The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-03
CHRISTIANITY In IRON.
HOW THE BRADFORD WORKS ARE
CONDUCTED.
Attention to the intellectual, Physical
and Moral Welfare OF the Employees
Profit Sharing-An Autocratic but
Kindly Dispensation.
J. Roe in the New York Post.

William j. Roe IN the New York Post
The Bradford Iron Works were founded
! by the grandfather Of the present senior
OF the great house in. | think, 1876 at any
rate soon after the close OF the second war
with Great Britain. From that time until
now they have been in continuous and
most successful operation, and (what drew
my attention 20 them and caused the visit
/ made) there never has been a strike
among the operatives nor disagreement Of
any sort between them and Bradford Bros.
| Il Co.
do not know that am at liberty to
give the exact location OF the town where
this industry is carried on, and disguise
it as WaterviIle, and adopt, ALSO n ficti-
tlous designation for the firm itself.
Provided with letter Of introduction
from common friend to the General Man
ager Whom shall call Mr.. Lowrie), |
went to Waterville by rail last October.
arrived at the station after dark, and not
wishing to intrude myself too abruptly, or
to appear to exact hospitality OF my friends
friend, inquired the way to an inn.
was told that there were two Of q reputable
sort in the place, both upon the one main
street. ! chose one, and set out on my
! way up the street. TO my right, at some
distance across an intervening valley, the
works showed plainly, and from tall chin.
ney-stacks great beacons OF fire burst out
constantly, making almost needless the gas
lamps along the streets. ! found THE
American" n very comfortable little hos
telry; and there, after a capital supper, fell
in with n stout, cOmforlablc.looking man,
past his prime, the marshal OF the place,
and the sole police force there was. From
him | cullcd not little Of the information
which propose, as briefly rs possible, TO
summarize. Wutcryillc has n population
Of about 5000, Of whom at the very least
G,OO0 are supported directly from the Brad
ford works, there being about 800 work
men In all. | was assured by the marshal
that his berth was an easy one, aud that
disorder was Of very rare occurrence.
The next day, having presented my Gre
deniias, | was received with great hospi-
taliiy by MIR. Lowric, and given every pos
sible opportunity Ia examine the works
and the system ON which they were opar-
atcd. Enclosed by u massive iron fence
was park OF some twenty acres on the
high land back OF the hotel, and in this
PARK were the residences Of the members
ul the firm and that Of Mr.. L0wrc. Each
had its own outbuildings aud gardens:
and the whole being substantially built Of
Fnu 4 A IA.
Ovcrhung with ancient trees, formed "A
beautiful picture OF rural life. The DWELL
ings oi the work-pcoplc clustered about the
park, aud surrounded the opposite hill,
aud were without exception, solidly built
Of either stone or brick, aud exceedingly
tasteful Each had liz own yard or gar.
den, perhaps 50xlOO feet or thercabout.
This being invariably bva tail.
painted fence, | was unable 10 Judge
whether the enclosures were kept neatly
or otherwise. The streets, however, were
kept Ia most admirable order, at least
those upon the lands OF the firm. was
told that, apart from certain r..
striclions rs 10 the use OF the streets
and strict sanitary rules no control
whatever IL assumed over the tenants, and
the universal human desire for social free
dom Is respected. For ball playing aud
field sports there is a large level field ON
the outskirts, aud in the center Of the place
q fine building called tho Social Hall"
containing one large lecture room and sov.
oral smaller. where entertainments are
given. There also Is a library and reading
room. On the first floor are stores gro
cors, butchers, bakers. dry goods, drugs,
aud 30 ON. These are managed by an agrnt
OF The firm, conducted On u purely cash ba.
| sis, aud In no sense Of the nature of cp-op-
Grafton stores although the prices arc cx.
cccdingly low, being based upon slight
| percentage over wholesale rates. not more
than sufficient 10 pay the cost OF MANAGE
mont With scarcely m exception, the
employees trade here, although there are
mo- restrictions ~ TO anyone buying else.
where. Here also l. "a restaurant, Whom
anyone lcmploycs or mott may board, aud
this is very generally ayailcd of los the uu-
married, the price OF a weeks table board
being fixed at -. Both nj noon aud NJ
seven % clock there u u table d'holo NJ 20
cents Tor those Who, by signing u paper
have secured a seat un the previous day;
otherwise the price IL raised 10 a quarter
II is cheap enough, even at that, "a the
following monu, changed daily, will serve
10 show.
soUP.