New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-09-24

policy, the growth of Dolgevile was almost unno-
ticeable.
Then came the election of President Harrison
and Republican Congress; followed by the pas
sage of the Mckinley Tariff act. One of the fea-
lures Of the act was an increase of the duty upon
piano felt. The effect Of this action of Congress
TO bring back to the Dogeville fcltmaes
whatever trade they had lost and TO increase
greatly the volume of the sales of the factory
For two years past, therefore, Dolgeville has had
the greatest prosperity. At present the felt fac
tory is running night and day. Mr. Dolge's trade
grew to such an extent that he enabled to
lower the price of his felt. Free-Traders will be
gratifed to know that the price of piano felt to-
day is lower than it was when the Mckinley
Tariff act was passed Consumers thus al
ready getting the anticipated benefits Of the tariff
act What is also highly gratifying is the fact
that Mr.. Dodge has been given the power TO in
crease the wages of his men in the felt factory. In
the two years which have passed since the McKin-
ley tariff was passed wages in the factory have
been raised 90 1-2 per cent, and the work day has
been reduced from ten to nine and one-half hours.
This information about an increase Of wages
in Mr.. Dolges factory is positive. 1t is con-
frmed by the books of the firm and by
the testimony of Democratic workingmen in
the factory; which was given to me to-day
the fact that in January, 1890, the average wages
paid the men Daily in the felt factory were 81 rs;
in February, 81 81, and in March, 81 67, that was
about TIE rate of wages monthly the year the
Mckinley act became law. The record for 1891
is as follows: January, 81 05 is average daily
wages; February, 81 "a l-2; Aprils 81 50; May,
81 %; June, 81 "a; July, 81 80; April, 81 81;
October; ST Sc: November, $lfs7, and December,
81 81. The present year, 1892, the average rate
of wages paid was as follows: January, 81 SO
February, 81 81 Marchs 81 s. April, 81 90; May,
81 So; June, 81 10 rs; July, 81 81 5-s.
have also the testimony of the workmen them
selves that their wages have been increased since
the Mckinley bill was passed. Hiram Clemens
Democrat who works in the fulling department.
said to me: Il received 81 80 day in 1890.
Now | receive 81 CO day" James Phillips,
another Democrat employed in the fulng de-
partment said IL received 81 80 in 1890.
receive 81 10 now Another Democratic work,
ingman. who requested that his name should be
withheld "for political reasons" said L Ne
ceived $40 es a week in 1890 Now / receive
Sl3 so a week.
1t has been asserted by the Democratic press
that the men in the hammer department have
had their wages reduced. An examination OF the
firms books shows that the in this depart
ment are receiving weekly more than they did
in 1890. They are, il is true, paid less by the
piece but improved machinery enables them TO
make moro money. This statement was mnde
to me by w. NJ. Lanks, Democrat who is en-
ployed in the hammer department, and was con
firmed by bis feow-wor1men in that depart
ment
Mr. Dodge does not limit his payments Of money
to his workmen to the weekly wages. He has
contrived a plan for compensating them for the
care which they take Of his interests for the labor
they put upon his goods above what foreman
would require or for any invention which they
NAV make that will cheaper the cost OF produc-
ing felt or improve its quality. lie calls thls
plan carnng-sharing." In speech which he
made wear ago he concsely explained his motive
in adopting this system Of compensation and
what that system was, saying;
man ought to get what he earns as matter natter
n, right II pays in the end 10 give ii nm. lheIe
you have all my philosophy such as 1t T. .,nro u ne
production Of wealth the workman does ms sn urea az
well as the capitalist with his money ana ms Di''s
Give the workman his share as Vel as capital ana
brains their share This can be Sec tnS O vDce that at
nv worilmen Lad further interest In the results
NJ my business over and above their wages. deter
mined to give them the difference as matter ., OF
right reservng to myself simply tae meihod Oh avs
%Sn tT my nees n e FUTURE @a Of the
s SSsncss '0' The surplus is drbated follows;
poye who entePs our factory and not
over fifty years of age, after continuous service, Is
enneq A., 70 vers Of rvce After twenty-five years Of
continuous service be Is able to retire on fui pen
S'' .. An Insurance plan by which the lives Of all
the employees insured IN leading Mieinsufa .h,
Of Course In case an application for Insurance Is
bunk TO the credit of the uninsured and Invested Tor
him. A., o.,do,vrs.n, nlan by which each EN-.
ploye VITO has been With the firm over i've consecu,
ivc wears has credited TO him each year such an
f5xs
rs thar have paid him in N ts c.s l. by Sbarrd
against this account lie gets six per cent vo on ms
account the principal Of Which IS Gny p Gay NE
cets this only at death or when he reaches mes. las
sIs departure Al these benefits entirely in
dependent and outside The workpeopie's , resllar
part Of January then all take supper together
and make report to n my p9p nss OF and Ie @ them
ny plans for the future Each man gets his
50 that he can o see a1 for nse p1eou oy Of
hc amount for work produced over and above his
,Stonrn M scheme ' OF Earning hnrng near
WITS s5 70 @2 system e e me- ask point to posevS
with the enthusiastic cooperation Of our workpeople
we have established a peaceful indlsrious CON. com,
m,rery and poverty never raise their heads And yet
no man has received more than his strict dne
Since that speech was made an annual reunion
meeting has been held or January 30 of the
present year. Mr. DOG" AZ that meeting S'a'u
that since the introduction Of his earning -shar
inq, system he had paid out in its support the
large sam of SIsl427 OF. The reader should
understand that this sum was rot taken out Of
the wages of the woiSingmcn, but was granted
n them as their earnings above their wages.
The annual financial statement concerning this
earning sharing system showed that there had
been paid in the year / sol TO the pension fund
s3.31O49, in life insurance premiums $4047.47,
"a dcposits for those rejected by life Insurance
company $40 90, in pensions T. employees
Sl.Il7: that fourteen life insurance policies had
been issued raising the face value of policies