Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-10-23

street. has worked in the blacksmith
shoD for 23 years. He never heard any
OF the employees speak but in terms OF
highest praise OF Mr.. Pattee.
James Lee. 7OS South D street. an
| other blacksmith. said he had worked
| in the shop for seven years. and was
| more than pleased with his wages and
| treatment.
Harry r. Wakefield. sos South ID
street. had worked in the shops for q
years. He remembered OF men com
| ing TO the foreman of his department,
offering TO work for 81 and s1.25 DAY,
and heard Mr.. Pattee say he had NJ
room for men not worth $50 per day.
All his men liked him. because he be-
lieved in good, living wages. and prac-
ticed what he preached.
Best Friend OF Iaborins Men
Jerome Emmerson. 60 years old. had
worked for Mr. Pattee % years in the
erecting department. Politically a re-
publican yet he believed Mr.. Pattee
was one of the best friends Of laboring
men in the country He thought he
would strongly advocate their interests
as a representative.
J. Knox Porter. 3l3 South \ street,
foreman of the wood room, life long
republican. had worked for Mr.. Pa;tee
about 20 years, said all of his men
were treated most literally In the Sc
lection of employees. good, efficient
work was the only requirement. He
never heard Of any complaint about
wages or treatment Mr.. Pattee never
had attempted 10 control or influence
any OF his men in the interests of any
political party.
Charles Lee living AT 70i South Sec
Dnd street. foreman of blacksmith
shop and machine department. and r.
r. Potter. also in the blacksmith shop.
10Th rCaffrmcd the statement Of MIR.
Porter. These Gcnt!C-~Cn have been
connected with the fac;cry - and l.
years. respectively
Ed Bryan. foreman of the paint shop
resides at 227 South Main street. He
had worked there for 10 years. All the
boys IN his department were ready To
90 their length on Howard Pattee II
ever there was true, msclfsh friend
Of labor, Mr.. Pattec was that friend
S. o. Means. 9n7 South r. street
who works in the wood room. an old
employe. said Mr.. Pattee as an ON
ployer couldn't be beat.
Charles L. Tracy. foreman of the
shipping department, lives at 91S West
Fourth avenue. He has been working
for MIR. Pattce Is years. Mr. Tracey
is republican central committeeman
from the Fourth ward. and naturally an
rdent partisan. but he thinks too much
n Howard Pattee to- go back on him
next November. During the Is years
Mr. Tracey has been working in the
shops he has never heard any com
plant among the employees and never
mas Mr.. Pattee intimated to any of the
boys how they should act or vote Oh
election day.
Seigel Clark, residing on Eleventh
avenue, has worked in the grinding
room ever since the shops started. Al
though a republican, he thinks Mr. Pat
tee one of the best men in the country.
and just the man to interest himself n
any cause for the benefit of labor in a
legislative way.
W. e. Johnston. 1902 South Second
street, works in the blacksmith shop.
He has been there for Is years With
30 other men in the various depart
ments, they all express themselves
about as those quoted above.
One in Particular.
Special mention should be made of
one of the men who has worked for
Mr.. Pattee for over 80 years. His name
5 Aaron Lee, living at 10 North Tenth
street. He is a mOider and now IS
years old. He is also an ex-soldier
Naturally, Mr.. Lee cannot do the work
he did in former years. and the fore
man, looking after the interests of the
factory, suggested that he be let out"
and his place filled by younger and
more active blood
WHAT said Mr.. Pattec. discharge
4 man who has worked faithfully for
me all these years and helped me make
this plant what it now is? Not any.
When his eye sight fails him so h.
cannot work in the foundry. place him
some department where he can
work
The last interview was with Joseph
Il. Moore. superintendent of the shops
Mr.. Moore commenced work in the
grinding room in 1885, and has gradu-
ally worked his way up to his present
position. The position of a superin-
tendent is usually a very trying one. es-
pecially in the employing and discharg-
ing of labOrers. Happily for Mr. Moor.
however. the policy of Mr. Pattec. en-
OOWNW ADD COITDCE