The entire evening was used up in futile arguments,
recriminations, and personalities, and finished up
with a fight among a half-dozen brakemen. Several
chairs were broken, and the landlord refused to allow
us to enter the hall again until he was paid for his
furniture. A hasty collection satisfied his claim, and
once more we renewed our deliberations. Frank



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2l6 THE GENERAL MANAGER'S STORY

made an excellent opening speech, in which he de-
plored the lost time, and assured them that he would
keep order if he had to personally eject every man
from the hall. His speech had the desired effect,
and we got to work at once. I started in to nomi-
nate members for the committee, and was both sur-
prised and disgusted at the unanimity with which the
honor was declined. Axiom : The average railroad
man would rather not serve on a committee for fear
he will lose his job.
At last an old fellow jumped up after I had nomi-
nated half a dozen unwilling candidates, and bawled
out, "Sa-ay! you've nominated about everybody in
the room to serve on this committee, an' now by
gum I nominate you." There was a roar of laughter
at this, and as soon as it subsided, I turned to the
chairman, and said, "I accept." This brought down
the house ; when the cheering was over I nominated
the previous speaker, and amid more noise he ac-
cepted. After this we had but little trouble in com-
pleting our committee. As chairman I demanded the
most explicit instructions, declining on behalf of my-
self and fellow-committeemen to assume the respon-
sibility of formulating the demands to be made on
the company.
