The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-13
PLAIN TRUTHS.
Situation Pertaining to Nc
Intosh's W. Brookfield Shop.

West Brookfield, Jan. 12.-There has
been so much said and written about
the Mcintosh shoe factory that Inc
Spy correspondent believed it would
be best for the public to agitate the
question as little as possible. There has
positively been no application to the
president or secretary of the Building
Association, of whom the Mcintosh
company rent their factory, for any
abatement of rent One of the en-
ployees of the company received letter
from one of the members of the nrm,
stating as near as can be ascertalned
that the business for the last year had
been done at a loss, and that if the
business was continued, the help would
have to be cut down and that they
would have to get their shop rent free
and that other concessions would have
to be made, probably the abatement OF
taxes.
This letter was shown to some of
the directors and, of course it raised a
! commotion. Most Of the principal
stockholders were seen, some of whom
are employed in the shop, and they
We're all unanimous in the opinion that
business in this town, they will have
to pay rent. 1t is claimed by some
that the Mcintosh company pay from
$500 to $500 weekly in this town, but
those who pretend to know say that
il they do, it must include the super
intendent and bookkeeper, who live in
| another town, all their freight bills,
coal bills and some even include their
bills for leather.
They say that the amount paid for
labor is only between 5000 and 5000 per
week, and think that the workmen in
the shop, outside of a very few men,
company would move away. One of the
workmen who has worked every day
possible during the last year. and who
| has kept a strict account of every cent
earned, finds upon adding up his ac-
| counts that he has earned just $1S3 g.
during the whole year.
Another case is cited of one of the
lasters who has worked steadily every
day, and who has not averaged over
81 per week for the weeks worked, OF
about $3.50 or $275 for the years work.
The capacity of the shop is about loo
cases per day, and the average which
the Mcintosh company are said to be
making is less or at least not more
than 20 cases per day.
1t is believed by a great many of the
workmen in the factory and by peo-
pie who are quite we'll posted in the
| shoe business as it is today, that the
| factory is just that size, and is so well
| equipped for business in every partic-
ular, so near the railroad and has sc
many good features about it, that il
would be in demand by other manufac,
turers If it was empty and that if some
other company would move in they
would employ 300 or 400 hands instead
of go to 75 and that they would pay
| better wages and have steadier work.
The whole question in nutshell is, is
the Mcintosh Manufacturing Company
| a benefit to West Brookffeld or not?
And while opinions may and do differ
| as regards the answer to that question
| it is a fact that it will be very hard
work to get the people of West Brook
field to make any concessions in order
to have them remain here.
The Brookfield Whist Club meet al
! the hotel this evening
| The chicken pox is so severe on
| Ragged Hill that but three children
We're at the school there yesterday.
Selectman Herbert Dodge has an at
tack of the grip and is confined to his
| house.
Landlord Messenger has been in Bos-
ton all the week on business.
Highway Commissioner Mellen Smith
is able to be out part of the day.