New-York tribune., 1908-12-28
ASHOKAN TALES DENIED
NO L4BOR TROUBLE SEEN.
Contractors Declare Brass Check
Stories absolutely False.

at
Winston & Co. camp. at the Ashokan Dam OF the
Ca-skGu water system. Il is believed that the
stories Of men driven out Of the place for cause
were accepted the literal truth A reporter for
The Tribune made investigation of the labor
conditions Jp there 10 learn just what they are
he found over month ago that the were well
paid and well housed bat il determined to
learn whether conditions had changed that the
story wrong would have some foundation. But
there had been change
All the vital work Of the Ashekan Dam. near
Browns Station. has been suspended because OF
the riEor Of the weather. but the great stone
crushe-s still in operation, and the mechanical
engineering force viii not at any time relax its
attention TO the great plant. This must be kept
the pink of condition Many temporarily un-
employed laborers remain in the new village
Their homes are enough to Withstand even a
Ca1skII winter. and the men prefer TO remain
5here 10 going 10 Kingston. pending the great
thaN. which viii herald a resumption Of full work
There IS q family a in the camp with
enough money laid by to live on until the
wages begin come in again.
James G Winston, one Of the contractors ana the
engineer in charge Of the vast operations, said
that he could not account for the attack He was
very angry about 1t all lie said he would consult
counsel he should pursue toward
finding the OF the reports. But evidence Of
the condition Of the when the work was at
height and just before suspension was not hard
10 obtain.
At the Browns Station postofice it learned
1hst the laborers have sent comparatively large
sums OF money to relatives in Europe right up 10
last mail that would reach the other side in
time for Christmas. The December record had not
been completed. but a comparative table was pre-
pared 20 show the increase in the postal business
from what it before the camp was opened to
November 50 last.
In November, 1907, sixty-fve registered letters
and 1orty-eght money orders recorded, the
orders amounting TO S7SS 81. Last November the
number OF registered letters IA; money
deTs. 1885, the amount Of the latter, SS565 4S. No
vernlger was not the busiest month. the weather
conditions had compelled the contractors to sus-
pend much of the work
The Jump in postal business began as soon
the building of the camp well under way In
March Of this year the registered letters num-
oered 11s. and the money orders totailed seventy,
Sso6 0e. In May, when the force had been in
creased. the registered letters numbered 156 and
the orders ninety, the latter amounting TO 81 20
in June the work IN full swing, with the re-
the amount the orders sent g. So.
High water mark reached in October. when
as money orders taken out, totalling 81 24 50
The registered letters numbered 2a6- In the six
months when the work in full swing. with an
average OF more than two thousand men in the
camp the value Of the money orders time
fen below he June record Since January last
men in the camp taken in postal orders
so q. and what sent in the registered let
7ers is supposed TO have been still larger
NJ winston. when asked 10 explain the system
Of wing the employees. said
Under our $. stem paid every Saturday
iu fan the Saturday previous However. upon
notice within two days previous 10 the date Of
payment. employees paid in full for all wages
due These payments arc made in United States
currency and coin. put Up in small pay envelopes,
snd never have these payments been made in
brass Statements Of accounts have been made.
and made. for the upon request. and
everything is done to enable employees to know ex-
actly how they stand with the company, and the
rste Of wages which they are receiving at any and
al times
Properly authorized inspectors have carefully in
vestigated and approved the system in all
branches which concern the welfare of
rloves, and always willing that such in
spectors. when properly authorized and seeking the
truth. shah have all the Information they desire
It had been said that the men were paid in brass
checks whether they wanted them not and
that many had nothing else with which TO get
food clothing, and that they compelled to
patronize the camp comu1issary. OF this Mr.. Win
ston said: The brass checks used by some Of
employees q mere convenience for the men, and
issued those who request them and are
simply a system of accounting enabling the men
keep accurate account Of their expenditures
They are kept IN their pockets. without danger Of
loss oy nutilation. They enable the men to get
advances every week wages due the following
Saturday They redeemable and are redeemed
in money any payday upon demand In other
words, any erploye OF this company receiving
pay Saturday have all such checks he
has drawn redeemed in United States currency
for the fuli amount represented by them ANY
'Etater11ent made that employees are paid in
brass checks forced 10 accept brass checks in
payment Of wages Is absolutely false The
of Euch checks Is absolutely and entirely optional
with the men employed, and for their accommo-
dation'
Mr- Winston denied that there any discount
on the checks OF under any circumstances on the
wages due the men It charged that the cnecks
were hawked about by the and got At discount
by those who happened to have the ready money
The engineer said that reliable tradesmen we're
permitted enter the camp at Will It was found
that some had got IN at enc time under the pre-
,enoe Of selling necessities, but had secretly ped
died rhiskey That compelled the most careful In
spection. The men. Mr.. Winston said. could buy
wherever they sa y do There were &C
counts hs said. on the commissary's books with
families IN no way connected with the camp They
fos;nd that they could pet good supplies. and
as cheapIy Al any OF the stores in nearby towns
or at Kingston
II IVES charged that the barracks were built on
piles. A reporter found that they were all built
on masonry foundations and that they were well
ventilated The laborers' quarters are divided into
rooms holding from four TO five men, and each
Commandment has hunks with excelsior mattresses
The men buy their own bedding wherever they
z,lease Each compartment has cook stove, and
the rent includes fuel and water. which are just
outside OF the UiliinE- Mr. Winston went into
detail regarding the wages received by thu men.
i was said that the greater part or the laDorers
got only Is cents hour
Taking the month of September with all cond-
tions fair" ne said. There 2.269 men on the
nay rolls: % Of these received - cents an hour.
They represented e2 per cent OF the entire force;
81 received less than u cents an hour but these
were practically all water and tool boys; 2lS men
received more than Is cents hour. In no instance
has the eigft-nour law been violated"
The Society for Italian immigrants. OF this city,
maintains a school in the camp. and Miss Sarah
Wool Moore has charge % IL She was called upon
Tor = statement Of conditions up there. and after
=1a- tod -1f.#T TRraa