West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1892-10-13

VIM NhNs hau htdtN VI no wage advances
In any factory there. 1t may be OBJ
served that no paper printed in Fulton
county had published these reports.
The factory OF Alfred Dodge, OF Dodge
vile, n. Y, was also visited. Tho re-
port said that wages had been advanced
20 per cent. here. Dodge manufactures
piano feltS, sounding boards, cases and
other piano supplies. lie also makes felt
shoes and slippers. He employs alto
gethcr nearly 800 persons. 1t is the Gus
tom at Dolgeville to hold an annual re-
union. AT such times Mr.. Dodge, the
paternal proprietor of the place, makes
an address and announces the promotions
and advances in wages 10 be made for
the ensuing year. The new employees
who have been earning what may be re-
garded IA Apprenticeship wages and some
OF tho older employees who have served
their employer most faithfully, expect to
have their wages advanced at this time.
1t Is Dolgc's boast that in this way he
stimulates his employees TO do their best.
Twenty or twenty-five who have worked
hard and overearned their old wages of
perhaps Sl.25 or 81 81 per day, usually
get an advance OF about one shilling.
Many others are disappointed, but Dodge
gives them hope by telling them that il
they do their full duty their turn will
come next
At the reunion in February, 1891. be-
tween forty and fifty had their wages
advanced shilling each and the hours Of
labor We're reduced from 10 TO or. with
the promise 0he supply Of promises is
never shorD that il tho employees ac-
complished AZ much i'm 9l% hours as they
formerly had done in ten, tho hours
would bc further reduced 10 nine at the
next annual reunion. This advance in
wages was slightly moro than usual. IL
may be accounted for by knowing that
Dodge, 10y gross misrepresentation OF
facts, had been successful in 1890 in hav-
ing the duty on piano felts increased
from between 60 and 20 to an average of
about 100 per cent. Dodge already had
n monopoly of American made felt and
this would cut off much OF tho foreign
competition.
Besides, Inc had from n free trader In
1889 become most ardent protection
list, and had told his employees in his
speeches that higher duties meant higher
wages. The men intended to take him
at his word. In the next place Dodge
had been figuring TO get Tho Repul lican
nomination for congress IN his district
and knew the value OF such n move in
politics. Then, also, he appreciated the
advertising that his business would get
through Republican editors who were
securing tho political and Industrial
horizon to find Il case OF higher duties
followed by higher wages. IL ie also
saiG ny the worry best judges, both i'm and
ont OF his factory that hc Is making at
least 100 per cent. clear profit on his
felts, which ht sells for about S4 per
pound. If he had not made advances in
wages his own employees might have
exposed his greed and tho falsity Cf his
promises. He has gotten thousands of
dollars worth Of advertising and has
had his vanity ticklod by having his per-
sonplity and his business described in
nearly every Republican paper in the
lam, bat up 10 date he has not captured
the nomination for congress. He is.
however, on the New York Triluno's
list II millionaires, and az ho has made
his i'oney durilg tho last twenty years
his prospects are good. His standing
with the Republican party is now go
good that from ten TO twenty girls ara
New York state Republican committee.
In which to mail copies OF the DoIgevillo
Herald. This paper keeps the public
posted about Dolgeville and tells OF the
American tcfnc plate roofs being pat on
by Dodge. Competent judges say that
lac could get as good imported roofing
terne for Sl0.50 per box as ho now gets
for S16.j0.
But there is another side TO this case.
No wage advances occurred at Dodge
Vile this year. Some If those who OK
pected advances have been greatly dis
appointed and have asked for them
Moreover, the hours Of labor have not
been reduced 30 nine, though Dodge nd.
mitted in his speech that as much or
even more work had been done por hand
than in former years.
Nor have the changes in wages during
the last few years always been ad-
vances. Four years ago common labor
err la Dolge's employ received 81 80 per
day; they now get but Sl.2j. The price
for hauling lumber TO Little Falls has
been reduced from $l.5O per thousand
20 81, aud for coal from 10 20 3 cents per
100 pounds. These reductions affect at
least fifty or SIXTY employees i'm and out
Of the factory. During the last year tho
price for covering and trimming piano
hammers has been reduced from 23 and
o cents, respectively, ~ ~ and 8 cents
per set. Three years ago the felt shoe
makers got 80 cents per pair; they get
80 cents now. The girls IN the sine do.
partinent aud many others throughout
the mill have also had their wages re-
duced
Two-thirds Of the employees are
foreign born (mostly Germany, and II Is
said that only Republicans and foreign
ers have much chance Of promotion or
advancement under Dodge. Certain IL
Is that nearly every foreman and sub
boss IS a foreigner.
Reports said that wages had been ad-
yanced 10 per cent. at the Hawthorn
mills, az Glenville, Conn. These mills
employ 210 or 2i5-ab0ut 17J in tho
woolen department, where suitings.
cheviOts, etc, are made, and thirty OF
forty in the felt department, where pol
ishing felts are produced. Some Of the
employees interviewed had not heard Of
tho campaign wage advance report