The semi-weekly messenger., 1901-08-20

ference Of opinion as to the best means
OF regulating the matter. +. c. Lay
ton, OF Bayard, in expressing his opin-
ion, said:
ut is time something was done. We
are paying too much for our Labor, ard
the more we pay the less We get for it.
We are cutting too many boxes, more
in fact than we can work. 1 am will
ing to agree not to cut another box for
a year."
II. A. McEachern. acting in tie dual
capacity Of operator and factor, said:
I'VE all known there is trouble. We
are searching for a remedy. The trou-
BILE is that we pay too much for our labor
and get too little for our turpentine
By curtailing the output we can stiffan
the price, but to do this effectively we
must have the loyal cooperation of
from as to 80 per cent. of the operators
in the naval stores belt. The factors are
just as anxious as are the operators to
better the condition of the naval stores
industry" Mr.. McEachern advocated
the permanent organization of CEN
trail body with branch organizations in
each territory. He believed that this
would bring about good results.
H. F Warren did not favor the en-
tire prohibition Of cutting boxes for
one year. as he thought enough boxes
should be cut to give the negro tnr-
selves on.
d. r. Edwards, representing half a
dozen stills and a man of few words,
took exception TO the proposed whole
sale cutting Of wages. He contended
that the old law of supply aid demand
would have to be taken into account,
and as long as the demand for the Ia
Dor Of the Iurpentine hand kept up the
rate Of wages would remain high.
After the adjournment of the meeting
Mr.. Edwards talked still more plainly.
He said: L fear that there will be no
results from this attempt to organize IL
the efforts OF the organizers are to be
expended in the. direction Of securing
lower wages.~The day Of low wages
has gone forever in the south. Labor
is better organized than ever and the
opportunities Cor labor are increasing.
I venture 10 say that even with present
prices no operator would object to pay
ing good wages If he~could be assured
that the labor he paid off on Saturday
night would report for work on Mon
day. The fault lays not in the rate OF
wages but IN the tendency on the part
of the operators to encourage this mi
gratory spirit of the laborer. This bus
mess of advances to hands is most per-
nicious and the commisasry methods
are to be deplored.'
Mr.. Edwards had a number Of men,
DerS VINO SlQeQ Wlln nlIIl- he Is near l.
lily in favor OF curtailing the cutting OF
boxes.
The committee appointed to draft
constitution and bylaws for next
meeting when a permanent organiza-
ton will De affected, was as follows:
Messrs. McEachern, Pridgen, Peacock.
Mccall and the chairman.
Messrs. Myers, McEachern and w. F.
Coachman were appointed commit
tee to await on the railroad authorities
and endeavor to secure rates which will
insure a large attendance at the Sep
tember meeting at Jacksonville. Branch
organizations will in the meantime be
formed The leaders in the movement
express themselves as satisfied of the
progress already made. An afternoon
session mostly devoted to the discussion
of the best methods Of organizing was
held, and the meeting adjourned.-Sa-
Yannah News.