Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-05-13
THE MILL LABOR PROBLEM.

The case of Mr.. w. C. Rayner, men,
toned in this column recently was not
so serious a reflection on the munich.
pal authorities Of Chester as 1t SEEM
ed. Mr.. Rayner was merely the VIC
tim Of a vicious conspiracy on the part
of irresponsible mill hands, and he was
able to make the fact so plain as to
induce the town authorities to undo, as
far as they were able the injustice
that had been done.
The main facts in the case have
already been related. Mr.. Rayner was
waiting at Chester on his way from
Winnsboro to take the train for York.
vile. Mill hands or loafers about one
Of the mills, after learning where he
was from. made inquiries as to the
chances Of getting work at Winnsboro.
He advised them as to the situation
there and they Immediately reported
and pointed him out to policeman.
who took his watch and $50 to secure
his appearance before the mayor,
Coming on to Yorkville, Mr.. Rayner
told his story to Mr.. P. NJ. Grimes,
superintendent of the York Cotton
mills, got letters to prominent citizens
Of Chester and returned to Chester on
the day set for the trial Notwith-
standing the plainness Of the case, 1t
was feared that there would be trou-
BILE. because 1t was thought that there
would be no scruples in the tale that
would be told by people who were
capable Of putting up such job. as
had been attempted. But Mr.. Grimes
went to Mr.. ]. X. Henry about the
matter and acquainted him with all
the facts. Mr.. Henry called up Mayor
Hardin by telephone, and the mayor
being willing to follow the judgment
Of the solicitor, the whole thing was
promptly squelched. Mr.. Rayner Sc
cured the return Of his watch and
money, and is out only the annoyance
and expense that were Occasioned by
the incident.
In conversation with local mill
man. based upon the above story, the
reporter took occasion to ask for an
expression as to the wisdom Of such
an ordinance as. the Chester people
have, and which was the occasion Of
20 much annoyance to a citizen Of such.
good character as is possessed by Mr..
Rayner. - /.
well, it does look little bad in
this case," the mill man replied: but
am not prepared to say that the or
dinance Is altogether unwise. It is a
fact that just at this time nearly all
the mills in this section. especially
those that run night as we'll as day,
are short of hands. Some of these
mills make It practice to send out
agents to drum up hands, and these
agents are guilty Of a good deal Of
dirty work. They can only persuade
hands away from welt regulated mills
by unscrupulous lying, and do not
know but what their business should
be broken up, both. In the interest of
the mills and the employees"
"Well." suggested the reporter in
reply, 1T seems that there are two
sides to this question, and that the
operatives are entitled to be drummed
IL they so desire. They are not apt,
would think, to be enticed away except
upon reasonable guarantees Of more
wages, or something Of the kind"
THAT Is where you are mistaken"
was the reply. There Is no question
Of the fact that an operator Is war
ranted in leaving one mill for another
when he has a certainty Of bettering
his condition; but that is not the
point. These strikers go around the
mills, represent the advantages that
are offered elsewhere, the operative
believes all he says, takes his family
away, finds that the representations Of
the striker are all lies and then comes
back for his original place."
why, II you would investigate the
matter little, you would find cases Of
operatives that are almost constant
ly on the move, and who boast Of the
number Of mills in which they have
worked. Some Of them claim q record
Of fifteen or twenty mills, and others
go still higher. They are ready to
pick up and go on the slightest pre-
text and are not willing to stay any
where-regular hoboes you might call
them. -, -
Il confess that do not know what
the proper solution Of the matter Is.
1t Is beyond me. am not prepared to
condemn that town ordinance the.
Chester people have. It may be sub
ject to abuses as 1t was in the case Of
Mr.. Rayner; but still, properly en-
forced, 1t may serve as q protection to
operatives from the INSCRIPTIONS lies
of solicitors. The operatives suffer
more from these solicitors than do the
mills, and they are really more In need
Of protection"
LOCAL LAcoNlcs.