ment, get any credit We, who were helping them, came, on the other hand to the conclusion that we would only spoil them if we collected public funds and utilised them for feeding them unless the able- bodied amongst them were ready to perform bread- labour. It was a difficult task to persuade men who had worked at machines to shoulder baskets of sand or bricks, They came, but they did so grudgingly. The millowners hardened their hearts. They were equally determined not to go beyond 20 per cent, and they appointed emissaries to persuade the men to give in. Even during the early part of the lockout, whilst we had declined to help those who would not work we had assured them that we would feed and clothe ourselves after feeding and clothing them. Twenty two days had passed by ; hunger and the Millowners* emissaries were producing their effect and Satan was whispering to the men that there was no such thing as God on earth who would help them and that vows were dcdges resorted to by weaklings, One mo rrirg instead of an eager and enthusiastic crowd of 5 to 10 thou sand men with deter- mination written on their faces, I met a body of about 2,000 men with despair written on their faces. We had just heard that millhands living in a particular chow! had declined to attend the meeting, were preparing to go to work and accept 20 per cent, increase and were taunting ns (I think very properly) that it was very well for us who had motors at our disposal and plenty of food, to attend their meetings and advise staunch- ness even unto death. What <was I to do ? I held the cause to be just. I believe in God as I believe that I am writing this letter. I believe in the necessity of the performance of " one's promises " at
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