Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1898-04-14
much TO their surprise. ana wholly nm

much to their surprise, and wholly un-
known TO me. n verdict was given
against our firm, and not until months
after did it dawn upon any OF our peo-
pie that the prosecution could have
oeen inspired by politics, and that the
verdict might not, be accident. but the
result Of methods.
FROM ANOTHER STANDPOINT.
This is viewing the case from the
most unfavorable standpoint, to our
firm. Let us take the other view; that
our buyer did employ this foreigner,
and that he did pay his passage to
America. This fellow was recommend
ed as a skilled labOrer OF a class un-
known to the American trade, was said
to have served an apprenticeship OF
many years-unlike the American
salesman. he had picked pins and
wound ribbon for a year. He had la
bored a term of years in a factory, and
knew how every silk product was
made.
He had learned the ladies' tailoring
business. He was able to suggest har-
monious and becoming colors. and to
tell accurately the number of yards OF
n given width required for any style,
for a person of any size. He was a
skilled and artistic window dresser; in
fact. il was believed that he combined
the learning of the manufacturer. the
knowledge and taste of the dressma-
ker, the ability of the salesman and the
art of the window trimmer. To attain
this proficiency required a dozen years
of plodding work, such as the Ameri
can salesman will not do.
But our silk buyer, believing he saw
an opportunity to increase the effcien-
cy of his department, did encourage
this man 10 make PHILADELPHIA his
place of residence and shaped things
so that he became q salesman in his
department. believing that the smart,
quick Yankee salesman would learn
from the Ensiishn-ln in a few
months ali that il had taken him years
to learn, thereby giving our salesman
the benefit Of the EEElishman's ex-
perience and long term of apprentice
ship, without the years of drudgery.
making our American salesman more
efficient, their services more valuable
and their vase earning capacity
greater.
Under the alien labor law our buyer
man and agreed to pay his passage to
America, not as a pauper nor a COM
mon or unskilled laborer, but an artist
in a new line. He did not come in any
competition with any American work
man, but was really an instructor in
new field Of work, secured for the edu-
cation and betterment of every man
employed in our silk department.
FIRMS PROUD RECORD.
This is the only case where we have
been fined for violating the labor law
in 40 years. Upon the payroll of our
firm are nearly 5000 people, whose
wages range annually from $780, coo each
to the boys at $3.50. We have employed
in the past so years more than 100000
persons, and have never had a strike
nor threatened strike. We are never
obliged to seek workmen, but only to
choose from the 5000 people who apply
to our employment department for
work every 80 days. 1t would be alb
surd to go abroad to hire statesmen
when dozens apply daily who are ac-
quainted with Philadelphia, with the
manners and customs of the people,
and who are, therefore, the most sue
cessful statesmen and saleswomen.
Though we sell goods made in al
most every country on the globe we
have never found it necessary to en-
ploy any but English speaking peo-
pie Our house has for years main
tanned a pension roll for aged and wor-
thy employees; 4 system of weekly ben
efits, absolutely controlled by the en-
ployes themselves, to be paid in case
of sickness or death, has paid more
than 100000. Employees are allowed
discount. reducing the price of goods
to cost. Length of service is rewarded
by increase Of salary, other things be-
ing equal. No young children are en-
ployed in any service in the house.
Statesmen and others at times are al
lowed dividends in addition to their
salaries.
"A man or woman's nativity or creed
are not made conditions for employ
ment by our establishment, but only
intelligence, integrity and capability.
A free school had been kept up for
years among the younger employees to
give them a commercial education.
AN AMUSING FALSEHOOD.
That employees are searched before
leaving the store is an amusing and
desperate falsehood, and that they are
compelled to patronize the house or its
restaurant is another and ridiculous
falsehood. l believe we pay the high
est average wages paid by any large
mercantile house in America, and for
SO years, since our business began, we
have not defaulted an instant in the
wages of our employees.
And I want to repeat what 1 have
said many times before. The employ
ment system and wage schedule of our
store are now and have always been
open for investigation; we have always
accorded individuals who are interest
ed in labor questions and especially
committees representing woringmens s
organizations. the fullest privileges and
facilities to examine into our methods.
Il would not dignity this charge with
denial but for fear some well meaning
persons may be misled. 1t is so ridc-
ulous 1t would be as reasonable to
say that Senator Quay was guilty Of
murder, because a careless motorman
on his street railway killed a passen-
ger or that the president of the Stand
ard Oil company, or stockholder in
the Pennsylvania Railroad company
was responsible for the misdeeds of
Senator Andrews, because he happen
ed to be in the employ of those corpora
tions. This is not a campaign of per-
sonalities. l have no personal quarrel
with Senator Quay or slated candidates
of the machine. 1t is a battle against
system, and if tonight 1 find it neces-
sary to use personal names, it is be-
cause names best designate the sys-
TENS they are responsible for and con-
troll.
WHO HIS CRITICS ARE.
1T is indeed strange that all these
criticisms should be inspired by men
who never employed a dozen men at
one time, except to do political work;
and that the head of merciless polit
ical machine, who for 20 years has
caused laws to be passed that have
constantly encroached upon the rights
and decreased the wages of the work
ingman, should be able to cajole and
deceive intelligent labor men, is still
more strange.
"WorkiRgmen, let US see what Sena-
tor Quay has done for you within the
past 20 years. when he had it within
his power to do much. He has filled the
statute books Of Pennsylvania with
laws giving to the great corporations
Your valuable franchises. He has so di-
rected legislation that the privileges Of
corporations are well nigh absolute,
while their interests have been so we'll
protected that an unjust proportion of
taxation falls upon the people. He has
been piling the load Of taxes and debt
upon you, while millions of dollars of
interest on your state money have been
rsad to rerpetlIatp his DOlitical ma achine.