The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-01
Writes to Former President OF
Manufacturers Association.
PROMISES OF WORK.
If Taft and Sherman Be Elected
Are Being Made.
Parry Replies Giving His Per-
sOnal Views on the Matter.

Indiana in reply to a letter from John
W. Kern announces himself as oppos-
ed to the posting of so called prosper
ity placards in factories.
The correspondence is as follows:
indianapolis, Aug. 2l
Hon. D. NJ. Parry, President Parry
Ny Dear Mr.. Parry: I am enclosing
clipping which reports the posting of
so called prosperity placards IN
manufacturing blishmentS over the
country and l am interested in learn
ing how the distinguished ex-president
Of the National Association of Manu-
facturers David NJ Parry, stands on
this proposition of beguiling or coer-
cling the workmen of the factory to
vote the ticket of a party which many
believe has become the party OF the
tariffized trusts rather than a party
of the people. You will note that these
placards read to the effect that, "on
the day after election of Taft and
Sherman, this factory will start up in
full force"
The intent of the placard is obvious
~ to frighten the public as well as
the employees directly affected, into
belief that the success of the Demo-
crat party would work injury to busi
ness and industrial interests. 1 of
course, resent as entirely unjust an
attempt to place such an imputation
upon the Democratic party and l must
presume that the factory owners who
post these placardS are beneficiarieS
of the tariff tax to such an unjustifi-
able extent that they fear any revision
of the tariff, except such as may revise
it upwards.
I have had much pleasure in the
last year in reading several articles
written by you in which you show
yourself to be sincere advocate of
letting down the tariff bars between
the nations to a reasonable extent for
the benefit of our exporting industries,
and 1 am led to believe that many
other manufacturers hold like views.
In the light Of the fact that the pres
ent high tariff has not maintained
prosperity. l would like to ask whether
the posting of these prosperity plac-
ards by the stand patters," does not
SAVIOR a good deal of trying to obtain
money under false pretenses.
Believing that you do not sympath-
ize with this placard and hoping to
hear from you fully on the subject, 1
am, Yours very truly.
Parrys Reply
indianapolis. Aug 90
Hon. John w. Kern. Indianapolis Ind
My dear Mr.. Kern:
] have your very interesting letter
concerning the prosperity placards
and to disabuse your mind at once of
any doubt as to where I stand on
this matter. I will say that no such
placards will be posted at the plant
Of the Parry Mfg. Co.
I have had a good deal to say in
the past about the abuse of power by
the labor uniOns-some people tell me
! have said too much on the subject
but 1 have yet to say word in favor
Of any abuse of power by the en-
ployers. And it is an abuse of the
power Of the employer to intimate to
the employe that his service will not
be needed if he does not vote a GER
tain way. When a man is made to be-
lieve that his bread and butter de-
Pends on how he votes he is no
longer free to exercise his own judg-
ment-he is deprived of the most i'm
portant of his citizenship rights / be-
lieve it is our duty to frown upon all
. etIorts to sway the judgment of men
other than by methods of proper
argument and persuasion untinctured
with coercion.
am sure that the great majority
or the manufacturers of the country
VIII refrain from posting the object
ionable placard and that mainly be-
cause 1t would be taking an unjust
and distressing advantage of the en-
ploye. There is the further reason
also that most manufacturers run
their business in accordance with the
demand for the products and not in
accordance with the political baro-
meter. 1t is poor business judgment
on the face of it to post a promise to
run a factory full time in the event
OF any ones election, for there is a
chance, you know that the promise
may have to be made good in the
face of adverse business conditions
Should the promise for any reason not
De made the employer would be
guilty of bad faith with his men. and
II the employer does not keep faith
with his men, he can not expect his
men to keep faith with him.
l think it is Impossible to fix a date
Tor the return of full prosperity. 1t
must be remembered that there are
economic causes for business reaction
which are quite beyond the power of
the political parties to control. This
thing of looking to the government
TO give us prosperity has its fnita-
tions. But the recuperative powers
OF the country are such that we can
assert with confidence that times Of
industrial depression cannot long con-
tinue and this also regardless of which
or the two political parties is success
ful- or course i'll considered Iegisla-
ton and the continued existence of
public evils obstruct the path to pros
perity and perhaps if my distinguished
acquaintance, William J. BRYAN. and
my esteemed friend and fellow towns
? man.. John w. Kern. were really
anarchists or socialists enemies of
lnolNlduaI or property rights I might
reel justified in posting UP some kind
or placards but despite nv Re
puollcanism, I can not bring myself to
any such notions concerning them.
no more sympathise with the state
ment that Mr.. Bryan is the enemy of
INDUSTRY than i do with the state
ment that Mr.. Taft is the creature of
the trusts and as for Mr. Kern's nos
slole election being a menace, say
positively it is absurd
As for the tariff 1 think the coun-