Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-05-05
PACKING PLANT
TO CLOSE DOWN
JOHN MoRRELL 4 co. TO CEASE
BUSINESS FRIDAY,
MAY 6, 1910.
HIGH TAXES THE CAUSE
In a Letter to Its Employees tho Firm
Sets Forth the Reasons Why It.
Can Not Operate ata
Profit.

assessment OF the plant was left at
the figures arrived at by the city
council.
When asked how long the plant
would be closed, John Morrell said:
| II have very little to say at this
time. The letter to our employees, of
which you have copy, explains the
situation as far as our company Is
concerned.
! 1--WE have suffered severely for
some time past and feel that our posi-
ton must be fully understood by our
citizens. I am unable to attempt. to
forecast how long operations may be
suspended; it depends entirely on pub
lie sentiment, which can view the
matter deliberately
Letter Explains Action. s
The following letter, bearing date
of May 4, 1910, and addressed to the
packing house employees, was distrib-
uted at the plant today
1--WE think it due to you, as well as
ourselves, that we should give you a
statement Of the principal causes
which compel us to take step which
we greatly regret, on your account, as
! we'll as our own.
Looked at in it's true light, our In
terests are identical. Whatever tends
to injure us must inevitably tend to
your injury also, and hence this state
ment.
Before stating the causes and cir
cumstances which will compel us to
soon close down our plant, we think 1t
is due to ourselves and to you to give
you brief history Of our plant
about SO years ago, through the
influence of certain citizens and bust
ness men of this city, we were induced
to come here to look over the ground,
as location for q packing house, and,
and liberal treatment at the hands Of
the public, we accepted these assur-
ances and came. We asked no sub
sidy, no bonus, and received none.
The establishment Of such plant in
this part Of Iowa to compete with the
wealthy packing houses located In the
centers Of population in the
middle west was an experiment, not
without considerable risk and hazard.
Before that time packing house
ventures in Ottumwa had not been
successful in fact, had proved fail
ures. Whether it would turn out well
or i'll with us, no one could tell; but,
taking the risk wholly upon ourselves,
and relying upon these assurances Of
fair and liberal treatment, we invested
such means as we could command,
and embarked in the enterprise.
"Since then the business has had Its
vicissitudes, its ups and downs, and
not infrequently for weeks at time,
and sometimes even months, we have
continued to run at severe loss to
ourselves, rather than shut down, until
favorable conditions returned, and
thus throw our employees out OF en-
ployment.
During these long years our rela-
lions with our employees have been
friendly and mutually helpful. We
have looked upon our interests as
bound together.
"We have not looked upon you as
mere workmen, but have felt and en-
deayored to manifest sincere inter-
est in the welfare of yourselves and
families, along both material and NOR
al lines.
sWhile with us, many of you have
secured your own homes, a policy to
which we have always lent our en-
co,iragement, and thereby, like our
selves. YOU have become fixtures IN
our city.
ut is a self-evident truth that
whatever policy works an injury to
us, must inevitably work injury to
you. In diminished employment, low
wages, and consequent diminished
earnings.
$50 much by way OF history and
past policy.
"Now as to the causes which have
led to the decision to close the plant
down:
until within little more than
wear past, the policy OF fair and lib
eral treatment by the city, promised
to us when we came here, was carried
out. Responding on our part to this
policy and treatment, and as circum-
stances and conditions would permit,
we have continued to increase our
buildings and packing equipment from
wear to year, until they have grown
to their present proportions--this, al
though we have had numbers OF fiat
tering and promising offers to estab-
lish plants elsewhere, and have even
been offered gifts of plants already
built. and of bonuses. Under this lib
eral policy we have been able to give
employment to more and more men, to
bring and distribute in our midst in
creasing amounts OF money, OF winch
our employees, our merchants, and the
farmers, along with ourselves, nave
reaped the benefits.
Several of the growing cities Of
Iowa, in order to induce and encourage