He called together his superintendents and department foremen and took them into his confidence regarding his plans for improving and enlarging the plant.  They came, if not with an air of hostility, at least with reserve, for they were nearer to the men than they were to Bonbright.  They shared the prejudices of the men.  Some of them went away from the meeting with all of their old prejudices and with a new belief that Bonbright added hypocrisy to his other vices; some withheld judgment, some were hopeful.  Few gave him implicit belief.

When he was done describing the plans for the factory, he said:  “There is one more thing I want to speak about.  It is as vital as the other. ...  We have recently gone through a strike which has caused bitterness toward this institution on the part of the men.  There has been especial bitterness toward myself.  I have no defense of myself to make.  It is too late to do that.  If any of you men know the facts--you know them.  On that point I have nothing to say. ...  This is what I want to impress on you men who are in authority.  I want to be fair to every man in this plant.  I am going to give them a fit place to work.  Many parts of this plant are not now fit places.  From every man I shall demand a day’s work for a day’s pay, but no more.  You are in direct authority.  I want each of you to treat his men with consideration, and to have an eye for their welfare.  Perhaps I shall not be able to make the men feel toward me as I want them to feel, but if it can be brought about, I want them to know that their interests are my interests. ...  That is all, except that to-morrow notices will be posted in every department stating that my office door is open to any man who works for me-any man may come to me with complaint or with suggestion at any time.  The notices will state that I want suggestions, and that any man who can bring me an idea that will improve his work or the work in his department or in the plant will be paid for it according to its value.  In short, I want the co-operation of every man who draws wages from this concern. ...”

As they went back to their departments the men who left the meeting discussed Bonbright, as he knew they would and hoped they would.

“It’s a four flush,” declared one old fellow, hotly.

“I don’t know. ...  Wait and see,” said another.  “He looked like he meant it.”

Wait and see!  That was the general attitude.  They took nothing on trust, but put it squarely up to Bonbright to prove himself by his actions.

Mershon came into the office.  “How about this construction work?” he asked.  “Need an army of bricklayers.  What about the unions?”

Was this question coming up so quickly?  Bonbright frowned.  His attitude toward the unions must become public and would inevitably raise another obstacle between himself and the men, but he was determined on the point.

“A man has a right to join the Masons or the Knights of Columbus, or the Bricklayers’ Union,” he said, presently.  “That’s for him to say, but when he comes to work here he comes as an individual.”