Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1886-02-21
A CARD
From Samuel Laughlin, President OF the
Junction Iron Company.


tion-controlled by Wheeling persons TO
large extent-to attach dishonorable cor
J duct to me as President of the Junction
Iron Company in amicsbly settling the oil
ferepces existing between the operative
and the company and which have para
lied our whole community, requires an ex
olanation from me, as to the causes OF m.
action.
In the early part of this strike, the re
ductions demanded from the nailers wer'
exhorbitsnt, reaching in some cases a
high as 40 per cent. Objections wer'
made by many as to the unfair demands
which were met by the reply: Make th'
, demand-get all you can-tal lin the set
tlement," showing plainly that the de
preston of the trade did not justify what II
now represented as a necessity, and were
not expected to be obtained even in the
dnllest times.
When the official announcement was
made by the Nsilers' Association that they
had appointed Committee of Conference,
which had not been done in their primary
meeting for organization, desired that it
should be met in the same manner it was
rendered BY them. This was not deemed
proper By the Western Nail Association.
From meeting to meeting | announced
that the course being pursued was not
agreeable to my company, and that l felt,
unless the policy OF the Association as to q
compromise settlement was changed, that
the Junction Iron Company would be com,
PEELED to act for itself independently.
Recently | was the means of bringing
about a meeting OF both parties. Presi-
dent Weir and other gentlemen believing
with me an informal talk would do good,
/ and each learn TO know the other.
The manufacturers here expressed III the
words of the resolution passed by them,
that We are willing to meet committee
of the nsilers, ETC., for the purpose OF con
sidering in an informal way the points OF dlt.
terence between the manufacturers and
workman" and was requested to so an.
nounce, which / did, and time was set
for the meeting.
When we came together it was snnounc-
ed BY the manufacturers that the nsilers
must define what points they would modify
before further conference could be had.
AS this was no part OF the understand
ing in having the meeting after some few
words the parties separated, further apart
10 their purposes than ever.
thus considered that the manufactur.
eA had placed me in Notifying aud
equiyooal position and had not met the
operatives in the frank courteous, and hon.
est msnrer they had reason TO expect.
A further effort at Pittsburgh WAS
made by me to secure conference, but
the committee OF conference appointed was
so constituted and had such conditions at
tached as again resulted in an utter failure
AS member OF that conference commit
tee was entitled to have BEEN consulted
in the reply refusing further conference,
except upon certain conditions In this |
was not even thought OF.
Reporting these facts 10 those mcst large
ly interested in my company, was DIRECT
ed 70 make, individually, a reasonably fair
compromise settlement, which did
For this the Western Nail Association
has deemed proper to attempt to humilia'e
me in a childish manner or in other words
discharge me after | had quit.
Whilst have had pleasant social inter
courae with many Of the gentlemen Ct the
Nail Association, cannot regret leaving
it. 1t has been told me | was too sym
pathetic with the poor man, and that as q
manufacturer | would soon get over such
mawkish sentiments. 1t was told me when
nails were recently selling at S2.75 and
81 OO, and when ! claiDed the pew nsiles
should be paid on that basis, as per the
contract, that ! was too honest, and that
he was not earning what was agreed upon
with me.
have no desire, as the accompanying
letter, OF February 18th, will show, written
three DAYS before the meeting, to longer
continue in tie body
Copy,
OFFIrE o. THE JUNCTION IRON Co,
WHEELING, W. Va. February Il.
Geo. Wi<c, Esq., Secretary o. the Vest
slU Nal dissertations JVheeLjHq, y.
Ia.
DEAR SIR:-The action OF the Western
Nail Association towards the President OF
the Company personally, as well as the
policy it has advocated in its recent coan-
ellis dictates the necessity Of the Junction
Iron Go. pursp,uR ~ tp6 iut.,o cliy suSb
q course as may be ordered by its Board
Of Directors, irrespective Of its past atfilia.
tons, and | sm directed to communicate
this fact 10 you Respectfully,
lIEo. i. IAUGHIIN, SecY
Ii was told me when In this charmed
circle, | deprecated the bartarous treatment
Of turning out Of their humble homes the
striking coke makers, exposing women
and children to winter storms. that J sho"!4
treet the neyli with Rre. spd Bneu striker
was down keep him doWa.
have violated no pledge and acted
within those limits allowed leaving every
manufacturer bound to only the extent as
was deemed proper By their respective
boards-Rho should decide what was their
company welfare and those employed by
them.
announced in the January meeting
that my company had informed me in
stockholders meeting, that the policy @.
! last sSbE buOuId Eubbkt III 81 AIu HOull
be expected to conform, sS President, 10
the policy indicated by the new Board Of
Directors for the ensuing yesr-all Of
which was plainly made known, aud the
Association was fully aware of the facts.
/ The whole course of the Western Nail
Association during my connection with
il hes Lsen one OF iisco,d apd dtstrast OF
each other, and suspicious of even the best
intentions and lacking in sympathy With
their employees. From such company
can truly say, Good Lord deliver me.
4 Ny action is one directed By stockhold.
ers, Who whilst investing their capital for
fair return, are rot forgetful Of those
employed ny them; as also the community
st large in which tney reside.
. As l have been able to manage for my.
self in the past trust. with some measure
of success, to be able to manage the juno.
ton Iron Company in The same way
without dictstion from any except those
interegted
= Respectfully Yours,
SAMUEL LAUGHLIv,