St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-09-08
AN OPEN LETTER.
To the Citizens of the Twin
Cities

The shoe manufacturers of st. Paul
and Minneapolis have decided at this
time OF unprecedented financial depreS-
sion to offer you plain and unequivo-
cal statement of facts which have not
been adequately understood by a ma
jority of the people of the two cities.
The facts presented have direct and
practical bearing upon subject of vital
Importance, demanding the serious con-
Slderation of thoughtful men through
out tile country, viz: What shalt be
done for the army of honest wage earn
ers whose profitable employment has
suddenly ceased? The unforeseen de-
crease OF our currency circulation has
brought about condition which has
Silenced the wheels of production in
thousands of the most prosperous fac
tories in the land, with attendant re-
suits we could not do justice to in this
article.
The people of this important Western
commercial center have always man.
ifested unbouuded enthusiasm for cur
manufacturing industries and enter
prises, which have made US rival of
the Older Eastern sections in many i'm
portant directions. But for various rea-
sons they have failed to keep pace with
our growth in certain lines of prOduc-
aided by the public press. AS loyal
citizens of cities whose growth and ma
terial development for the past quarter
century has constantly stirred your
hearts with patriotic pride, we ask your
careful consideration of the facts we
present.
There are in the Twin Cities several
shoe factories, established for many
years, constantly employing some 5000
hands when in operation, and disburs-
ing upwards of a million of dollars per
year In wages. Upon their earnings
fully 10000 people depend for support,
while the large number of travelling
men. statesmen and Office assistants en-
pl0yed, draw salaries aggregating
million dollars more. This money Is
| necessarily spent almost wholly right at
home, contributing heavily to the sup
port of our social. educational, relig-
i0us, municipal and other institutions.
Can you oyereStimate the Importance
of such factories To the communities
where they are located? Today, through
no fault of either employers or em-
ployeS. these factories are shut down,
5000 willing workers are idle, and 10000
people have no means of support. And
yet. even in times Of utmost depression,
like this. this trouble might be avoided.
The factories we represent make all
grades OF shoes needed for every class
of trade. We have the best and most
modern machinery known. The very
latest improvements are introduced as
soon as they appear. LII all our later
facilities and equipments we are fully
abreast of the oldest aud largest shoe
manufacturing cities of the East We
employ the most skilled labor and use
the best materials to lie had in all de-
partmentS. We use no Shoddy Of any
kind whatever, and our goods have a
high reputation for style. fitting quail
ties, durability and general excellence
wherever sold. We have displaced our
Eastern competitors in thousands of
cases in vast Northwestern and South.
western area from Lake Michigan to
the Pacific coast, and practically con-
troll the shoe trade west of the MiSniS-
sippi.
We make all grades of shoes, both
fine and medium priced, which the peO-
pie can safely buy. but do not compete
against the cheap Eastern-made goods
50 freely offered at ''cut price" sales
| and dear at any figure. For ladies and
misses we make the finest, French and
American kid hand-turned shoes in all
styles, sizes and widths, aud all the
new and standard styles of goods the
demand requires. They are perfect in
fit and fashion, and will suit tile
most faStIdious taste. For men, we
have the fine French C0rdovan, French
calf, fine Kangaroo goods, etc, etc i'm
all the latest and popular styles and
patterns, genuine hand-sewed work. and
| the. best that can be made. We also
make all the medium-priced and
heavier grades OF shoes for ladies,
misses and children, men and boys.
|. including neat and serviceaole goods
for the workshop, the factory.
the farm and general country trade.
These, we assure you. are the best for
the money that can be tounG, with wear
ing qualities and general excellence un-
surpassed. Nothing inner than we make,
| nothing more stylish or better flung,
nothing more durable. 10 better value
for the money are made anywhere i'll
The world than those produced here III
st. Paul and minneapolis. Then why
not use them in preference to any 9TH
ers?
In these two cities about three million
dollars are expended annually for shoes,
but small part of which are made
here. If our citizens would interest
| themselves i'll the hOme-nia gouds.
cur production might soon be doubled,
ana put another million of money into
local circulation. In fact. we could
easily produce all the shoes for the con-
sumption of the Twin Cities, and there
is no reason why we should not have
larger proportion of the local patronage.
Our interests are Identical, ana each
buyer should count it his pleasant duty
to give us the support our products
merit. BY patronizing home institu-
tons, where reliable, you benefit Your
self first, aud then every local interest
from the laborer to the banker.
Call for our goods whenever buying.
Through large part of the United
States they are known to be the Very
best; then why not give them fair
trial at home? Ask your retailer 10 show
YOU the homemade goods, and insist on
having them. When shown you, look
Oh the sole for the name OF the following
st. Paul or Minneapolis makers. plainly
stamped in the leather, as a sure guar
antee Of excellence. 1t is reasonable
request that we make, and having Gained
your attention to facts many could not
have understood, we believe you will
cooperate with us in the future for tue
advancement of home industries. Will
you do it?
BE sure that the name of one of the
undersigned manufacturers is plainly
stamped on the sole of each shoe.
G. GOTHAM & Co.,
Srf,r,