The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-03-29
CHINESE CHEAP LABOR.

The Problem Mt Beaver Falls, Pa.
published by request from the PlttsburEGAzstts)
As VIC intimated would be the case,
several days ago, the members OF the
Economy Society, after full considera-
ton Of the subject, will return their ans
wer to-day 10 the people Of Beaver Falls,
in reference 10 the employment Of Chi
nese in the Cutlery works, AS this is the
tist official statement Of the Economy
Society on the topic which has created
such excitement aud discussion, 1t will be
read with great interest, while TO the peo.
pic Of Beaver Falls, It will be Of partlcu.
lar Importance. The document was first
approved by the Economy Society, rati-
ded by the Cutlery Company, and as
herewith given in full, will be presented
To the people of Beaver Falls for their
action to-day.
Yalhe CitiasnS Of Bearer Fills:
Recently there appeared in our village
Of Economy delegation Of citizens from
Beaver Falls, Pa, with aseries OF resolu-
lions passed at u meeting Of citizens held
in that place, wherein they complain Of
tho introduction Of Chinese labor into the
works OF the Beaver Falls Cutlery Com
pany by the trustee Of our Society, and
the other parties interested therein, by
which white laborers, to whom, as is OIL.
legged, continuous employment in said
said cutlery had been promised. were
displaced and obliged to leave tho place,
etc, and demanding relief Of our Society,
by whose agents and trustee, and by
whose capital and influence, as Is alleged,
and grievances have been brought about.
Our Society now deem 1t q duty to ans
wCr these complaints, and make apublic
explanation OF It's acts, and tue more so,
since the employment Of Chinese labor
has Of late, for various causes, become
more frequent In various other parts OF
the country. ,
The Cutlery Company Is an organized
corporation, trAnsacting It's business in
the usual way through a board Of dlrec-
tors, our Society being the principal own
er Of the stock, but having but ono direc-
tor in tho board, and but One voice In its
management, Our Society as such was
not notified either by our agents or trustee
Of the intended employment Of Chinese
hborers by tue company, and was not
therefore consulted about 1t, but having
been notified Of the complaints in ques-
ton, our council oielders resolved to ex-
anime into the matter.
On such examination We had the COM
pany organized as Aforesaid now In APP
parcntly successful operation. We being
the principal owners, Ns Aforesaid, but
other parties who had for long time
been connected In the management OF
the business in Beaver Falls, having also
large interests therein.
The works now give employment to
about one hundred and twenty white per.
sons residents Of Beaver Falls and vicinity,
and about ono hundred and ninety
Chnese. The directors Of the Company,
without our knowledge as Society, en-
tered into q contract for the employment
Of three hundred Chinee laborers, for a
term Of four years, and gave security lor
the faithful performance Of their obliga-
lions aaE4.f
These men receive their wages monthly
anil are free 10 leave the employ OF the
Company at any time, II not satisfied, or
tor any reasonable cause they may be dis
charged IRON inc company.
We have been unable to find that the
Directors have, IN their action, or In their
management OF the business, violated any
law or any rights Of any party, but II
such Slonld be tho case, the courts are
open 10 decide upon it. When the pres
cnt Board of Directors took upon them
selves the management OF the COmpAnys
business, which was only done as n last
desperate effort to save Il from utter ruin,
they found II in deplOrablc condition,
heavy losses having been sustained, ind
It's capital greatly impaired, The pre-.
yOls efforts to save said cutlery may well
be likened 10 the efforts oil crew on
board a sinking ship ireighted with val.
liable cargo. They applied TO their next
Elnsmcn, who, indeed, seemed willing to
AID, on condition, however, that each
should receive certain portion, but upon
aFeGkoning being made, 1t was found the
pro'iercd aid would cost not only the
whole cargo, but require the ship and
quite an addition beside. In this dilemma
Gat one Of two things remained TO be
dGne-siop the works at once and entirely
which would have discharged every en-
pI2oyec, and Gntailed great injury, Il mol
rum upon the interests OF the place, or dc
Is was done by the managers, call upon
Ihtse men TO do part OF the labor and
sUive to continue operations.
The latter was adopted as the beltel
course for all concerned And may mol