The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-10-31

company on account Of the large increase
in its business during the past sixty days
and the bright prospects for a continuance
Of the increased business in the future.
At the head of the indianapolis stove
company is Henry G. Bennett, whose true
republicanism no one can question. He
accompanied ex-President Harrison upon
his stumping tour through the state and
was one Of the conspicuous figures in that
distinguished party. He is entrusted with
all the secrets Of his party and his voice
Is always heard in its secret councils.
Henry G.. Bennett prides himself upon
his stanch republican views and jealous
support Of that party in all things under
all circumstances and upon all occasions.
He is even treasurer of the republican
county central committee.
So, then. with the keynote Of the pres
ent republican campaign a prolonged
calamity wall Of depressed industry
blighted enterprise. starvation wages and
idle wOrkmen. Henry G.. Bennett was con-
fronted with a situation embarrassing in
the extreme. His business was increasing
at phenomenal rate orders We're pour
ing in, men were working hard and late
70 keep up with the rushing business. and
Henry G. Bennett saw that ne could
not consistently keep his wages reduced.
His men saw the improved conditions and
naturally expected fair treatment. So. in
order to show them that he was fair
minded, he advanced wages all along the
line few days ago. but with the implied
understanding that nothing was to be
said about it until after the election.
But it was too good TO keep and the
H.
ing the calamity howl Of the republican
party. one Of Henry c. Benefits en-
ployes replied that he had personal knowI-
edge to the effect that wages were being
raised in several Industries and business
was improving with every returning
morning sun. He was asked for proof of
his statement and rashly gave the secret
away. The indianapolis stove company
and Henry G.. Bennett had raised the
wages of their employees and the increase
had been caused by the wonderful revival
of business.
The Sentinel called up the indianapolis
stove company yesterday afternoon by
telephone and the following conversation
took place:
First, a boys voice was heard at The
phone, and he was asked If Henry G. Ben
nett. president Of the indianapolis stove
company was there.
Yes. sir; wait a minute"
a moment after, another voice was
heard
"Hellor'
rs this Mr.. Henry Bennett?"
Yes"
Mr. Bennett, we understand from good
authority that the Indianapolis stove COM
pany has raised vases voluntarily in all
IL
true?''
"Eh-h-h-well-wait minute, please"
Turning from the phone, Mr.. Bennett
was heard 10 call Otto Schermer, the head
bookkeeper Of the firm. to the phone, as
he said he was busy. Some one wants To
know about wages" he was heard to say
10 Schermer
Mr.. Schermer took the phone.
Hello Mr.. Schermer, we want to know
If it's true that the Indianapolis stove
company has voluntarily raised the wages
OF its employees within the past week or
two. We understand that the revival OF
business has caused that action"
Yes. it's true. We have raised wages
all along the line. They had been re-
duced some on account Of the panic Of
last year, but they have now been paced
back II the old standard"
What caused this increase of wages,
Mr.. Schermer2"
wei. improve. but who is this.
Please"
The indianapolis Sentinel"
The Sentinel. Hold on minute
You'll have 10 talk 10 some one Of the
firm about this. I haven't any authority
To say anything. Wait and I'll cal Mr.
Bennett. but he's gone out now and
viii be back in half hour. Couldn't you
you say Mr.. Bennett has gone out?''
YES. that is-he's outside. Hell
be in directly
The voice Of Mr.. Schermer was heard
TO turn from the phone and he said:
Say. this is The Sentinel talking"
Hello. Sentinel. cal. up Mr.. Bennett IN
two minutes. He'll be back then"
Isn't Mr.. Bennett sitting there in the
ofice?'
private matter and we want TO talk il
over little. Cal up in two minutes"
Two minutes later The Sentine. called
up the Indianapolis stove company again,
and a masculine voice replied.
rs this Mr.. Henry G. Bennett?"
Yes; is this The Sentine.?''
yes. sir. We have understood that
you have advanced the wages Of your en-
plOyes within the past few days; has there
BEEN such an advance, Mr.. Benneu?"
None whatever. SIR
But. Mr.. Bennett. one Of your en-
pioyes told me less than three days ago
that you had voluntarily advanced wages
in your factory al along the Inc"
That must be a mistake. SIR
@Well, then, the man lied, did hep
well, / wouldn't say that, but the
wages in our establishment have not been
raised
THE report that such was the case,
then. is a mistake. is it?'
Most emphaticaliy it is"
There is no truth in it. then, at alp
Not the slightest"
Now. Mr.. Bennett, less than five min
utes ago Mr.. Otto Schermer, your head
bookkeeper. informed me over this same
telephone that you had raised wages all
along the line. He deliberately lied to me,
then. did he?''
Hello How's that2"
Il say, less than five minutes ago your
head oOokkeeper. Mr. Otto Schermer told
me that you had raised wages IN your
factory a. along the line within the past
few days he lied to me. did he?"
''Well-say, wait a minute"
There was absolute silence for about
four minuras. The Sentinel man con
tinued to ho.d his ear 10 the phone
patiently. He wasn't getting a bit tired.
Some way It was getting interesting Just
ike a play. Then the silence was broken
BY the voice Of the president Of the COM
pany:
"He,lol say. now, II there has been an
advance in wages do not know anything
about it. I hadn't heard Of it."
rs 1t possible that there could have been
a general advance Of wages in the estsD-
lishment OF which you are the head with
out your knowing anything about it?"
"Weh. It's hardly Hkely-but-of