DELAYED by a train of accidents, a
big contractor faced forfeiture of his
bond on a city tunnel costing millions
of dollars. He had exhausted his ingenuity
and his resources to comply with the terms of
his contract, but had failed. Because public
opinion had been condemning concessions on
other jobs on flimsy grounds, the authorities
refused to extend the time allowed for completing
the work. By canceling the contract,
collecting the penalty, and reletting the task,
the city would profit without exceeding its
legal rights.
In his dilemma, he called his foremen
together and explained the situation to them.
"Tell the men," he said. Many of these
had been members of his organization for
years, moving with him from one undertaking
to the next, looking to him for employment,
for help in dull seasons or in times of misfortune,
repaying him with interest in their
tasks and a certain rough attachment.
He had been unusually considerate, adopting
every possible safeguard for their protection,
recognizing their union, employing three shifts
of men, paying more than the required scale
when conditions were hard or dangerous.
A score of unions were represented in the
organization: miners, masons, carpenters,
plasterers, engineers, electricians, and many
grades of helpers. Learning his plight, they
rallied promptly to his aid. They appealed
to their trades and to the central body of
unions to intervene in his behalf with the city
officials.
