GEORGE. Yes, you would,--if our interests conflicted. When I was in the
trenches I kept thinking of the quotation Lincoln used, "A house divided
against itself cannot stand." We're going to try to perpetuate that
house, just as he did.
HILLMAN. Lincoln had common sense.
GEORGE. Another name for intelligence. And what we've got to decide is
whether the old house will do--for democracy--industrial democracy? Can
we shore up the timbers--or shall we have to begin to build a new house?
RENCH (glancing at HILLMAN). The old one sure enough looks rotten to me.
I've said that all along.
GEORGE. It seems to have served its day. Has your union got the plans
of a new house ready--consulted an architect?
RENCH. I'm afraid we don't get you, Captain.
GEORGE. You belong to the American Federation of Labour, don't you?
Has it got a new house ready to move into?
RENCH. Well, I haven't seen any plans.
GEORGE. If the old structure's too small, one party or the other will
have to be shoved out. The capitalist or the employee. Which will it
be?
RENCH (laughing). If it comes to that--
GEORGE (smiling). There's no question in your mind. But you hadn't
thought about it--your Federation hasn't thought about it, or doesn't
want to think about it, and your employers don't want to, either.
Pages:
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133