Chapter 274: Brewing Conflict

If a labor dispute breaks out into a conflict, such as the confrontation between Carnegie Steel and workers' wages, it will be very disadvantageous to the United Company.

Carnegie Steel actually had a very bad reputation because of the Homestead strike. In order to reduce costs and increase profits, Carnegie Steel reduced the wages of workers per piece. As a result, the angry United Steelworkers called on these workers to go on strike at Carnegie's factory, Homestead. At the same time, what made the conflict more intense was that the company introduced many efficient machines. In order to minimize costs, the company also laid off a quarter of its employees.

Carnegie Steel Company gathered some workers who disagreed with the strike and invited more than 300 armed personnel from private detective agencies to suppress the strike, which intensified the conflict. They launched a very bloody battle with the striking workers, and the result was: five company workers and four private detectives were killed, and more than 300 people were injured.

The state police came and helped Carnegie Steel to deal with the incident. However, because of this, Carnegie Steel had a bad reputation.

But if Sheffield were to stand in his own perspective, he would say that introducing efficient machines to replace manual labor is a social progress. How can you just want progress without sacrifice? Carnegie Steel did nothing wrong. America was founded by struggle and did not support idlers. With more efficient machines, why should we still support worthless workers? Why not let the company assign you a wife?

"If they don't let me make money, they won't get a penny." Sheffield said in front of McHale and nodded to Jesla, "Find a black senior staff member and let's make a plan first."

After Jesla left, he spoke to McHale again, "From the incident at Carnegie Steel, we know that one-sided suppression is not good for our company's image. Although I don't think Carnegie himself did anything wrong, the company itself should pursue greater efficiency. The behavior of those steel workers is just like the textile workers in the Middle Ages who destroyed the textile machines. They are blocking the progress of society and do not deserve sympathy. However, the image of the United Company is more important than anything else, so we can act without scruples if we have to lead to another situation."

"But what's the difference?" McHale didn't understand. They were all the same group of people and the result was the same.

"There's a huge difference here. If it becomes a racial issue, it's the country's current reality. If we directly suppress residents who don't want to move, it's a problem for our companies. Although it doesn't make any difference to the suppressed residents, it makes a big difference to outsiders." Sheffield lit a cigar and took a puff, "What we need to do now is to turn our problem into a national problem."

If it becomes a racial issue, the country will be blamed, at least in a few decades, because the goal of the United States is ultimately much bigger than the United Corporation.

For citizens in other states who did not witness what happened in New Orleans directly, this was just an ordinary confrontation, and public opinion might even side with Sheffield and the state government.

At least in the current United States of America, most citizens do not have sympathy for minorities. Sheffield is very sure of this. Of course, for those involved, whether it is a racial issue or capitalists suppressing residents, the result is the same.

This is just like the change of dynasties in China, where halving the population is a routine operation. For those who have died, whether they were peasant soldiers, government soldiers, or foreign mercenaries, or more directly, the Mongolian Legion or the Eight Banners Army, it doesn't make any difference if they are dead. But for those who survived the chaotic times, there is a big difference, at least the dead died at the hands of foreigners, which can give them an excuse to gather people's hearts.

What if I could gather people's hearts and become the emperor, then wouldn't these dead people be valuable?

Sheffield now wants to implement the project immediately, but does not want to be criticized. It must turn this matter into a conflict that most citizens feel has a reason, and there is no more appropriate way to deal with this matter than with racial issues.

Let McHale talk to someone first to stabilize the situation and create the illusion that talks are possible. Sheffield needs to sort out solutions to crack the problem and get the development of this matter on track as planned.

He needed the public opinion of white people and the actions of black people as evidence to turn this incident into a civil ethnic conflict, and the United Company just happened to be involved, and the company was also an innocent victim.

The Louisiana general convener of the KKK came to Oak Manor with great interest, and happened to see Sheffield shooting with a shotgun, accompanied by Natalia, who looked bored.

Bang, bang... Sheffield, who was immersed in the state of listening to the noise, completely smashed the target designed to be the Northern Union Army, and then threw the shotgun with no bullets to the side. He turned around with his hands in his trouser pockets, nodded to Conley and asked him to sit down, and said straight to the point, "The United Company has encountered some insignificant troubles at present. By the way, your son was promoted quickly after becoming a policeman. Just like I said, you 3K members should join the police department to change your situation and better maintain the order of the federation. With power and guns in your hands, isn't it much better than before?"

"It's all thanks to Boss William, who helped us civilians find a way out. In fact, many people are grateful for this!" Conley kept expressing his gratitude, "With us here, the country will not be affected by those black people."

"There's no need to say thank you. This is what a conscientious entrepreneur should do. Although there are some ignorant bastards who don't understand our efforts, they don't understand what our companies have done for the South. They only care about the little money in front of them and don't consider the overall situation to cooperate with us. This is very annoying." Sheffield spoke with a compassionate tone and said despicable and shameless words at the first word, "They are as ungrateful as the black people thirty years ago. If we hadn't provided them with jobs, they would have starved to death long ago."

"Boss, if you need our help, please let us know!" Conley knew as soon as he heard it that Sheffield must want him to do something, so he took the initiative to speak.

"You guys are so upright. Don't worry. I'm just asking you to do something you're already good at. I also believe that my request is not excessive." Sheffield laughed and lowered his voice, "In fact, this matter is also in line with the ideas of you guys. It's a good thing for both you and me."

As Sheffield spoke, Conley nodded continuously, and finally asked, "What if there are people like yours among the black group and they get hurt by mistake?"

"Don't worry, those eggplant people run faster than anyone else. I know my employees best." Sheffield smiled brightly, indicating that everything was fine, and said, "This time, if you help me get rid of the problematic people, the problem will naturally disappear."

Sheffield wanted to resolve all the hidden dangers through this conflict, and he did not want any factors to interfere with the reconstruction plan of New Orleans after this storm. As for Conley, this matter itself was in line with their ideas. At least for now, the two sides could wear the same pants.

Prior to this, the black employees who cooperated with Sheffield's plan had just left Oak Manor, preparing on both sides to defuse this disturbance. After Conley left, Natalia suggested with some concern, "If it turns into a conflict, it will be dangerous to stay in New Orleans. Even if you don't care, shouldn't you go out for a while to create evidence of your absence?"

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"Oh, dear, your words are always so heartwarming!" Sheffield leaned on Natalia's body as if he had no bones, resting his head on her elastic legs, and said with the aura of a weak person, "It's useless to deliberately create an alibi. Carnegie actually went to Scotland for vacation when the steel workers were suppressed, but everyone knows that he was the one who controlled everything remotely. Leaving at this time will make people think that I have something to hide. I'm not going anywhere."

Sheffield just wants to stay in New Orleans and see the success of things with his own eyes. Don't try to avoid suspicion first, and it's also unnecessary! When Natalia heard this, her blue eyes were full of admiration. This man is so responsible.

Of course, Sheffield was prepared for a showdown, and he still had some goodwill. If McHale could handle this, there might not be a need to create a tragedy. Sheffield's condition was that he could win over the leaders who resisted the demolition and let them settle the matter, but this benefit was limited to a few people, and all the benefits were given to them. As for all the participants, their attitudes remained the same as before.

Even if the joint company has the strength to directly kill the other party, it still needs to do some surface work. Why not do the basic division and disintegration? It is better to use both methods of pulling and attacking at the same time.

This negotiation ultimately ended in failure. Even though the leaders who refused to move did not know Sheffield's real purpose, they thought that the United Company was obviously perfunctory, and in fact it was.

What made these people happy was that the black people, who usually looked more like gorillas than humans, learned of their just actions and actually came over to offer help. It turned out that what was right was right, and even these black people, whose IQ was similar to that of animals, could distinguish between good and evil.

(End of this chapter)