And so it was. Next morning, when Theodore Marrin made the rounds of the vast loft where two hundred girls and forty-five men were busily working--the machines racing--the air pulsing with noise--Jacob Izon arose, trembling, and confronted him.
"The men have asked me to ask you not to have us make the cloaks."
"So, that's it!" he snapped. "Well, here's my answer. Go back to your work!"
The men had stopped working and were listening. The air was electric, ominous.
"I am very sorry then. I must announce that the men have struck!"
He turned and walked away, flaming with rage. The men quickly put their work away, got their hats and coats, and followed Izon. When they reached the street--a strange spectacle on flashing, brilliant Fifth Avenue--Izon suggested that they go down to Tenth Street, for they stood about like a lot of lost sheep.
"No," cried one of the men, "we've had enough of Tenth Street. There's a hall we can use right over on Eighteenth Street. Come on."
The rest followed. Izon reported to Joe, and Joe asked:
"I don't know!" Izon shrugged his shoulders.
This doubt was justifiable, for he soon found that he was leading a forlorn hope. As morning after morning the men assembled in the dark meeting-room behind a saloon, and sat about in their overcoats complaining and whining, quoting their wives and relatives, more and more they grew disconsolate and discouraged. There were murmurs of rebellion, words of antagonism. Finally on the fifth morning a messenger arrived with a letter. Izon took it.
TO MY MEN,--I have thought matters over. I do not like to sever connections with men who have been so long in my employ. If you return to work this morning, you may go on at the old salaries, and we will consider the matter closed. If, however, you listen to advice calculated to ruin your future, and do not return, please remember that I will not be responsible. I shall then secure new men, and your places will be occupied by others.
_P.S._--Naturally, it is understood that under no circumstance will your leader--Jacob Izon--the cause of this trouble between us--be re-employed. Such men are a disgrace to the world.
"Shall I write to him that we will not consider his offer, and tell him we refuse to compromise?"