“Why not?”
“They will take advantage of us. They will dictate and become arbitrary. The Labor Union grows by what it feeds on. It will become an elephant on our hands.”
“Not if they have something better to take its place,” said Salome. “I am fully persuaded that they will meet us half-way, if we give them a union that is better than theirs. Let their union alone for the present.”
“I am with you there,” said Villard. “It devolves upon us to change its character into something that shall be, at least, as helpful as they want to make this one.”
“Next, the ten-hour system,” pursued Salome, who was not yet ready to discuss the improved union. “Certainly there can be no possible objection against granting this clause?”
“Certainly not,” said Burnham, feeling himself appealed to.
“‘The new frames must be taken out and the mules replaced, with a written agreement that no more of the obnoxious machinery shall be added for five years.’ That seems rather arbitrary. How is it, Mr. Villard?”
“It is arbitrary,” he responded. “The frames must be retained. We must be allowed to adopt improved machines and methods, or where shall we be in this age of competition? But I think there will be little trouble with the men, if I am allowed to approach them in the right way. Anyhow, I will try.”
“Do so,” was the reply. “Make them see that improved methods are for their interest as much as for ours. As to the wage-section—were their wages actually cut down?”
“Yes,” replied both men.