Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-12-11
WITHOUT FOUNDATION.
The Publishing Concerns Saw
Of The Rumor
That Crews Are To 30 Decreased On Aeconr,
Of New machinery.

For several weeks past there hav,
been various rumors afioat to the effec
that the new addressing machines at tho
Vickery & Hill Publishing House am
at w. H. Gannett's would do away with
large number of the young ladies EN-.
ployed in that capacity, and that tho
reduction in the crew would be made
very soon.
When asked about the propose.]
I cnahge' hon. p. o. Vickery, senior
member of the firm of Vickery & Hill
said that there was but very little
foundation for such a rumor as the
new machine was added more to in
crease the capacity than to decrease
the help. and that between now and
spring. when there is always reduc-
ton in the crew, there would be no
great change, and few if any of those
employed would be discharged. He
stated that the machine at present was
more of an experiment than anything
| else. but that it was working very
satisfactorily. Mr.. Vickery also added
that should change be decided upon
at any time between now and spring,
that those who would be obliged to go
could. without any doubt find employ
ment in the shoe factory, so they need
mo zoo -,
employed.
When the representative of the Jour-
nal visited the establishment of w. H.
Gannett the following statement was
prepared for him to be given rs
authoritative:
while the introduction of any ma
chinery or any form of work in this
establishment is distinctly the business
of the corporation itself, and is not d
matter for public argument, we have
no hesitation in saying that at the
present time the use of mailing ma
chimes at this office is in an expert
mental state. 1t is impossible to have
any. plan under contemplation until
such machine is tested, but the expert
ment so far as we are concerned, is
merely to see how we can increase our
with any thought of the reduction OF
cur present force. Even if this were in
contemplation it would be impossible
at the present time to make any re-
duction as the experiment has not gone
far enough to give any real idea Of
what such a machine can be made to
do
In connection with the above state
ments conversation with gentleman
who knows the workings of this bust
ness as we'll as any other person. led
him to remark that the circulation of
such gossip and rumors was cruel on
the part of those who originated or en-
larged them. AS a matter of fact. no
establishment had said anything about
the prospective use of these machines
but the inference had been drawn that
they would do so much work that the
forces were to be largely reduced. This
inference had grown into rumOrs of
very tangible shape. which caused
great unrest and uneasness among
three CT four hundred people who We're
dependent for livelihood on this
class of work. He instanced case oi
rumor obtaining circulation and con
siderable belief to the effect that the
with reduction of 20 per cent which
grew from the fact that at one time
consultation as to how a temporary
curtailment Of expenses in case of con-
tinued poor business might be effected.
The reduction was never seriously con-
| templated and was only conditioned
upon certain circumstances which
never existed; and yet the rumor was
spread abroad and generally believed.
| in effect, that there was 10 ne cut
down in the girls wages. and caused
a great deal of unhappiness and ua-
easiness among these same people.
Furthermore this gentleman thought
that, considering the fact that every
Improvement in machinery and every
enlargement of capacity has been met
with a series of these same scare
rumors which have been received with
credulity, and that in no case mas
there ever been anything but an in
crease of working force, it would seem
to be time for people generally to
understand this. and to refuse to CIR
cu,ate stories which are founded upon
no authority whatever, ana ABOUT
which the very people circulating them
cannot by any possibility know the
interior reasons.
Miss Minnie Norcross of NO "a Grove
street while walking up Water street
Thursday afternoon, was struck ny
| ShnVQ1a0