The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-03-23
Our Poor Mill Owners and Their PrOs-
porous WOrkmen.

Our Poor Mill Owners and Their Pros
porous WOrkmen.
(By B. o. Flower)
The advocates of the corporations are
greatly concerned for the welfare of the
stockholders in our great New England
mills. True, it does not appear that it
has been necessary to pass dividends,
and the office holders enjoy princely SAL
aries. But corporations are long-headed;
they and their well-paid organs are
thinking OF the remote future and in
contemplation of the day which may
come, when the dividends will not be so
large. and when it may be necessary to
cut down the officers salaries to, say,
$4,000 OR even $4,000 a year, their hearts
grow heavy. Why, the very thought OF
what calamity that would be, to pass
dividends and reduce the salaries of Off
GERS, starts the cold prespiration on the
brow of the editor of our corporation
owned press. We are assured that the
wretched starvation wages being paid
to the workmen are greater than those
paid to less skilled laborers in the sunny
South, and therefore the wage slaves
ought not to complain If, in their wis
dom, the corporations see fit to still
further reduce their wretched pittance.
The fact that the corporations are MAX
mo UOnd nrnfitc and navinp nrinpp1V
salaries to Office holders, or that the cost
of living in the South is far less than it
is in the North, weighs for nothing with
the unco guild editors, who are so solicit
owner, and who seem to feel it their
bOunden duty to preach lessons of obedi-
ence to the laboring man and to tell him
he must be more economical This ten
der solicitude for the poor corporations
and their suffering officials is very
touching and we can easily imagine the
rude shock they must have experienced
on reading a recent graphic exposure of
the false pretenses Of the corporations by
the Boston Post. This journal, by the
simple device of the deadly parallel,
rent in twain the elaborate curtain of
sophistry, which the numerous servants
of the corporations have woven with
infinite care. Below l give the two ty-
p1cal cases as given by the Boston Post
of Jan. 16, one representing the con-
dition of the poor mill owner and his
family, the pther the case of a typical
mill hands condition.
"A TYPICAL MILL OWNER.
Andrew G. Pierce, for years treasurer
Of Wamsutta Mill and now president
lives at 103 Spring street, estimated SAL
ary of $4,000 year, or S77O week.
Believed to be richest man in New
Bedford
Family Of wife and seven children.
One son. Andrew G. Pierce, Jr., is
treasurer of Pierce and other mills
with a salary of $4,000 year.
Another son, Edward T., is treasurer
Of Wamsutta Mill, salary $4,000 year.
Assessed for SO, 400 worth of real estate
and $35,35O personal property.
Holdings in different mill properties
and various enterprises do not show on
city records.
House richly furnished throughout.
Goes to his office and leaves there
when ready
Table for three meals a day spread
with the best and choicest food.
Keep several servants.
Family enjoy vacation trips abroad
and have all the luxuries money can
command
Is a citizen and voter.
A TYPICAL MILL HAND.
Mattin Ofinger, weaver in the Acush.
net Mill, highest earnings, per week, S.
Regarded as fair representative of
the mill workman.
Family of wife and two children.
This week only earned SO.
Lives at First and South street, in
upper part of house in three rooms; rent
per week $3.50.
Goes to work at 6:15 a. m. and is
through at o'clock p. m.
Usual breakfast of bread without but
ter, chicory coffee sweetened with brown
sugar without milk, and occasionally
sausage.
Has meat once week.
Cannot afford to buy coal for fire, bit
wife and children pick up wood and
chips to burn.
Not carpet in the house.
Total worth of possessions, 500.
Been married fourteen years.