Hawk-faced Ballin spoke up: "Those bricks were thrown by men planted among us by the company."

Ness raised an eyebrow. "My assistant, Robert Chamberlin, was down there this morning. He was threatened by strikers with bricks; and they were local people. This violence cuts both ways, gentlemen."

"What do you propose to do about it?" Owens said coldly.

"Anyone throwing bricks at cars will be arrested," Ness said, shrugging. "If it's somebody the company planted, then I guess we'll find out."

"What about the trashing of our union hall?" Selby demanded. "That was company thugs who did that!"

"I'm investigating that. If Republic hired that done, we'll prosecute."

"Why should we trust you?" Selby asked.

"Because my men haven't shot anybody," Ness said. "And they are not going to. Or would you prefer I provide you with a few martyrs, Mr. Owens? I know Republic Steel would appreciate it if I would throw some lead around, and scare your people back to work."

Burton winced at that, but said, "We are not here to take sides, gentlemen."

"We're here to keep the peace," Ness added quickly. "Now what do you propose to do toward that end?"

Owens shook his head side to side. "We're on strike. We don't expect it to be easy."

"Then why are you wasting our time?" Ness snapped. "If you want a bloodbath, don't expect me to aid and abet you, and then take the rap for you, too. I won't play savior for you, and I won't play villain, either. If you want to avoid more violence, then limit the number of your pickets and don't physically try to stop nonstrikers from entering the plant."

"Scabs," Ballin said bitterly.

"Not necessarily," Burton said, gesturing with an open hand. "This morning I had a call from Walter L. Wonder, who is chairman of the Republic Employee's Association…"