The Indianapolis journal., 1898-09-26
Months IN
MIR. HANNA'S STATEMEN!

While the figures showing general condi-
tions are always interesting to many, 1t is
the facts in particular cases that appeal
more directly to the average individual Mr..
H. II. Hanna, of the Atlas engine works,
of this city, was asked for a statement of
the labor situation as he saw it.
I'm reply to your general questions" he
said, Il would say that the Atlas engine
works have been running with full force
since the middle of February, employing
about seven hundred men. 1 don't know
any better pulse by which to measure the
general confidence among the business peo-
pie of the country than the increase or de-
crease of demand for steam power. With
rare exceptions, the owners of steam plants
have been unable to use their full capaci-
ties since 1893 and the first recovery must
employ idle power and when conditions de-
mand Increased capacity, it surely is a sig
nificant sign of the return of demand for
restoration of depleted supplies, and or,
not be made except for faith in the con-
sumption of products by the people. Since
the middle of February the capacity of the
Atlas engine works has been taxed for
prompt fulfilment of delivery contracts.
In 1894 and the early part OF 1870 the
number Of our employees was reduced as
low, ] think as $50 men. In the summer
of 1895 there was a short period of increased
demand, but it rapidly fell away. During
1897 there was a slow but gradual return
of confidence in the country, as evidenced
by our increase in sales. The confidence in
the enactment of wise protective legislation
and the growth of courageous sentiment
favorable to sound monetary legislation,
noticeably affected favorably general con-
ditions. The decision of the people in favor
of sound money and the passage of the
Dingley tariff bill radically affected the
courage of the manufacturers OF the coun-
try. and this courage found its expression
so far as our business was concerned, by
a decided growth in demand, and that de-
mand has not fallen off TO this time.
Il don't think the general level OF wages
is any lower now than before 1888; at least
our company has never reduced the wages
of the men, and it is paying to-day as high
prices for the same class OF work as 1t paid
In 1891 and 1892, the years OF great pros
perity throughout the country generally
There are but few applicants for employ
ment at the works, which would indicate
that the workers of iron are we'll employed.
The character of the sales indicates an in
crease of power or the establishment OF
new enterprises. l believe the recovery is
substantial,
PROSPEROUS TIMES AHEAD.
John G. Dean, of Dean Bros steam pump
works, of this city, in response to an in
quiry, says his company is now giving en-
ployment to 215 men, whereas in 1896 only
100 men were employed, and 100 in 1894. The
August pay roll in each of these years was:
1898, $7,765; 1896, $4.SOS; 1894, s5077. Thus it
will be seen that last month this company
employed almost twice as many men as two
years ago and paid out nearly twice as
much money in wages. Speaking of the
general conditions, Mr.. Dean said: Wages
have been slightly increased. The present
general financial and trade conditions are
excellent. We think that future prospects
are the best for many years Now that all
danger of free-silver legislation is past. we
look for very prosperous times. We have a
full force employed, and have had since
Jan. l of this year"
T. L. Bosart. vice president of the Jenny
Electric Manufacturing Company, said:
we are new company just recently or
ganized, and have, therefore, no such data
as you ask for, and can only say that we
since we organized, which has greatly in
terfered with equipping our plant. The OUT
look for business is exceedingly good. At
no time in the last several years has the
prospect looked so bright as at present"
The Redkey Glass Company of Redkey.
Ind, furnishes the following statement of
its employees and wages paid: 1898. employees,
25o, monthly wages, $500; 1886, employees
200, wages, 5000; 1894, employees, $50, wages,
$500. But even this does not tell the whole
story, for this year the plant will be in op-
Grafton ten months, which is full time for a
glass factory, while in 1896 and 1894 with
much less force, the factory was in opera
ton only eight months. The Indianapolis
Varnish Company, with ten employees, re-
ports that it was in operation full time in
all three years.
The Richmond School Furniture Company
furnishes another instructive bit of infor-
nation. In 1884 it employed fifty people and
forty-five in 1886, while now 1t has seventy
on its pay. rolls. This companys report
closes with the statement: We make
school furniture and lawn mowers and work
only on orders We now have about six
months capacity of our works sold ahead
and regard the prospects as most favora-
ble"
The statements quoted above have all
been received In response to a circular let
ter which was mailed to most of the larger
manufacturers of the State.
WALTER A. ROYSE.