The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1892-09-15

e-t-r',A 40 a pItuLlctoulY wages and some
Of the older employees who have served
their employer most faithfully. expect to
have their wages advanced at this time.
1t IS Dolge's boast that in this way he
stimulates his employees to do their best.
Twenty or twenty-five who have worked
hard and orerearned their old wages of
perhaps $l.25 or $1.571S per day. usually
get an advance of about one shilling.
Many Others are disappointed. but Dodge
gives them hope by telling them that if
they do their full duty their turn viii
come next
At the reunion in February, 1891, be
tween forty and fifty had their wages
advanced shilling each and the hours of
labor were reduced from 10 to 91s, with
the promise (the supply of promises is
never shortl that if the EMPLOYEES ac-
complished as much in o. hours as they
formerly had done in ten, the hours
would be further reduced to nine at the
next annual reunion This advance in
wages was slightly more than usual. 1t
may be accounted for by knowing that
Dodge. by gross MISREPRESENTATION of
facts, had been successful in 1890 in hay
ing the duty on piano felts increased
from between co and 20 to an average of
about 100 per cent. Dodge already had
monopoly of American made felt and
this would cut of much of the foreign
competition
Besides, he had from free trader in
1928 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 the Repul iican
nomination for congress m his district.
and knew the value of such a mssve in
politics. Then, also, he appreciated the
advertising that his business would get
through Republican editors who were
securing the political and Industrial
horizon to find case of higher duties
followed by higher wages. 1t is also
saic. by the very best judges, both in and
out of his factory that he is making at
T least 100 per cent. clear profit on his
felts, which he sells for about s4 per
pound. If he lad not made advances in
wages his own employees might have
exposed his greed and the falsity Of his
promises Hc has gotten thousands of
dollars worth of advertising and has
had his vanity tickled by having his per-
sonslity and his business described in
nearly every Republican paper in the
LAM, but mp to date he has not captured
the nomination for congress. He is,
however, on the New York Tribune's
list Of millionaires, and as he has made
his iaoney during the last twenty years
his prospects are good. His standing
with the Republican party is now so
good that from ten to twenty girls are
kept busy addressing wrappers for the
New York state Republican committee,
IN which to mail copies of the Dolgeville
Herald. This paper keeps the public
posted about Dolgeville and tells of the
American terne plate roofs being put on
by Dodge. Competent judges say that
he could get as good imported roofing
terne for 5000 per box as he now gets
for s16.50.
But there is another side to this case.
No wage advances occurred at Dodge
vile this year. Some of those who ex-
pected advances have been greatly dis
appointed and have asked for them
Moreover, the hours of labor have NOT
been reduced to nine, though Dodge adj
mitted in his speech that as much or
even more work had been done per hand
than in former years.
Nor have the changes in wages during
the last few years always been ad-
vances- Fonr years ago common labor
ers in Dolgo'5 employ received 81 30 per
day; they now get but $l.25. The price
for hauling lumber to Little Falls has
been reduced from $3.50 per thousand
to 81, and for coal from 10 to cents per
100 pounds These reductions affect at
least fifty or sixty employees in and out
of the factory. During the last year tho
price for covering and trimming piano
hammers has Leen reduced from 90 and
cents, respectively, TO 10 and cents
per set. Three years ago the felt shoe
makers got 30 cents per pair; they get
30 cents now. The girls in the shoe de-
partment and many others throughout
the mill have also had their wages re-
duced.
Two-thirds Of the employees are
foreign born (mostly Germany, and it is
said that only Republicans and foreign
ers have much chance of promotion or
advancement under Dodge. Certain it
is that nearly every foreman and sub
boss is a foreigner.
Reports said that wages had been ad-
vanced 10 per cent. at the Hawthorn
mills, at Glenville, Conn. These mills
employ 210 or 215-about l75 IN the
woolen department, where suitings,
CucNlOts3 etc., are made, ana thirty or
forty in the felt department, where poll
ishing felts are produced. Some of the
employees interviewed had not heard of
the campaign wage advance report.
When shown it they were quick to de-
nounce it as lie, and began to tell Of
the numerous reductions of the last
year. One employee said, eff had
known you were going to be here 4
could have prepared list Of reductions
yard long,
In the woolen department about eighty
mem -all Hungarians, Poles, Russian
Jews. Swedes and Danes, except six or
eight Germans-had their wages re-
duced in june. 1892, from 81 and S1.15
per day to 80 cents and 81. In the dye
room ten men-all Poles-were reduced
from 81 to 80 cents, and Managor Hunt
has since told the boss dyer not to pay
over so cents per day. The men at first
refused to accept these wages, but are
now back at work In the felt depart
ment all are men and foreigners (same
class as above). During Cleveland's ad-
Ininistration they got s1.15 day; they
have for over three years been receiving
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