Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1906-09-08
The Mica Factory,

@hc IOmIueHCtmoht oA iuo eCilOOl
term las necessitated the quitting of
many boys and girls from working in
the mica factory and there are only
about twenty helpers left to split mica
where there should be POO. OF course
the taking out of mica at the mine, and
the trimming of the same by the ma
chinery that is now being placed in the
building the company has fitted up in
the town will still be maintained. But
it is the splitting of the mica into thin
sheets making it ready for electric pur
poses that takes the labor and requires
more hands than the town has thus far
been able to supply. If nothing is done
to remedy this condition of things it is
plain to be seen the company will never
erect the big mica factory as they con-
templated doing, for the good reason
there will be no use for it. Something
should be done, or at least attempted to
keep this business here, and in this con-
nection We have suggestion to make to
the Custer Commercial Club for their
consideration.
First ascertain from the company how
many children of suitable age they de
sire and will guarantee to employ. 2nd,
advertise in one of the large cities Csay
Chicago for widows with families
children from IA to 20 years of age to
move to Custer to work in the mica fac
tory. Let it be stated, the condition,
wages, and requirements so there can
be no misunderstanding after they get
here. Ascertain from the company f
they will advance the cost of transpor-
tation for these families providing the
town of Custer will guarantee that this
amount shall be refunded to them. Then
when the children are put to work let
the company deduct 10 per cent. from
the wages of the children until the cost
of their transportation has been paid
| This plan seems to us feasible, practical
and safe and we can see no difficulty in
its being carried out successfully.
Now mark you We do not advocate
the advertising of families, for that
might mean old men and old women
and cripples. We do not mean to have
it understood that the Westinghouse
company are philanthropist or that they
have established sanitarium, asylum
or hospital, for while that would be a
desirable thing to do, it does not belong
TO this business. We say advertise for
good healthy widows and children of
the proper age that are willing and able
to perform this light and pleasant work
for cash. Do you think it would be di.
| tficult to get all that were wanted? We
think on the contrary it may be difficult
to keep from getting too many, for there
are thousands in every large city, peo-
pie of the character we have named
who would consider such an opportun-
ity a god send and would embrace it
gladly.
Now, are our town people ready for
the motion? This matter should be
canyassed and everyone should willing
| ly guarantee certain amount if it is no
moe than dollar according to their
means, for though under the plan set
forth they will never haYe to pay it.,
yet it must be an earnest. honest qua
rantee. We appeal now to our people
of the town, and the country tributary
to the town, tDr they will also receive
the benefit in the way of market for
their produce and be willing to help
out in degree. We ask now are you
willing to do your part if the company
are willing to do theirs2 Let meeting
be called and paper be circulated for
| signature. If the response is favorable
| let it be so announced that the company
may know what to DO. If the answer is
no, then let it be SO understood and the
company will act accordingly. This is
strictly a business problem and should
be solved without delay.