The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-09-29
Labor Question.
a WoQeI Md,,ufactxrin1 RiN1nA
pY ZION. n a Noprr,Do


- ST JoHNsDURY, Vr., ugust 81, 1872.
How to harmonize labor and capital !,
now one OF the great questions of the
age. Their alienation has RECENTLY
caused idIeness, distress and crime on
the one side, and lock outs, deranoe.
ment OF business and enormous losses
on the other. The many millions lately
lost IN New York by mistakes on this
question furnish only new version of
the old story of antagonsms between
those who should be partners. The In-
ternatlonals In session this week at the
hague have raised questions which will
perplex the Emperors Of Russia, Austria
and Germany, in their interviews at Ber
iln next week, quito as much as Bis.
marcks "guarantee for the peace of
EUROPE" My interest in the practical
solution OF this hard problem, now puz-
zilng Kings and peoples through the
civilized world, brought me to this
North- eastern corner of Vermont.
aere 1s great mandatory of scales,
by far the largest establishment of the
KIND IN the world. employing about 600
men. and nearly 400 in branch depart
ments elsewhere, and manufacturing
over $4,000 scales annually. They are
OF all sorts and sizes-over 800 varieties
from the most delicate standard of the
Druggist, or banker, to the ponderous
nay, raliroad-car, or canal-boat scales.
weighing 600 tons at time. They are
adapted to the standards of all nations.
anu marked with the signs of each.
This week, large invoice was sent to
Japan. and for long time they have
been sold in China, Australia. India.
Persia, Turkey, Arabia, (where tley
have been carried on mules or camels'
baoks,) in the Barbary States. Cane
Colony, Sandwich Islands, Isle of
France, oil the South American States.
and still more largely in the great com.
mercial nations OF tho earth. For use in
Europe, India aud South America. the
larger proportion are based on the metric
system, which, think. ought to be and
IN time will become the universal sys.
tenn, and which is already adopted by
nearly $50, 100000 of the worlds popula.
ton. The Fairbanks Company are
helping on this contamination. Mapy
OF their scales are fitted with double
beams, givinglboth the common and the
metric standards, thus facilitating the
comparison and use of each. The yearly
sales amount to about 50, ,0O0,O 600, nnd
the demand is rapidly increasing. The
business WAS never 30 prosperous as dur
ing tue present senson.
IL has long been q marvel how such q
concern could be made permanent
success for nearly fifty years in this re-
mote corner of the State, so fur from
tide-water; with heavy and expensive
freightage, the items of coal and iron
being yearly about 10000 tons: with
numerous other supplies from Boston or
New York; and the necessity of trans.
porting the manufactured products to
the sea-board. Throughout New Eng.
land, the tendency of manufacturers has
been from the interior to the sensible
Ihe cost OF transportation has led them
to abandon old sites and water.priyi
leges for inland, and build nearer the
great markets For this reason. though
they must there run by steam only.
manufactures are multiplying in New
I"ven and along the shore 70 Now York
!. ;e rapidly than elsewhere in Connec.
: ut. But in st. Jobnsbury, notwith-
81 lding these great disadvantages, the
business has steadily grown and become
success which, in view of the difficult
ties overcome, is unparalleled in this
country. Now, what is the explanation
OF this marvellous prosperity? What is
the condition Of the workmep? These
points came here to investigate. For
this purpose, [ inspected the works.
covering ten acres, examined the pro
cesses. talked freely with the hands as
we'll as with the owners and with the
citizens OF st. Johnsbury not connected
with the factory. TO observe the home.
lie OF the operatives, I entered their
houses and conversed with their families
These inquiries brought out facts and
differences which will. 1 think, be OF in
terest and use alike to employers AMI
employed generally.
This company maintains the highest
reputation for integrity. Muny names
honored abroad are furnished at home
Only the strictest honesty and fair deal.
ing can stand the test of daily business
intercourse with hundreds of hands for
nearly half century. "They do every
thing on tho square," was, in substance.
the answer of many citizens and work
men to my inquiries on this point. The
company has fairly earned and gained
the confidence of their men and of this
entire community, and good name at
home naturally follows them everywhere
The workmen say that they are never
permitted to do any sham work. even
Tor the most distant market To quote
tha Dithv nhroooo of fi,o 49, A.,