Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1892-08-19

work for the Estey Organ company and
who have worked there themselves Town
officers and men of prominence in 9th
er sections Of this state have become
workmen for this company, while men
have been called from their employ
ment Eat the shops 10 be elected to
positions Of confidence and trust So far
as | know, few, if any, of their workmen
have ever been in the employ of any other
mandatory of musical instruments and.
comparatively speaking, few exchange
their employment here for that of any
other organ works in the world There
are many men who have worn out their de-
clining years in the service of this com
pany and their children grow up to take
their places at the bench. There are men
in their employ today. who have been
with them ever since Col Fuller and Col.
Estev became members of the firm in
1866. and some of them ever since Jacob
Estey became interested in this business.
and one of them since the first stroke of
work on musical instrument in Brattle-
boro in 1916.
] should not do justice to this communi-
~ without briefly alludinu 10 the co6pera-
tive and beneficial effect of healthy and
substantial influence and support from our
er manufacturers and mechanics. people Of
trades. bankers, and. in fact. the whole
community, who have always been ready
10 join hands with the Estev Organ com
pany in their efforts to promote such pros
perity that love. peace and plenty may be
found in every home.
1t has been said that the machine power
of England is equal TO the manual labor
power of 6OO,OO0,0OO people. This revo-
luton in the manner of performing labor
has had It's effect here. Once labor toiled
and capital superintendent. now, capital
tolls 10y the machine and labor superin-
tends the machine. The cost of produc-
ton Is greatly reduced 10y a decrease of the
number of wOrkmen required The change
IN the last quarter of a century in the
manner of making an organ is. indeed,
wonderful and largely the result of local
talent and invention. which, in improve
meut, has exceeded nearly all other en-
Payments Of labor If they were to 90
back 10 the same system of labor that was
in use when Col. Fuller and Col. Estev be-
came members OF the firm. it would re-
quire from 1900 TO 1900 men at the shops
to meet the present demands Of the Estev
Organ trade
This introduction OF machinery into the
factory has wrought a constant decrease of
manual labor for the same product. The
fact that the employees are now about the
same in number, or few more than be-
fore the use OF so much machinery is
wholly due to the great increase in the sale
Of the Manufactured product. Forty years
ago Deacon Estey, as the salesman. hand
led nearly the whole product of the facto-
ry; but since then a quarter of a million
Fsrfu hon. r..r.. IL
merce and consumption and about 300
selling agents are in the employ Of the
company.
Whether great or moderate fortunes
have been amassed is not my theme to de-
bate; but We as citizens are SO profoundly
interested that we all sincerely hope that
the return has been amply sufficient to
maintain this great industry in the future
As III the past. and that the men lat the
helm may have been SO prospered that
they can keep on and on with their gener-
Gus and good deeds, in which they have
been sustained by the members OF their
households. whose hearts are full of love
and pride for all our people.
We realize that these great works are not
wholly ours they belong TO the state and
the nation. The Estey Organ company is I
worldwide in reputation and renowu
Their manner OF handling labor, keeping
their employees and the whole people free 4
from agitation. sustained and huoved up
on every hand 10y the community. Is well .
worthy of careful study and imitation F.
elsewhere.
May additional fame and success await /
them. may their machines, benches. and /
continue 10 be adorned by /
the skill and intelligence which is now pos
Sessed 10y their workiuEmen and women.
under the protecting care and munifcent
blessings of the Great Ruler of the Uni /
verse