Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-05-12
Oxford County Blacksmiths' Associ-
alton,

many unpleasant remarks on the part OF
farmers and others who have smith
work, especially shoeing, TO haye done;
and looking at the business end of the
proposition from a financial standpoint,
it certainly seems to deserve all of the
abuse and ill-will which it so lavishly
and freely receives. Here we see an
organization, banded together apparent
ly, solely for the purpose Of obtaining
larger wages and profits, financially, and
nothing else, in other words labor Or
ganization and trust combined, similar
to the Standard Oil Company and other
monopolies. Now the question seems
to be that as this organization increased
prices for shoeing, and other branches of
smith work, we think, in proportion,
was this increase called for, or necessary
by increased cost of material, namely,
iron and coal, or increased cost OF living
expenses, or was it not?
Seeing this from the farmers stand
point only, there seems to be no cause
for this increase in prices of shOeing and
Job smith work, but as We are open to
conviction we shall be pleased to hear
the other side from some of the vulcans
of the forge, and | invite any one of
them to give little time to showing up
their side of this matter, and possibly
convince us all that this increase was
necessary.
Until this association came into exist
tence Sl.00 was the price for shoeing
any horse, large or small, and $500 for
shoeing yoke of oxen, and the black
smith insisted on supplying the shoes,
charging double the cost at hardware
store of the same; this they claimed as
one of their prerogatives. When these
prices were in vogue blacksmith friend
of mine told me that he had made 80 w
per day, and another blacksmith told
me that he had made as high az 500
per day. Although this was perhaps
exceptional, our blacksmiths usually
have all the work they can do, and do
not need to receive large income one
day to offset another poor day when per-
haps there may be little to do.
Now at the present time blaeksmiths
charge from 81 90 to $3.50 for shoeing
horse, according to the size of shoe
worn, and $500 for shoeing large yoke
of oxen. If the old prices were re-
munerative then this increase is un-
necessary and uncalled for, except by
avarice and greed. Farmers and labor
ers have to work for less than 81 90 per
day, generally $3.50 per day, and we
consequently think the wages received
by blacksmiths exorbitant and excessive
ly large, and some farmers are buying
kits of tools to do their own smith work,
and others are talking of doing so,
rather than pay these excessive prices.
Talking with another blacksmith who
had not Joined the association, he said
he proposed to run his own business and
not take orders from any association,
and that he could make good pay at the
old-time prices, and should not increase
his prices for labor.
How would you like it, gentlemen, If
farmers asked you say S2 90 bushel for
apples, 81 so per bushel for potatoes, ~
or so cents per pound for butter, 20
cents dozen for eggs, 10 or 20 cents
per quart for milk, or il you had piece
of land to plow ask you $40 per day for
self and team, ETC., etc. In that way We
might get our wages up to $500 or $500
per day, which, as farmers have to work
II or 15 hours day and blacksmiths
generally work 10 hours, would seem to
be as right and just for them as for you.
/ suppose that your reply would be
that farming is not skilled labor, and no
such prices should be obtained in con-
sequence; but there are lots of farmers
who could make skillful workmen at
any trade and need not use their
brains or hands any harder than they do
now. Blacksmiths do not, we believe,
intend to work but 10 hours day,
about two-thirds of the time farmer
puts in, and as they do not have to put
out years of time and labor without pay
to learn the business we do not think
that they should receive high wages any
more than other non-professional men.
Now if there are good and valid rea-
sons for higher prices in smith work we
shall be pleased to hear or read them
given, as we are afraid that there is more
to follow and that the end is not yet, or
even in sight; but il this isn't game of
gouge, it must be different than it looks
from the road.
E. Z. FIELD.
THE columns of the Democrat are
open for fair and reasonable discussion
of any and all sides of this question, or
any other question of public interest,"
Ed