Rocky Ford enterprise., 1903-07-03
RASCALLY CONTRACTORS
FOR BEET THINNING
skip Out Leaving Unpaid Wages. Par
ticuiariy to Children.
To the Editor of the Enterprise:

To the Editor OF the Enterprise;
During the last two weeks several
case have been reported where con-
tractor who employed labor. especially
children. has taken undue advantage OF
his position and left the country with the
money tina, was paid to him by beet
growers for the thinning OF the crop.
In order to prevent repe,ition Of such
cases. we deem i, advisable to call the at
tention OF the public. and especially the
parents Of children. To the necessity Of
carefully investigating the standing and
character OF such parties who are adser-
tising for help to thin bee,s in this valley.
Wherever children are seeking this work.
we consider Il the duty OF every parent
that they investigate carefully the repu-
tation OF the so-ealled contractor. for
whom the children intend TO work. and
they should satisfy themselves fully that
the party is reliable and homes, before
they allow their children To work in his
crew. as experience has shown II Is very
dangerous to trust To strangers. They
may promise higher wages than others
who arc citizens Of this valley. but their
intention to pay may be doubted and
should arouse your suspicion.
in.bo,h cases OF deser,ion the parties in
question had offered In some Instances
considerably higher prices than those US
ually paid for this labor. and those who
were en,iced were bitterly disappointed
because they received no pay. and arc
no, in position TO recover their loss.
As a protection to labor. especially
child labor. In future would Il no, be ad-
visable to ask from contractors who are
employing children o! tho towns Of this
valley bond. or deposit in tho bank.
large enough to cover a; least one weeks
wages OF tho number Of men and children
such contractors intend 70 employ?
Some valuable work could DO done by
the schools. Tho contractors should flo
their application and bond with authorized
parties before vacation commences. then
upon Recommendation Of tho school teach
ers tho children would DO in position TO
know under whom to work. Should some
children then. after such recommendation.
still work for unreliable parties. they will
have to blame themselves In case OF loss
Of wages. but under the present conditions
they have no means Of protecting ,hem-
selves.
The Business Mems associations Of tho
different towns might also assist in this
work OF protecting tho children. and while
this means Of procedure might not be
feasible this year. on account Of tho ad-
vaneed season and tho close Of school. Il
might DO worthy Of tho attention and con-
sideration Of these bodies next year.
Much good. however. could still bo done
this season by immediate investigation Of
tho standing and character Of contract
ors now handling children. 81.
As far as we arc concerned. Il Is, and
always been. our aim TO protect the la
borcr. and we are ever ready to eo-oper-
ate. improving the present system.
AvERicAs BEEr SUGAR Co.
The second contractor 10 swindle his
laborers this year is Chas. Deyo. Ho loft
owing SIS TO tho boys who helped him.
The mon 60. after him sharply and were
mostly paid. Several business men wero
among Dcyo's victims. He also carried
away revolver under circumstances ap-
preaching oriminality.
Attorney Deyine Of Pueblo was consult
cd by tho Sugar Company relative to
holding the swindling contractors on a
criminal charge, and ho says that after a
contractor has skipped the country
warrant cannot be issued to bring him
back. We also understand that the crop
cannot be held for labor. Hence. mon
and boys who work for contractors should
have undoubted evidence Of their honesty
or deposit in the bank to secure their
wages.