H. R. looked at his men. They looked away uneasily. Was this to be their last free meal?
H. R. turned to Andrew Barrett and said in a voice that did not reach the members and therefore increased their uneasiness:
"Barrett, in unionizing these men, thereby making them free sandwiches, I had in mind several things; one of them was the absolute control of the New York papers."
"How?" asked Barrett in utter non-comprehension.
"By organizing my men into a Public Sentiment Corps. Their duty will be to write letters to the newspapers. I figure that one bona-fide letter to each thirteen thousand one hundred and eighty-six circulation creates an irresistible demand. The Evening Post, of course, needs about one to five hundred readers. I think eleven letters will be enough there. Our men already have names, and hereafter they will have permanent addresses."
"And then?"
"I furnish the paper, the stamps, and the literature. The men copy the letters. The newspapers will do the rest. Did you bring the pads and pencils I told you?"
"Yes."
"Pass 'em around, one to each man."
Barrett did so. The men edged away in ill-concealed terror.