New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-29
DOLGETILLE REUNION.
A STRIKING OBJECT-LEsSON FOR AMER
ICAN WORKINGMEN.
TIE "MKINLEY YEARS WERE THE MOST lf'oS'
Ferrous on RECORD. WHILE THE CLENE-
Land ADMINISTRATION AND THE WILL

SON BILL BRING RUIN
Do,seyills y. Y, Jan. 2s-Thc twen'y-hfh annual
reunion of the employees Of Alfred Dodge was hcid
here last night The Dolgcville reunions heve always
been of gree, interest because Of the pToitshar.ng
gvs;ein in vogue in Mr.. Dogr's factories The
proCta earned bv the men during the year are
aiy,avs distributed at these reunions. II has been
Mr. Dolge's custom in the past 10 invite hls en-
poycs 70 a banquet. This year owing to the clos
ing Of the mills and the consequent hardsh3s
necessarily suffered by the workmen Mr.. bolge
decided not 10 give banquet but to present ms
chec,, for $50 to committee TO he selected by the
EMPLOYEES the proceeds 20 be used In relieving any
distress that may occur among the employees ana
their fanilies during the winter. The reunion this
year was of exceptional interest. because or me
widespread distress that prevails In the WOODEN
Industry as Il result of the proposed changes III
the tariff by the Wilson bill, and because OF "A
very general desire the part Of economists
manufacturers and workmen to know how a proht-
sharing system had Jared in "A year OF uhprece-
dented business depression
Mr. DOLCE made a more extended address to his
men than at previous reunions and told them some
very ,lain truths concerning the effects OF Free
Trade upon the Industries Of America lie INFORMED
them that they had earned sufficient profits to IN
crease the pension list and provide for the payment
Of insurance premiums. as well as for an increase
in the number Of policies. bat that nothinS IA"
been earned beyond the regular wages. IN addi-
spoke IN part as follows;
in reviewing our business for III" years 1871 anu
1892 was able TO report to you that they were
ne most successful years We have had Each year
| could announce rise In wages. ana never nave
YOU enjoyed steadicr employment than in those
wears They will be known in the history OF orr
country as the two years of sound economical policy
embodied in the Mckinley Tariff law by which the
purchasing power Of the masses was Increased TO
such an extent that all the factories throughout
the land were busy every working day In IN" year
Although we did not enjoy the much-lauded prvi-
ege of supplying the Kafirs of Zululand. the BUSH
whackcrs OF Australia. the Hindoos OF East lndia or
the coolies of China with the products OF our fac
tories our home markets consumed all thnt America
could make. And all this IL reversed ana AT
this our twenty-fifth reunion. am compelled 10
offer aid to men who have worked with us. who
can and are willing to work. and yet are forced
70 the level OF mendcants merely because supreme
Ignorance and concet reign al Washington.
For the first time in ,wenty-fv years our fac
tories are closed for want OF ordefs The hrst year
of the Reform Era is the darkes, page in the
records Of business. and not By any fault OF
most herculean efforts we manasei TO ke@p our our
factories running until December -. whiic thou-
sands OF factories were forced to shut Iowt en-
rey or partially as soon as me serrrry OF come ne
munity last June.
Il have not much to say to yon, le tn on
il it were not for the reasons giye YOU would nav
earned good wages. But, unlOrtunattl!' some oI
YOU who earn 81 % per day In the factory have
been compelled to work part of the year alongside
Italians shovelling dirt for 81 - per day, Tear
that The majority OF felt-makers viii hence
forth have to work in the factory FOR the same
wages Italians get shovelling dirt The Wilson
bill will compel II.
III the duty wool Is removed. our American
woOl-growcr mus, stop raising sheep, ana thOu-
sands Of American farmers Will be deprived 81
their income which this by-industry Yields them.
After losing their home supply. American manu-
fac,urers will have bid up the price Of foreign
wool in order to induce foreign woJgrowers TO in
crease their herds. Our Government Will lose the
revenue from the duty wool. American farmers
win lose their income; American manufacturers
will have 10 pay nearly as much Tor WOOL Whie
foreign manufacturers VIII be able TO HOOD our
market with the products OF cheap labor.
According custom ! give you now the nBur"s
OF the working OF my systc OF earning sharing
during the year 1896. Nothing could be credited 10
endowment account this year. The unsatisfactory
state of business prevented any one from producing
more than ne was paid In wages. You VIII re-.
member that for the year 1891. 8.ei was credited
10 your endowment accounts. and i2r lss2 uhe
last Of the Mckinley years.. A25O 10. In other
words besides your Losses on wages you have lost
about 81 Op0 In addition. To sum AL expenditures
the firm made account Of earninS-sharing during
the year 1895.
For pensions. .sl,i5 -
EfY In gftra