III
Comrade Gerrity now took the chair and made an effort to get things
started. The minutes of the last meeting were read, new members were
voted on, and then Comrade Mary Allen rose to report for the Worker
committee. The fund had been completed, the first number of the
paper was to appear next week, and it was now up to every member of
the local to get up on his toes and hustle as never in his life
before. Comrade Mary, with her thin, eager face of a religious
zealot, made everyone share her fervour.
All save Lawyer Norwood. Since the retirement of Dr. Service he was
the chief pro-ally trouble-maker, and he now made a little speech.
He had been agreeably surprised to learn that the money had been
raised so quickly; but then certain uncomfortable doubts having
occurred to him, he had made inquiries and found there was some
mystery about the matter. It was stated that the new paper was to
demand a general strike in the Empire; and of course everybody knew
there were powerful and sinister forces now interested in promoting
strikes in munition factories.
"Wild Bill" was on his feet in an instant. Had the comrade any
objection to munition workers demanding the eight hour day?
"No," said Norwood, "of course not; but if we are going into a fight
with other people, we surely ought to know who they are and what
their purpose is. I have been informed--there seems to be a little
hesitation in talking about it--that a lot of money has been put up
by one man, and nobody knows who that man is."
"He's an organizer for the A. F. of L.!" The voice was Jimmie's. In
his excitement the solemn pledge of secrecy was entirely forgotten!
"Indeed!" said Norwood. "What is his name?"
Nobody answered.
"Has he shown his credentials?" Again silence.
"Of course, I don't need to tell men as familiar with union affairs
as the comrades here that every bona-fide organizer for a union
carries credentials. If he does not produce them, it is at least
occasion for writing to the organization and finding out about him.
Has anybody done that?"
Again there was silence.
"I don't want to make charges," said Norwood--
"Oh, no!" put in "Wild Bill". "You only want to make insinuations!"
"What I want to do is merely to make sure that the local knows what
it is doing. It is no secret anywhere in Leesville that money is
being spent to cause trouble in the Empire. No doubt this money has
passed through a great many hands since it left the Kaiser's, but we
may be sure that his hands are guiding it to its final end."
And then what an uproar! "Shame! Shame!" cried some; and others
cried, "Bring your proofs!" The "wild" members shouted, "Put him
out!" They had long wanted to get rid of Norwood, and this looked to
be their chance.
But the young lawyer stood his ground and gave them shot for shot.
They wanted proofs, did they? Suppose they had learned of a
capitalist conspiracy to wreck the unions in the city; and suppose
that the Leesville Herald had been clamouring for "proofs"--what
would they have thought?
"In other words," shouted Schneider, "you know it's true, yust
because it's Yermany!"
"I know it's true," said Norwood, "because it would help Germany to
win the war. One doesn't have to have any other evidence--if a
certain thing will help Germany to win the war, one knows that thing
is being done. All you Germans know that, and what's more, you're
proud of it; it's your efficiency that you boast."
Again there was a cry of "Shame! Shame!" But the cry came from
Comrade Mary, the Quaker lady, and it was evident that she had
expected a chorus, and was disconcerted at being alone.
Young Norwood, who knew his Germans, laughed scornfully. "Just now
your government is selling bonds in America, supposed to be for the
benefit of the families of the dead and wounded. Some of those bonds
have been taken in this city, as I happen to know. Does anybody
really believe the money will reach the families of the dead and
wounded?"
This time the Germans answered. "I belief it!" roared Comrade Koeln.
"And I! And I!" shouted others.
"That money is staying right here in Leesville!" proclaimed the
lawyer. "It is preparing a strike in the Empire!"
A dozen men wanted the floor at once. Schneider, the brewer, got it,
for the reason that he could outbellow anyone else. "What does the
comrade want?" he demanded. "Is he not for the eight hour day?"
"Has he got any of the old man Granitch's money?" shrilled "Wild
Bill". "Or maybe he doesn't know that Granitch is spending money to
get smart young lawyers to help keep his munition slaves at work?"
