He was thunderstruck.
What did the demand foreshadow? Was a strike brewing? The men had appeared perfectly satisfied with the working conditions at the tanneries. Wages were fairly high and the factories conformed to every requirement of the Health and Labor Laws.
He touched a bell.
“Ask Tyler to step here,” said he, frowning.
Mr. Tyler entered hastily.
“What’s all this, Tyler?” demanded his chief. “I hear the men want to see me.”
“I know nothing about it, sir. They’ve kept their own council. If they have a grievance they have not told me.”
“No labor agitators have been in town recently?”
“Not to my knowledge, Mr. Coddington.”
“That will do.”