Part 2, A Gauntlet Dropped Summary

Strikes were a continuous threat and the unions used this threat to gain strength in bargaining for workers rights. Upon allegations of discriminations against union workers, Burnham ordered his construction superintendent to investigate.

Across the United States, the economy was failing, murder rose 40% from the previous year, and now there was cold weather. The workers found ways to work around the cold, but they increased Burnham's fear of a fire breaking out on the Exposition grounds. However, that was minor compared to the almost non-existent treasury of the Exposition Company. Burnham was forced to cut costs and lay off workers who needed the jobs. The other problem that plagued Burnham was the fact that no submissions had been worthy of acceptance for a structure to out-do the Eiffel Tower.

Burnham was invited to talk to engineers at...