The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-03
CRITICIzING EDDY.
Norwegian Press Wroth at His Im-
migration Operations. 4
DON'T LIKE TO LOSE GOOD MEN
The Congressman Explains and De-
tends the Canadian COM
Dany's Contracts.

Congressman Eddy's work in Norway in
recruiting laborers for the Clergue syn
dfeate enterprises in Ontario greatly dis
turbed the Norwegian press and people.
They admit that he could have secured
10000 men as easily as 900 but deplored
the fact that so many young and sturdy
workers were willing to leave their homes
for the uncertainties and hardships sure
to be their lot in the Canadian wilder
ness. The newspapers urged the men
to remain, especially as there is a de-
mand for farm laborers even if work was
not always plentiful in the cities. There
was no way that the men could be re-
strained, however.
Canada has no alien contract labor laws
such as protect labor in the United
States. 1t would have been impossible for
Congressman Eddy to bring his Norwegian
laborers to the United States by any such
methods as he employed in Christiania.
A Christiania correspondent Of T h G
J OF "a writes that the people were
much agitated over the Eddy propaganda.
The idea Of binding free men down like
serfs' was repugnant to all Neverthe-
less the men were easily secured. The
contracts provided that they should re-
ceive $3.50 per day. The company would
advance the fare and would hold out so
cents per day until the debt was cancelled,
so that in effect the men would receive
only 81 per day for the first three or four
months. Board and lodging was promised
for $3.50 per week.
The Journal correspondent de-
ecribes the. Manchester Shipper in
which the laborers sailed, as cattle boat;
when it arrived in Christiana there were
on board 300 of the lowest class of Ital-
ians. No sooner had the Manchester Ship
per left the shore than fight took place
and a Norwegian boy was badly cut about
the head with knives. The boat was held
up by the police down the bay for final in
spection and about thirty of the Nor
wegians ignored their contracts and man
aged to get aboard tug boat and return
to the city.
One of the pilots on his return to Chris
tiania stated that fighting was resumed
on the way out of the ford and that a
great many expressed desire to return
with him, but they were prevented from
doing so. The writer states that the peo-
pie arc so much aroused over the matter
that it may result in the Canadian syndi-
cate being prevented from hiring any
more contract labor in Norway. He states
that the Swedish government would not
allow any work in Sweden. o. 800
Verdens Gang one OF the most 1nf1uen-
tial of Norwegian papers, in an editorial
of March Il Gu the contracts offered ny
Mr.. Eddy. says: 49,,
especially bright. The contracts are severe
enough even if the weather should not be.
Down in the mines. out in the woods or In
the factories as may be decided by the en-
p1oying ccnpany's representatives. There is
nothing said Of chances for the laborers to
select for themselves Whether they must
work at night or by day Is also decided by
the company. In the mills they must work
twelve hours or two hours longer than here,
and according to the statements Of reput able
men, at least twice as hard. When Indictment
weather prevents work, no wages are paid.
The laborers can console themselves by the
fact that the prospectus says that there are
no chilly winds. But should they turn up,
the contract still stands. The passage is free,
except as to food during the two or three
days the railway journey. lasts. And the
wages are 81 per day for the first three or
four months for the remainder Of the year
sl5G. We would be interested in learning ii
it will represent much greater value than
$50 kroner in the farming districts here at
home IN any event, not in the primeval
forests in. mort hern Ontario. The company
promises, of course, to supply pure and nour-
ishing food for $3.50 per week But the idea
Of pure and nourishing" may differ between
the consumer and the ourveyor where the
latter is without competition. .. .
There is still time to consider, for no con-
tracts are as yet signed. But they will be in
the near future, as soon as the company has
deposited the bank guaranty demanded by
the police. A little wonderful it is that it is
another company the 1aborers pledge them
selves to by contract than the one which
bounls the beauties Of the vast land expanses
which have been bestowed it. But the
laborers pledge themselves by, the contracts
to work for the companies which the "Alsoma
Commercial company limited" finds desr-
able, ,-.r' -,