The Newtown bee., 1880-01-21
The Rubber shop.

The Rubber shop.
 EDITOR BEE When the first article appeared in your paper in regard to the Rubber Shop, we thought It best not to notice 1t, but the second calls out a word from us, that the people may know a few facts. The company have paid out for labor in this town between two and three millions of dollars within the last twenty years. Now, in regard to other factories paying more wages for the same class of work, In answer, we would say, that in the summer of 1878 cur employees sent d committee to the different rubber factor les in New England, for the express pur- pose of learning the wages paid by them. What report did this committee make? We did not hear, but would infer, from their stiffness, that they decided to let well enough alone. As we said before, we did not hear the report, but we, ourselves, do know, that we are paying as much and in some cases more wages than other rub Der factories. Our object in first coming to thls town was to obtain cheap labor,
 
 this was, because house rent and some articles of living are much lower here than in other places therefore, the men could afford to work for less; another in- ducement was the water power, which we supposed would answer our purposes i; but we have been deceived, both in re- gard to cheap labor and the supply of water, having to run our engine one half of the time, thus making our coal bill very large. Therefore, our inducements to stay here are few, taking into con aideration that we have no way to trans port our Eools and coal, but by the Hous atomic Railroad, and it is peedless to tell you, what you now know, that the prices charged by this road are more than those of any other railroad in the country. Now to overcome these high rates of freight and get our labor cheap, we can remove to Paa5aic, N. J., where we own water privilege of four hundred horse power, and where we have foundation all laid for building that would afford us more room than we now have; the only additional expense, in such a change, would be the erection oI d building. We could easily move all our machinery from Ncwtowu, and in less than six months have everything in running order. IT wo thought that the sentiments expressed ill ! these two articles were those of the citi- Zcls of Newtown, we would not hesitate u moment to remove, and let Newtown l build itself upon agricultural pursuits. 1 When the company were embarrassed bv the defalcation of Boston company, in stead of D.dhimg the money to pay the debts extended by their creditors, the members of the N. !. B. and r. Co. sold their private property ut great sacrifice to pay them. Inc farmers, storpkeepers and the interests of all are greatly pro- noted by the large circulation of money in their midst. You will find if there is d farm or dwelling for sale within three miles Of the factory, they are generally bought by our lAen. About the looks ant condition of our meli-the men them selves must feel very highly nattered by being classcd as d lean, white, hollow eyed looking set. Where i'll any manu factory, We care not of what kind, art there better looking, and men in better condition than our men? And as to the drugs we use, it is utterly absurd and ridic ulous, to assert that they have d shorten ing influence or mans life. We have men who have been ill our employ fol twenty years, and are as robust to-day as the average farmers of our town. The gases in oar factory are noted for theil purifying qualities, :" according to the diagnosis of several eminent doctors. A to removal, we hope that we vii not be forced to resort to such q change a3 our relations with Newtowu, up 10 this time, have been most plea. :..but un dGrstand that it will take but very littl, to cause us to do this. Now what firm would be apt to relieve the "stugnatol of NcwtOwn," l5o much talked of), b, moving here, seeing, as they do, thes' articles? "Old Newtown can ueve hope to be more or as much as it is now if these piece express the minds of th' people. N. Y. B. & P. Co.