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Frances PerkinsFrances Perkins
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We held a hearing. It was in the late afternoon. The men said what they had to say. Johnny made a speech. The men presented to me what they thought were their grievances and their abuses, and what they wanted. I listened to them all. Ferris scribbled and had a secretary there taking notes. It was then getting on towards half past six or seven and everybody was hungry. That's always a good time to break up a meeting - when you know they're going to go home to eat and won't be hanging around the square making trouble. They were all getting hungry and the trouble makers would go home and eat. That's half the battle.

I asked the employers if they had any reply to make. They didn't say a word. They talked with Mr. Ferris. Mr. Ferris, as their counsel, rose and said that the employers had heard the situations and the complaints. They had no comment whatever to make at this time. I said, “Very well then. I'll expect to hear from you in the morning at the first meeting. As the very first witness in the session we'll expect to hear from you. The session will be at nine thirty in the courthouse. The Commissioners, John Mitchell and Edward Lyon, will be present. There will be three of us.” They looked as though they were dead. I hadn't told them they were coming. The men liked that very much. I said,





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