Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1896-04-03
BAD STATE OF AFFAIRS.
The SeatcO Company Will Not Pay
Its Employees.

Its employees.
Ed. STANDARD:
The employees OF the Seatco Manu-
featuring Co. are having considerable
trouble with the company OF late,
which ended 10y some of the men be-
ing discharged and many quitting
work. The trouble arose from the
company not paying but six dollars to
each Of their employees since last No
vember and then only paying up to
the end OF October.
During the past few weeks the COM
pany has shipped about million feet
of lumber and have orders for 600, 900
more feet, which order the company is
now loading on the cars.
The men have frequently asked
when they were to be paid, but being
answered evasivelv they became tired
of working any longer without either
their pay or some definite understand
ing as TO when they would be paid.
Last Thursday the men met together
in the mill yard during noon to discuss
the matter and decided to not work
any longer until they had some sssur-
ance from Mr.. Francis Rotch, the
President of the company, as to his
intentions. Some of the more radical
men had petition for the men to
sign, and 60 in together and stop the
train of cars just loaded from leaving
the yard until their claims were satis-
fed, in the event OF their interview
with Mr. Rotch not being satisfac-
tory. Before | o'clock it was learned
that Mr.. Rotch was fishing, with his
brother, SO the men decided to work
that afternoon and see him in the
morning.
Mr.. Rotch returned in the afternoon
at about p. NJ. and learning what the
men had proposed, evidently made up
his mind to stop them working their
scheme together by interviewing each
man separately and thereby take adj
vantage of their poverty by offering
them the choice Of their wages then
and there and the loss OF their posi-
ton, or to work and get their money
when he was ready TO give it to them.
Some traitors had given the mems
names to the company, and Mr.. Rotcb
called each man into the office and
gave them the above choice. The re-
suit was six men were discharged, and
though the rest went back to work it
was very discontentedly.
The men express themselves as be-
ing treated unfairly. They only
wanted information. and they sup
posed Mr.. Rotch would be manly
enough to explain why it was that
they have not been paid their wages
due since last November. They think
it strange that the mill officers can
live luxuriously in elegantly furnished
houses and employ Chinese servants
to wait upon them and yet not pay
them their wages. 1t is thought
strange, too, that Mr.. Rotch has
money enough to 60 to Olympia and
lay his plans for the Republican nom.
instion for Senator and spend the
money necessary for such work, and
let his working men suffer for the ne
cessaries OF life, let alone the luxuries.
Mr.. Rotch's plan was not the success
he thought it was. Saturday the men
who returned to work began to quit
and demand their pay. Many quit
and the rest are in a rebellous state.
A few we'll chosen words Of explain
alton on the part OF Mr. Rotch would
have settled the matter. The debts of
the company are evidently large, IS
loggers are complaining of not being
paid. OBSERVER.
BUCoDA, WASH, March %, 1895.