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be a fire hazard.”

I said, “Yes, I realize that.”

So I said good-bye to him and went downstairs. The guard was keeping them out of the building, but they were outside. So I stopped on this little portico. I said, “I'll be very glad indeed to meet you. I hear you weren't able to get into the building. It was very crowded. The fire laws wouldn't permit anyone else.”

A man began to snarl. He said, “Oh, that Burgess, he wouldn't let us in anyhow. We're steel workers and he wouldn't let us in. We've got a petition, a complaint, to make.”

I said, “Well, I'll see you right here. Just tell me now. Don't be upset about it. Here I am. Tell me what the complaint is. I'll be glad to hear what you have to say, hear your complaint, explain it if I can.”

By this time the door behind me was opening and here was the Burgess tearing down the stairs. He said, “Miss Perkins, you can't make any speech. You can't have a meeting here. You can't have a meeting on these steps. This is my building and I won't permit it.” He shook his hand at the workers, saying, “You old scallywags, get out of here! You're no good. They're just trouble-makers, Miss Perkins. They're the worst trouble-makers in this town.”