I asked him if that was the principle their union was founded on, and
he said, 'Yes,' that the very meaning of their union was the protection of
the weak by the strong and the equalization of earnings among all who do
their best."
We waited for the manufacturer to go on, but he made a dramatic pause at
this point, as if to let it sink into our minds; and he did not speak
until the Altrurian prompted him with the question, "And what did you
finally do?"
"I saw there was only one way out for me, and I told the fellow I did not
think I could do business on that principle. We parted friends, but the
next Saturday I locked them out and smashed their union. They came back,
most of them--they had to--but I've treated with them ever since 'as
individuals.'"
"And they're much better off in your hands than they were in the union,"
said the professor.
"I don't know about that," said the manufacturer, "but I'm sure I am."
We laughed with him, all but the minister, whose mind seemed to have
caught upon some other point, and who sat absently by.
"And is it your opinion, from what you know of the working-man generally,
that they all have this twist in their heads?" the professor asked.
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