The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-19
GOOD TIMES At MUNCIE
WHAT M'IxINLEY's PROTECTIVE
POLICY DOES THERE.
The situation as Prominent Local
Union Man Sees It-A Demo-
Gratis View.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.


MUNCIE, Ind, Oct 1s.-Ths city is a
constant reminder to anyone of what the
protective policy of the Republican party
can do; it is city full of protected in
dustries which pay high wages. Most of
the factories could not run without the
protection afforded and none could pay the
present high scale of wages. A very diver
sited lot of goods is the product of Muncie
factories. Some of the manufacturers are
affected only slightly by the tariff itself.
but even these add their testimony to
the wisdom of the Republican policy, for
they have found that it is only when all
factories are running that they have de-
nland for their goods.
-Four years ago this fall ! spent several
months in Muncie in newspaper work, and
among other things 1t was my duty to
watch for the slightest indication of an
Improvement in business conditions. ]
watched and hunted assiduously for any
sign to Indicate a return of prosperity.
When a factory added, even temporarily,
few men to its force ! published the fact.
and such thing as an order of the size
that come every day now was almost I'M
heard of. and when it did come to any of
Muncie's factories the fact was told far and
near.
But now things are different 1t is not
necessary to go all over town hunting in
the hooks and corners for latent sign of
prosperity The signs are on all sides; fac
tories are running full time and can scarce
ly find enough competent men to man the
plants.
In speaking of these conditions, r. ].
Beatty. president of the Midland Steel Com
pany. said: Complying with your request
Z IL
observations regarding the labor situation
and trade prospects for the future. There
is no question but that the Mckinley adj
ministration has been a very great benefit
TO employment of labor generally, and an
increase in the volume of business, which is
principally due to the confidence in bust
ness and financial circles that the Repub-
lican party has restored. Our business, and
that of our customers generally, appeared
to take on a new life after the election of
President Mckinley, and the demand for
all kinds of material in our line has been
about 90 per cent. greater since then than
1t has been since 1892 All lines in the iron
and steel business continue busy, and are
employing more men than year ago with
every prospect of this revival continuing"
WHAT EMPLOYEES SAY.
This is the view from the Office as ex-
pressed by the head of the company, and
some doubling Thomas will wonder what
the men employed at the mill think of the
conditions ]. II. Darrall an employee of
the Midland Steel Company. is a member
of the local mill committee of the Amaiga-
mated Association of Iron Workers. He
has filed every office in the local subordi-
nate lodge. and has been the local repre-
sentative TO the annual meeting of the as
sociation. lie is a leader among the iron
a hill 0rIrf Of
the rolls in the mill. He said
IN the last four years this mill has al
most doubled its capacity. and with this
large increase III output we are now work.
ing full time. The only complaint now is
that the mill does not turn out stock
rapidly enough when run to its utmost ca
pacity. -Four years ago the complaint from
the Office always was that stock was ac-
cumulating and less work had to be done
then as IL is row, we would all have been
idle more than half the time. We were
lille a rart of the time as it was. l can
also say that the employees here and iron
workers in general are very we'll satisfied
with the present conditions. Our pay Is
good and we work all the time. i think
IS we'll satisfied TO know that Mckinley is
President. and viii do all he can tp keep
Richard McCauley is the Democratic man
ager of the Muncie Iron and Steel Com
pany. Since 1894, but largely stree 1885, this
company has doubled Its capacity, and now
works about lis men. 1t is now, and for
some time has been, working full time with
orders ahead. But in the face of all this
Mr.. McCauley would not admit that the
conditions We're better now than in 1894, or
that he had any reason to be thankful to
the Republican party for Its wise conduct
of public affairs.
Are you now working full time?'' he was
asked.
Just now we are, but we do not know
how long II will continue. We have never
worked full time all of any year since we
started was his qualified answer
But 90 YOU not think you will make full
One day We think we will and next day
we think not
You viii work more than eleven months
this year, will you not?'
We'll, yes, / suppose So Oh we could
work 2ll the time | guess. but prices are
bad prices are bad. We cant get the prices
for our goods. we used to-
But isn't there corresponding decrease
IN the price OF the stock you buy so as TO
leave you the same profit even at a lower
price,"
I'VE don't get what we ought to for our
goods II quote now the prices we got a
year ago | do not get al ORDER
wv al. Myers. secretary of the Indiana
Iron Company, is authority for the state.
ment that the cost 10 the Muncie Iron and
Steel Company for its raw material is as
nluen less tnan II was g year ago as the
selling IS lower now. This leaves the profit
at present prices the same as at old prices
What are the conditions generally with
mills in your line?''
All mill are fairly busy now Mr. Nc
Cauiey said, but prices are not what they
ought 10 be can get all the orders /
high enough"
Mis- are busy; orders ahead: more orders
can BE- secured at any time etc, but still
no credit given whore II belongs
WALTER A. ROYSE.