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As he thought of these evenings； he was ready to believe that his
suspicion of the Scotchman's ill…will toward himself was due
largely to imagination； and yet he could not rid himself of the
unpleasant memory of McNish's convulsed face that afternoon。
〃What the deuce is the matter with the beggar； anyway？〃 he said to
himself。
Suddenly a new suggestion came to him。
〃It can't be；〃 he added； 〃surely the idiot is not jealous。〃 Then
he remembered Annette's attitude at the moment； her hands pressing
his hard to her breast； her face lifted up in something more than
appeal。 〃By Jove！ I believe that may be it；〃 he mused。 〃And
Annette？ Had she observed it？ What was in her heart？ Was there a
reason for the Scotchman's jealousy on that side？〃
This thought disturbed him greatly。 He was not possessed of a
larger measure of self…conceit than falls to the lot of the average
young man； but the thought that possibly Annette had come to regard
him other than as a friend released a new tide of emotion within
him。 Rapidly he passed in review many incidents in their
association during the months since he returned from the war； and
gradually the conviction forced itself upon him that possibly
McNish was not without some cause for jealousy。 It was rotten luck
and was bound to interfere with their present happy relations。 Yet
none the less was he conscious that it was not altogether an
unpleasant thought to him that in some subtle way a new bond had
been established between this charming young girl and himself。
But he must straighten things out with McNish at the very first
opportunity。 He was a decent chap and would make Annette a first…
rate husband。 Indeed； it pleased Jack not a little to feel that he
would be able to further the fortunes of both。 McNish had good
foreman timber in him and would make a capable assistant。 As to
this silly prejudice of his； Jack resolved that he would take steps
immediately to have that removed。 That he could accomplish this he
had little doubt。
But the most acutely pressing of the problems that engaged his mind
were those that arose out of his new position as manager。 The mere
organizing and directing of men in their work gave him little
anxiety。 He was sure of himself as far as that was concerned。 He
was sure of his ability to introduce among the men a system of team
play that would result in increased production and would induce
altogether better results。 He thought he knew where the weak spots
were。 He counted greatly upon the support of the men who had been
associated with him in the Maitland Mills Athletic Association。
With their backing； he was certain that he could eliminate most of
that very considerable wastage in time that even a cursory
observation had revealed to him in the shops； due to such causes as
dilatory workers； idle machines； lack of co…ordination； improper
routing of work； and the like。 He had the suspicion that a little
investigation would reveal other causes of wastage as well。
There was one feature in the situation that gave him concern and
that was the radical element in the unions。 Simmons and his gang
had from the very first assumed an attitude of hostility to
himself； had sought to undermine his influence and had fought his
plans for the promotion of clean sport among the Mill men。 None
knew better than Simmons that an active interest in clean and
vigorous outdoor sports tended to produce contentment of mind； and
a contented body of men offered unfertile soil for radical and
socialistic doctrines。 Hence； Simmons had from the first openly
and vociferously opposed with contemptuous and bitter indignation
all Jack's schemes and plans for the promotion of athletic sports。
But Jack had been able to carry the men with him and the recent
splendid victory over a famous team had done much to discredit
brother Simmons and his propaganda。
Already Jack was planning a new schedule of games for the summer。
Baseball； football； cricket； would give occupation and interest to
all classes of Mill workers。 And in his new position he felt he
might be able； to an even greater degree； to carry out the plans
which he had in mind。 On the other hand； he knew full well that
men were apt to be suspicious of welfare schemes 〃promoted from
above。〃 His own hockey men he felt sure he could carry with him。
If he could only win McNish to be his sergeant…major； success would
be assured。 This must be his first care。
He well knew that McNish had no love for Simmons； whom the
Scotchman despised first； because he was no craftsman； and chiefly
because he had no soundly…based system of economics but was
governed by the sheerest opportunism in all his activities。 A
combination between McNish and Simmons might create a situation not
easy to deal with。 Jack resolved that that combination should be
prevented。 He would see McNish at once； after the meeting of his
local； which he remembered was set for that very night。
This matter being settled； he determined to proceed immediately to
the office for an interview with Wickes。 He must get to know as
speedily as possible something of the shop organization and of its
effect upon production。 He found Mr。 Wickes awaiting him with
tremulous and exultant delight； eager to put himself； his
experience； his knowledge and all that he possessed at the disposal
of the new manager。 The whole afternoon was given to this work；
and before the day was done； Jack had in his mind a complete
picture of the planing mill； with every machine in place and an
estimate； more or less exact； of the capacity of every machine。 In
the course of this investigation； he was surprised to discover that
there was no detailed record of the actual production of each
machine； nor； indeed； anything in the way of an accurate cost
system in any department of the whole business。
〃How do you keep track of your men and their work； Wickes？〃 he
inquired。
〃Oh！〃 said the old man； 〃the foremen know all about that； Mr。
Jack。〃
〃But how can they know？ What check have they？〃
〃Well； they are always about； Mr。 Jack； and keep their eyes on
things generally。〃
〃I see；〃 said Jack。 〃And do you find that works quite
satisfactorily？〃
〃Well； sir； we have never gone into details； you know； Mr。 Jack；
but if you wish〃
〃Oh； no； Wickes； I am just trying to get the hang of things； you
know。〃 Jack was unwilling to even suggest a criticism of method at
so early a stage in his managerial career。 〃I want to know how you
run things； Wickes； and at any time I shall be glad of assistance
from you。〃
The old bookkeeper hastened to give him almost tearful assurance of
his desire to assist to the utmost of his power。
The meeting of Local 197 of the Woodworkers' Union was largely
attended； a special whip having been sent out asking for a full
meeting on the ground that a matter of vital importance to
unionised labour was to be considered。
The matter of importance turned out to be nothing less than a
proposition that the Woodworkers' Union should join with all other
unions in the town to make a united demand upon their respective
employers for an increase in wages and better conditions all
around； in connection with their various industries。 The question
was brought up in the form of a resolution from their executive；
which strongly urged that this demand should be approved and that a
joint committee should be appointed to take steps for the
enforcement of the demand。 The executive had matters thoroughly in
hand。 Brother Simmons and the more radical element were kept to
the background； the speakers chosen to present the case being all
moderates。 There was no suggestion of extreme measures。 Their
demands were reasonable； and it was believed that the employers
were prepared to give fair considerationindeed； members had had
assurance from an authoritative quarter on the other side that such
was the case。
Notwithstanding the moderate tone adopted in presenting it； the
resolution met with strenuous opposition。 The great majority of
those present were quiet； steady…going men who wanted chiefly to
be let alone at their work and who were hostile to the suggested
action； which might finally land them in 〃trouble。〃 The old…time
workers in the Maitland Mills had no grievances against their
employer。 They； of course； would gladly accept an increase in
wages； for the cost of living was steadily climbing； but they
disliked intensely the proposed method of making a general demand
for an increase in wages and for better conditions。
The sporting element in the meeting were frankly and fiercely
antagonistic to anything that would disturb the present friendly
relation with their employers in the Maitland Mills。 〃The old man〃
had always done the square thing。 He had shown himself a 〃regular
fellow〃 in backing them up in all their games during the past year。
He had always given them a fair hearing and a square deal。 They
would not stand for any hold…up game of this sort。 It was a low…
down game； anyway。
The promoters of the resolution began to be anxious for their
cause。 They had not anticipated any such a strong opposition and
were rather nonplussed as