St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-03-09
SET AT REST.
Statements About the Hardwood
Manufacturing Company Denied.

To the Editor of the Globe:
An article in Sundays issue entitled a
Hard Case Is such a tissue OF falsehoods
from beginning TO end that cannot refrain.
at the risk of being tedious, from explaining
the exact circumstances attending tue dis
charge OF certain men from our employ a
week ago. Last fall, when either through
our own incompetency or the superior BUSH
ness ability OF our competitors we had lost
considerable portion OF our trade, we under
took TO recover lost ground by making con-
tracts with the mills for period OF one year.
These contracts were taken with the full
knowledge and consent OF the mem; a con-
sent outspoken in the majority OF instances
and taciJly given by ali. as we understood it,
The price was distinctly stated and we agreed
TO pay no more or no less for one
year, and TO give the men steady
labor. All who were willing TO stay
on these terms were welcomed, and Il
hearty "God-speed" given 20 all who thought
theg could do better elsewhere. So far as
now remember not one man left us. and why
should they: In less than thirty days after
the contracts went into effect they were
getting more pay per barrel than half the
cooperative shops, as they had been receiving
all summer more pay than any other journey
men. We kept our part OF the agreement
faithfully. The price of hopping declined
steadily from cents 10 AZ. and even cents,
but we did not change our price. We stored
barrels in order 10 keep our men employed
until every place We could hire for storage
was full. aud then we built large and eN-
pensive warehouse. Everything went along
pleasantly and tremendously through the
three biting months Of the winter-Decem-
Der, January and February-during which
time We made upwards OF $1,000 more
barrels than ever before, storing
the bulk Of them il IS true.
but paw, ng the coopers for making them, just
the sane. discussing on this account TO the
c0opers $1,000 more than we wonld have done
under ordinary circumstances. Well, the
turbulent spring-tims approached. when the
element which can only see one side OF COM
pact, deemed IL wise 10 agitate the question
OF an advance in wages, When / was told
that thequestiOu was being discussed in our
factory. simply refused 10 believe IL. had
had a specific understanding with the men.
and no more expected them 20 deviate from
it than expected 10 violate il myself. But
after being repeatedly warned / undertook
10 ascertain tRe truth. had employed more
mrn all winter than had any use for. be-
cause had promised not 10 discharge them
and they had promised 10 stay during the life
of the contracts. IL they felt. however. that
there was no obligation on their part 10 stay,
there could certainly be none on my part TO
retain them. 1 went, individually, through
the factory and asked each one what was his
understanding Of our agreement last fall.
/ am proud 10 say that the great majority
OF Tue men uAu agreed 10 WORK TOT
q year at q certain price. steady employ ment.
and they propose to do it. As for the others,
they preferred TO take their chances, and
they are taking them. We neither claimed
TO have lost money, nor have we in reality:
we are neither embarrassed or liable TO fail
ure. So far as know there are not any suf-
fering families among our employees. and II
there are, our coopers know that for as
sistance they have never applied TO US in
vain. And If any suffering Is the result OF
our action. the 'prOmise-breakers as
''Croaker' styles them. have only themselves
to blame for il. ''Croaker," having heard
something about wages in the Hardwood
Storage company's service, cannot see how
the men manage TO live.
We grant that wages are low. too low. But
! il is the inevitable result Of the state OF the
| labor market where there are more laborers
than the special industry in which they are
engaged requires. The fair question is:
How do the wages of our men compare with
the wages paid other men of the same craft
here in the city," Last week our coopers
averaged 81. Il a day for all, including the
faithful and the Indifferent. The week be
fore they averaged 81. 6s per day.
What shop in town has furnished as many
days employment during the winter as we,
and where has the average daily pay for the
what we have paidg Let Croaker turn his
20 pay as much wages or furnish as steady
employment as we, before attempting 10 criti-
else business transaction. the spirit and de-
tails OF which he either ignorantly or
maliciously falsides.
c. McC. REEVE.
Secretary Hardwood Mfg. j Storage Co.
Minneapolis, March g.