The Harris-Ingram Experiment

tion thirty miles out of Harrisville, and into his car came the son of James Ingram, George Ingram who was now superintendent of the Harrisville Iron & Ste

im a brief history of the troubles up to the time of his leaving Harrisville. He told how the manager aided by the company's general counsel, Mr. Webster, had used every possible argument with the workingmen's committee; that a statement even had been submitted, showing that very small or practically no profits had resulted from recent contra

ngram sat facing his employer, watching the emotions of a strong man, and not then daring to offer any

d shoulders, short thick neck, and strong arms developed at the anvil. His superintendent fr

carriage, and immediately drove to the general offices of the Harrisville Iron & Steel Co. The directors of the c

ctors, and then the meeting was resumed, Harris acting as chairman of the board. Colonel Harr

u. Four years ago a similar trouble perplexed our company, and our failure then to act decisively resulted in prolonging the discontent among our employees. Their purposes are as apparent t

ains and wealth again acquired control, and they always will control. To yield to our employees the privilege of fixing their own wages, and a voice in directing the affairs of our com

they yearly levy taxes, then we will place our interests beneath a flag that can and will give ample prote

s the owner of five-sixths of the stock of the company. He then asked Mr. Webster their general

the laws of his country, especially in corporation laws. Holding a sheet of paper in his hands he read, "The Harrisville Iron & Steel Company

ted that a petition be drawn and immediately sent to the mayor of th

ute his orders, though he did not believe in harsh measures. Harris presented the petition to the mayor, who hastily examined it. Bands of music were now audible on the street, a

"No! you and your friends must stay here and meet a committee of

ct them to influence your employees to keep the peace, to aid in protecting your property, to disperse

reservation of peace and lives in our midst. You are the city's executive officer. The payment annually by our corporatio

ief of police. "Send at once a captain and twenty-five policemen i

ldings. Thousands of workmen crowded the pavement from curb to curb. The vast cr

e the demands of the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers of America?" The reply of the company was, "No!"

believed that he had actually set sail for Europe. The committee unfortunately was a radical one, and did not represent the average thoughtful and conservativ

ou requested, and you see that our committee is increased by several thousand workingmen on the street

gmen move my heart. If I were able it would give me pleasure first to ask you all to partake of a good meal, for more satisfactory business is usuall

ned his spirit and softened his voice, so that he spoke briefly and kindly to the committee, repeating, however, what his manager had told the commit

to the anxious thousands below, the employees of the Harrisville Iron & Steel Co. slowly returned to their homes. The mayor ordered

e mayor said, "Well, Colonel Ha

conservative views, dares in his lodge to suggest peaceful measures, an agitator rises at once in indignation and demands that traitors to the cause of labor be expelled. This throttles freedom of action in many labor unions, so that of

advice is safest to follow. The greatest need to-day in most of our labor organizations is wi

f intelligent capital. This is especially true in the United States, where under wise laws

; either blade without the other is useless, and the two blades are useless unless the rivet is in place. Confidence is to capital and labor what the rivet is to the two blades. The des

g journey to the Pacific Coast. Colonel Harris met his daughter and Mr. Hugh Searles at the station, the latter, under the circumstances, being t

ant would be started again. Mr. Searles decided next morning that after a short ride through Harrisville he would continue his journey thro

out six months, if so desired by Colonel Harris, otherwise he would complete