Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 June 1895 — Outwitting the Trade Unionists. [ARTICLE]

Outwitting the Trade Unionists.

An English paper tells a story, which goes to show that, resourceful as they are, even delegates of trades unions sometimes have to confess themselves outwitted. A certain firm of marine engineers In the north of England had the misfortune to Incur, for some trivial offense, the displeasure of the union, with the result that the men were ordered out, and an entire stop was put to the work then In the shops. As It happened, an order for the boilers of a new vessel had just been received. As

delay was out of the question, the work was promptly packed off to another flftjj. But the union was up to the move, ant) Wflrm which proposed to give 1 Its help was warned that suMi a step would be taken at Its peril. The moldings wore sent from one place to another, but the delegates set apart as watchers were always on the trail, and every attompt to have the work done seemed to bo checkmated. As a last resource, the moldings one sight were put on a barge, towed down the canal, and there painted a fresh color and stamped with a French mark. Thus changed they excited no suspicion, and secured admission to the yards. All went well until the work was about completed, and then In some way the whisper got abroad that a trick had been played. No sooner had tho rumor gone tho round of tho yard than the puzzled delegates appeared upon the spot, furious at being so cleverly hoodwinked. They bearded the principal In his office, and announced their Intention of calling out tho men at once. But they were a day too late. The principal was not to bo browbeaten. Ho expressed himself delighted, Btated that there was no work on hand, and lie was about to give uotlce himself, and begged the delegate who was acting as spokesman to act forthwith wlthotlf the loss of a minute. It was now the delegates’ turn to turn tall, and after a short consultation they generously, as they declared, gave the firm the benefit of the doubt, and retired from the field, leaving the ready-witted partner to laugh in his sleeve. Tho works, needless to say, were neither closed nor placed on short time.