The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1897-03-24
A WORD OF WARNING.
Prison Binding Irvine Attacked
Hon. H. E. Boon Sounds
the Alarm.

We take the following from the last
issue OF the Fergus Fails Globe:
1.-THE outcome Of the conference at
LABOR headquarters last night be-
tween a number Of representative
business men and the executive coun-
Gil OF the State Federation of Labor.
was the Endorsement of bill to stop
the employment Of free labor in the
manufacture Of Irvine in the Stillwat-
er prison. 1t was decided that the
mercan tile and manufacturing inter
ests involved draw up measure and
present it to the council for considera-
tion and possible approval.
There we're present at last nights
meeting Mr. A. Kirk, Of Ozmun,
Kirk & Co.; L. G. Prior and NJ. o. Mel
son, representing the Deere & Weber
Company, In Minneapolis; G. E. Ben
nett, OF the Standard Rope and Irvine
Company, ID Minneapolis; Z. J. Fair
child, of Linday Bros, Minneapolis,
and Jacob Boldner. Of the Northwest
ern Cordage Co., of St. Paul.
"They argued that the prison au-
thorites in figuring the cost of Irvine
do not consider the wear and tear
on the machinery, and by other meth
DDS succeed in bringing the price down
compete with the prod uct. st. Paul
Dispatch. March Is, 1897.
There you have 1t. The "represen-
tative business men," and the Estate
Federation Of Eabor," solemnly re
solve to stop the manufacture of bind
Ing Irvine by the state at Saltwater.
Why? Because it interferes with
the plundering Of the farmers on the
item of binding Irvine.
The writer hereof originated the
idea Of manufacturing binding Irvine
at the penitentiary, for two reasons:
First. to give employment to con-
vict labor In field where it would not
interfere materially with free labor
Second. to forever break up the
Irvine trust.
AS chairman Of a committee of the
executive committee Of the State
Farmers Alliance, appointed TO lay the
matter before the Legislature and the
governor, l, through the aid of Hon.
John HOmpe, who was then chair
man Of the House committee on ap-
preparations secured the adoption of
my plan by the state.
The other members Of the commit
tee were John J. Furlong and J. N.
Jones, but they refused to assist in
the work assigned to them and had
to 90 it alone.
The moment that the State went
into the Irvine business prices fell, and
have ever since remained low.
These "businesS men" and the State
Federation of Labor have now con-
spired to destroy the State Irvine fac
tory, and to rob the farmers as Of old.
In the name Of the farmers of this
state l secured the esta blishment of
the Irvine factory in the state institu-
tion in Saltwater, and In the name of
the farmers, taxpayes, Of this state, I
protest against the destruction Of
that factory, as it is in the interest of
the Irvine trust to destroy it. II the
State, the farmers, lost half million
dollars year en- that Irvine plant it
would still pay them to keep it in op-
Grafton. UALDOR E. BOEN.
II this great wrong is to be consum-
mated it is to be during the last days
Of the session, now a month off. We
endorse Mr.. Boen's appeal. Let the
Cry Of alarm be sounded. Get up Pc
titions and send them in to the House
and Senate. Write to your members
and senators. Leave nothing undone
Just as certain as that twine-plant is
removed from the penitentiary just so
surely the price of Irvine will rise to
the old-time fgurs, and the trust will
plumber the farmers to their hoart's
content.
BE alive and move promptly.