Page:The Cannery Boat.pdf/247

Rh “You old fool!”

While Kondo was standing there shouting, from the rear came a score of voices calling, “Mr. Chairman.”

“Why does the works council have to be abolished?” It was Toyama who had spoken. The director started to answer without standing up, but Toyama continued before he had time. “We don’t believe the lies of the director. Luckily, the president is here, so we can hear directly from his lips”

“That’s right, make the president speak!”

“Tell us why, president!”

Voices came from the darkness outside. Although the guards had attempted to drive the workers away from around the building, they stood firm.

“The reason is, Mr. Toyama,” the president arose, came down from the platform and, facing Toyama, glared at him, “that it would clash with the efficiency committee.” Having delivered this retort, he turned and prepared to move away, displaying as he did the nice creases down his striped trousers.

“Then why isn’t the voting strength distributed the same as in the council?”

The president’s attitude changed completely. Stopping, and turning just his head round, he tried to appear calm, but his voice was excited and instead of answering he cried “This company doesn’t belong to you. And I’m not going to let you make it the nest of that S. Union.”

“What?” Toyama blazed out. The pandemonium among the workers rose once more.