will veto this bill.”
After Mr. Acton's departure, Quincy rang for his secretary, to whom he delivered the papers containing his official decisions.
Mr. Williams was renominated for the position that he had so long and so ably filled.
As members of “The Industrial Expansion Commission” nine manufacturers were named, one for each of the leading industries of the State, chosen independent of known or presumed political affiliations; Mr. Collingwood's name was not among them.