Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-09-20
ON MARBLE OF PROCTOR.
A Vermont Pullman Without A
Sign of Autocracy.
Model Establishment Where One Man
IL ms Good rs Another ana Pater-
nnlism Is Robbed of It's OTeu-
sive Features
(From the Boston Transcript

In 1870 the Nuluo or NorlnOntS output
OF marble was $4,000. At present sin
gle corporation. tho Vermont Marble
company, receives each year for It's finish
ed products more than 100000. Any
such industrial development would lead
one TO expect many points of interest;
in the present instance there are special
features, throwing light upon modern per-
plextles concerning the rights and re-
lation of employers and workmen, worthy
of careful study. Such a study may have
peculiar Thickness just now, when the
president and controlling spirit of this
enterprise. Fletcher ID. Proctor. has just
been chosen governor of the state.
1t may seem fanciful to look first at
environment, in trying to estimate the
character and worth of an industry's de-
veopment. but IN the present instance
there Is manifest connection between
the two things. The country. and not
the city, is the home Of this great indus
try. A loveller view of mountain and val
ley can scarcely be found than rewards
one who climbs the steep and high ridge
lying to the west of the village of Proc
tor, and looks down upon its huge piles
of marble blocks surrounding the quar-
RVS mouth; the long line of mills; the
clustering homes of the inhabitants
clinEing to every bit OF level soil which
can be found among the hllly slopes; the
silver thread of otter creek, the broad
intervale, and beyond. rising tier upon
tier, the Green mountains. The quiet of
the country rather than the turmoil OF
the great city has shaped the lives of
those who have made this industry great.
Many Of the lieutenan,s of Mr. Proctor,
like himself have grown from boyhood
to manhood amid these scenes Without
the least suggestion OF Incidence, but
with steadiness and quiet energy this
| army of over 5000 laborers in Proctor and
two or three adjoining towns are push
ing onward to ever increasing proportions
a business which three and even two de-
cades ago was inconsiderable. Unlike
many great industry which mingles
in the life of a city, this enterprise stands
| in absolute solitude; take It away
and the lively village of Proctor would
have nothing left but the superb falls OF
the otter, dropping down 1,5 feet over an
abrupt prec!pice.
THE OPEN SHOP.
At the forefront. we may place the
attitude of this company in tho most
crucial test OF the present hour. the
question of the open or closed shop. Two
years ago stranger appeared one day
| IN the office of Mr.. Proctor. and peremp-
torly demanded that every department
! of the concern be union!zed. At that time
| perhaps one-fifth or less Of the employees
We're union men matter of which their
employers took no cognizance whatever.
| Mr.. Proctors position has ever been that
any man in the company's employ Is al
| ways at perfect liberty 10 come directly
| to him with any complaint or request
but that no outsider can under any cir
cumstance he allowed to conduct nego-
| tiations in behalf of his workmen His
| refusal of the walking delegates de-
! mard was immediate and absolute At
| once all the power of organized labor
| throughout the country in those lines re-
! presented in his employ, was arrayed
against him. All his workmen were
commanded to leave him until the union
was Recognized" AS n matter of fact
only I per cent oboyed the summons
Some of those went elsewhere to work;
many of them for a time stayed quietly
| in Proctor, fearful Of being afterward
blacklsted by the union il they disobey-
ed orders, but in perfectly AMIGA Bile re.
lations with all the company's officers
No striker or his family WIS disturbed ir
the occupancy of homes owned by the
| corporation; and after "a time the useless
ness Of the strike became manifest The
contentment and loyalty of the great
mass of workmen was barrier that nc
boycott or intimidation or persuasion
could effect; and today every man who
sought unemployment hcrore his place
was necessarily filled is at his work
and the principle of the open shop has
heen v!ndicated beyond the thought o,
any reversal.
LOYALTY AND CONFINEMENT
What are the underlying causes 10,
such loyalty and contentment? In a word
the many tokens which come to the work
men of genuine fraternal spirit on the
part Of those who furnish the capital 70,
this great plant, and superintend 1t.
workings. From the president dowr
through all the officers, there is a demo
cratic simplicity and friendliness of at
utude which Is too fine and strong to b,
questioned or ignored. II one seeks tn,
president of this great corporation ir
his office, he finds him in a small almos
| Scanllly IurnlSnel room, with not viii
more of style or display than in any o
the other offices in the building II on,
is so highly privileged AS to enjoy tn,
pleasure Of climbing the slope OF tn,
little hill on which Mr. Proctors modes
and unassuming home Is located an,
share Its gracious hospitality, he can un
derstand yet better how tho simple. kindly
sincere spirit of him who is at tn
head of this enterprise pervades all tn
relations between employer and employe
TOWN AND COMPANY IDENTICAL.
This shows itself notably in an erYec
tive interest in the civic life of the town
! Naturally the company is the larges
owner of land and buildings; Il rent
many houses to its employees, and 1
ever ready to help them build and ow
their homes The town offices are locate
in the same building with the company
Offices; many of the leading officers n
the company hold responsible positions 4
town government. 1t IL needless to sa
that water supply. street and sidewalk,
and the support of schools, are care
for most efficiently. The various churche
in the town have experienced 70 tn
full the kindly sympathy Of the corpora
ton: union church organization G
Engiish-speaking Protestants has receiy
ed the gift OF noble marble edifce, an
the other churches OF the place have no