The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1904-10-10
Col. II'DERNIBIT
SUBMITS LETTERS

L.
.IGlass workers union and the glass
factories. 1t may as well be stated
fat$the outset that I reserve the rignt
to sell glass factory stock in a way
lagreeabIe to myself, the same as
Eany other property, without dictation
from others, no matter who h 9th
ers may be. You complacently speak
of an agreement I am supposed to
have made with a trades council as
lif there really had been such an agree
ment. AS a labor leader you would
know that any such agreement is i'm
possible under your own laws.
Therefore it could not be true, as your
own understanding will show you as
well as his positive statement from
me. that I never entered n any such
contract whereby I was to transfer
my personal and political liberty for
Votes from any trades council, abor
organization, corporation or individ-
uual. You have either been misinform-
ed or you have misunderstood the
people who informed you. l do not
owe any organization of men or cor
poration for my nomination as the
Republican candidate for the State
Senate. Unless I can go to the State
Senate and serve the taxpayers of my
district without having to wear an
others collar. and be owned, I would
prefer staying at home and giving at
tention to my own private business.
| lain to have some understanding
Of laboring men, for I have been a Ia
borer in the ditch with a pick and
shovel. am not of those born with
silver spoons in their mouths. | have
had hundreds of men in my employ,
and now give work to a large number
of men, and I refer you to them for
information as to my name of treat
ing laborins people. Some time ago
II had the misfortune to become a
stakeholder in the Morgantown Glass
company.
It was almost accidental that | was,
the representation being mad by the
solicitors for stock subscriptions thai
for me to take some shares might in
duce others, and besides it would be
helpful to local industrial and com
mercial interests to establish another
flint works here. I lever o active
mart in the direction Of the affairs of
the concern. There was a strike at the
factory. I did everything possible to
adjust the differences between en-
ployed and employers, though under
no obligation to do 80. The company
and the men failed to arrive at an
agreement. the strike has prolonged
itself, and my personal loss was $4,000,
due to a depreciation of the value
of stock, which was caused by the
strike and the misunderstanding be-
tween the factory managers and the
members of the Flint Glass Workers
union. The Flint Glass Workers
union. through an attorney, had an
option on my stock in this factory.
The option was allowed to expire
because the union failed to secure an
option on a majority of the stock.
Now. since I have sold the stock. at
a great personal loss to myself, which
stock the union la first opportunity
to buy, you and the labor council at
Fairmont are asked to write me let
tiers evidently intended to brighten me
into taking part in h strike.
would be glad to see you in per-
son at any time, and after we have
a talk over the matter you might
change your mind regarding it,
| ask no favors, moro THAI those to
which I am justly entitled. nor can l
promise you more than others of my
constituents. All shall receive mi
formly fair treatment at my hands.
All just and fair bills, emanatinS from
whatsoever source. shall receive my
ardent supper if l be elected Senator
from this district. ..0
No measure looking to an undue
advantage of one class of citizens over
another shall have my approval 7
wish to go on record asllnalterably
opposed to ''class legislation"
For the past year I have done ev-
crythfng in my power to adjust the Ia
Dor troubles in his city, not only for
the relief of the men ocked out, but
for the good of Morgantown and her
citizens generally, and I shall always
be found ready to assist in arbitratinS
any labor trouble which may arise be
tween capital and labor in my own
town, but I have about decided since
receiving YOU letter, to drop tn
cause of the Flint Glass Workers