“There may be some who think the tendency of our policy has been too sentimental.  I don’t believe in doing business on sentimental principles.  But I contend that mere money-making is not the sole end of existence.  We have been associated with many of you for several years, and we cannot help feeling a considerable interest in you.  After all, life is not so very long.  Another twenty or thirty years will see us all under ground, and there will be other employers and other workmen carrying on business at Newport Rolling Mills.  It would indeed be strange if we did not take some interest in those with whom we are so much associated.  And so, without in the least relaxing discipline, or sacrificing any true principle of business, we hold it to be our duty as employers, as well as your duties as employes, to consider each other’s interests, and to do all that each of us can in the way of true and hearty co-operation.”

The coal famine began to tell upon the iron-workers.  The furnaces were often laid off for want of coal.  The principal causes of the bad supply of coal arose from shorter hours of labour, and higher wages for less work.  Yet a bonus of three and a quarter per cent, was allowed on the wages and salaries received by the employes during the year 1871.  The co-operative stores continued to be very productive, and many of the members saved considerable sums of money.  In the next year, a bonus of three and a half per cent, was divided.  But difficulties were in store.  The coal famine continued.  The employers of labour held meetings to resist the successive advances of wages, and to counteract the operations of the trades unions.

Mr. Head strongly urged the men to hold together:  “Cease to be deluded,” he said, “by these trades unions.  Save all you can, and with your savings provide against the day of sickness—­a day which is sure to come sooner or later.  Provide for old age; read good books,—­you have every chance now, with a free library in the town.  Give credit to others for wishing to be straightforward and honest as well as yourselves; and in every way I would ask you to act as reasonable, straightforward, sensible English workmen ought to do.  Show that you can appreciate being well used, that you can appreciate those who put themselves to trouble that they may do you good; and beware lest, by want of sympathy, you drive the best of the employers out of the business, and retain those alone who are despotic and tyrannical.  Cease to follow those who are actuated by self-interest, or by blind impulse; who do not care a bit if they get you into trouble, provided only they serve their own selfish ends.  Such men are but blind leaders of the blind, and if you follow them you will eventually find yourselves deserted, and lying hopelessly and helplessly in the last ditch.”