davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1911-11-29
MAJORITY FIND NO FAULT.
New York Herald. October 6. 1911.

AT least one OF the corporations under
fire of the Department or Justice intends
to make a contest. 1t is the United Shoe
Machinery Company, whose directors are
under Indictment in Boston. From that
city comes word that there is no intention
of running for cover. An odd feature OF
the situation there is that the majority OF
New England shoe manufacturers. whom
the so-cailed trust is supposed 10 oppress.
have no fault to find with its alleged 'eX-
tortions.'
New-York tribune., 1911-11-29

Those who do business with an indl-
vidual firm or corporation are pest
qualified 10 comment on the business
itself and the way it is conducted. In
the case Of the United Shoe Machinery
Company, letters from the Company s
customers in many states show that
they arc generally satisfied with the
business relations existing. Such state
ments. of various kinds, arc being re-
ceivcd, and coming from those who
have done business with the Company,
in MANY instances since its formation,
thew refutc at first hand erroneous
statements which have been made IN
criticism of the United Shoe Machinery
Company.
If the United Shoe Machinery Com
pany is not benefit to the shoe indus
try those in that industry should be the
ones 70 know and TO say so. The testi-
mony of two hundred and sixty-eight
manufacturers, large and small, how
ever. warrants a conclusion quite in the
Company's favor. The following arti-
Gle from the Boston News Bureau is OF
interest, for it presents categorical
questions of an incisive nature and
summarizes the replies in percentages.
The bureau says:
The Boston News Bureau has en-
deavored to secure from the shoe man
ufacturers Of the country their opinion
OF the United Shoe Machinery Com
pany. and TO this end addressed per-
sonal letter to them, inclosing there
with a series Of questions. 1t was also
requested that any manufacturer who
felt so inclined should send any COM
ment. either favorable or unfavorable,
which he cared to make. Ii was dis
tinctly stated that replies would be con-
sidered confidential so far as any man
ufacturer desired.
The responses indicate that a very
large percentage of the manufacturers
are satisfied with their relations with
the United Shoe Machinery Company
and believe the company has been of
great benefit to them aud to the public.
Results of the canvass the Boston News
Bureau will publish in this and subsc-
quent articles.
There have been received to date
315 replies, coming from large and
small manufacturers all over the coun-
try. OF these % did not care to an
swer firms have gone out OF business
and II do not use United Shoe ma
chimes. This left 26S manufacturers,
whose views are summarized below in
percentage figures.
In most cases direct answer was
given to all the questions, particularly
where previous opinion could have
been formed by experience. To other
questions, such as Nos. 6, 8, y and Is,
the percentage OF blanks and doubt
fu" answers was larger II will be
noted that in question No. the per-
centage Of doubtful is given as 6.3. In
cluded under this heading were those
who reported generally TO some ex,
tent" about 50 per cent" etc.
Question No. was: "How long have
you had business relations with the
United Shoe Machinery Company
All periods of time since the organiza-
ton OF the company were covered by
the answers, the average being about
ten years.
Answers to the remaining questions
were as follows
p Have your relations with them
New-York tribune., 1911-11-29

engaged in making boots and shoes and
in feeding, clothing and waiting upon the
operatives in the shoe factories. The
profits OF shoemaking are very large. but
that is a subject which cannot be safely
bv an amateur. 1t IS sutfi-
Cent tn saw that all OF the shoe factories
are busy six days in the week throughout
the year: that the business is in a very
PROSPEROUS condition; there is no apparent
evidence that the industry is being stran-
gled bv an octopus. and If the monopoly Is
Oppressive. as Acknowledgement Wicker
sham asserts. ne would not learn the fact
by observation, and no visitor 10 BrocKton
would ever suspect such a thing
New-York tribune., 1911-11-29
ENORMOUS GROWTH OF
THE SHOE INDUSTRY
Few Realize Its Extent or the Fact That the
Most Efficient Machinery on Equitable
Terms Is Very Largely
Responsible Therefor.

How many people realize that the
value Of the product Of American shoe
factories has increased over 20 per cent
in the last twelve years-from S25S,9OO,-
600 in 1900 to S442,6OOO00 in 1909; or
that the number Of employees in Ameri-
can shoe factories between 1900 and
1910 increased from 1892 to 1910,
equal TO % per cent, and their wages
increased from S59,176,OOO to $92,359,-
o00 equal TO 50 per cent; or that the
exports of boots and shoes from Amer
lean factories since 1900 have increased
in value from $1,Sl6,53S to Sl3764,S42,
equal 10 more than $50 per cent?
This is a remarkable industrial show
ing. highly complimentary TO Ameri-
can skill and energy, and worthy OF
more than passing thought. What
brought about this great growth IN the
country's boot and shoe industry? VIII
II continue, or is there danger of any
lessening Of this progress? These ques-
4ions instantly arise, since shoes are
such personal necessity that anything
which iniures or benefits the shoe in
du.try iniures or benefits each man,
woman and child in the United States.
Whatever other elements may. have
contributed to this growth in the shoe
industry. the most important is aclnowl-
edged to have been that Of machinery
efficiency and machinery cost. The
multiplicity and intricacy OF the ma
chimes used in the manufacture of boots
and shoes make the machinery problem
one much more to be taken into ac-
count than in other industries, and the
boot and shoe manufacturers OF the
country must have found this problem
essv OF solution or the great advance
in the industry noted in the past twelve
wears could not have been possible.
To-day. and with good reason, no one
thinks Of shoes and their making with
oft thinking at the same time Of
the United Shoe Machinery Com
pany and its many and varied wares.
And that the growth Of the industry by
unprecedented leaps and bounds has
been coincident with the oompany's ex-
isfence has a significance that can not
and should not be lost sight of in prop
orly judging the situation. This should
he studied with all the more care in
view OF the attitude Of criticism and
antagonism which is at present appar-
ent in some quarters.
The purpose of the United Shoe Ma
Chiuery company NAOh iNAii4~o ." 'O~D'
was to reduce the cost OF production
Of the machines used in the manufact-
ure of shoes, to improve the quality OF
service furnished without increasing
The cost to the shoe manufacturer, and
80 far as possible to give to each man
ufacturer who might wish 1t an oppor-
tunity to get from a single company
under these improved conditions such
machines as he might require in that
part of the factory in which soles and
heels are attached 10 uppers-the ma
chimes in what is known as the bot
toming room" These comprise about
50 per cent OF all the machines used in
a factory, but they were the machines tbs
Company had been the source of cspe-
cial trouble and confusion The other
which prior 10 the formation of the
machines in factory are almost with
New-York tribune., 1911-11-29
THE TESTIMONY OF THE
SHOE MANUFACTURERS
The United Shoe Machinery Companys Custo.
mers, Almost with Unanimity, Refute
Many Erroneous Statements and
Answer Pointed Questions

been satisfactory to you: Yes, eo5
per cent; No, 26 per cent; Blank, 8 per
cent; Doubtful, 6.3 per cent
g. In your opinion has United Sho.
Machinery Company benefited tn.
manufacturer? Yes, 85.8 per cent; No,
81 per cent; Blank, 81 per cent;
Doubtful, % per cent.
a. II so, are you OF opinion that equal
benefit could have been had with tn.
shoe machinery business less concen.
trated? Yes, 10 per cent; No, 7lo per
cent; Blank, 13 per cent; Doubtful 4S
per cent.
5. In your opinion has United Shoe
Machinery Company made it possible
to lower cost OF manufacturing shoes,
with consequent saving TO consumer,
Yes, 73.9 per cent; No, 1913 per cent;
Blank, 1913 per cent; Doubtful, as per
cent.
8. If so, are you OF opinion that equal
saving could have been made with the
shoe machinery business less concen-
trated? Yes, 10 per cent; No, 60S
per cent; Blank, 246 per cent; Doubt
ful, 3 per cent.
7. Do you agree with President Wins.
low that machinery is only item Of cost
in manufacture Of shoes which i. lower
to-day than in 1890, when United Shoe
Machinery Company was formed? Yes,
68.2 per cent; No, 81 per cent; Blank,
p per cent; Doubtful, Is per cent
s. If so, do you think United Shoe
Machinery Company is responsible
Yes, 5O.3 per cent; No, l04 per cent;
Blank, 35.4 per cent; Doubtful, 81 per
cent.
9. Do you object to royalty basis OF
leasing machines from United Shoe
Machinery Company? Yes, IL PER
cent; No, Sl7 per cent; Blank, 81 per
cent; Doubtful, 3.3 per cent.
10. Do you think royalties charged
arc unreasonable, considering quality
Of service rendered? Yes, l23 per cent
No, 7S per cent; Blank, So per cent;
Doubtful, As per cent
II. If you bought all your machines
outright, do you think cost per pair OF
shoes manufactured would be more
than under present conditions: Yes
60.S per cent; No, 1873 per cent; Blank
11.9 per cent; Doubtful, 1874 per cent
y. Do you agree with Preseiden'
Winslow that United Shoe Machinery
Company return on its capital invested
is not as large proportionately as re-
turn received by successful manufsct-
urcrs OF shoes: Yes, p pet cent; No.
l9 per cent; Blank, So per cent; Doubt
ful, SO per cent.
IS. Do you think that United Slioe
Machinery Company has discouraged
invention of new machinery IN orde'
that its own machines might not DC
superseded? Yes, l5.5 per cent; NO.
5O.3 per cent; Blank, 29.9 per een'
Doubtful, 4l per cent.
IA. Do you believe disintegration o.
the company would be followed by Il"
creased cost OF operation, and wo"''
therefore mean that price OF shoes az
retail would have 10 be raised' {"
$50 per cent; No, los per cent; p'S"N'
1914 per cent; Doubtful, as per cent
New-York tribune., 1911-11-29

be impossible if the shoe machinery "'''
only sold outright ocsred 70
"This opportunity which Is on,ad ong.sd the
smaller manufacturers mas pIen,.JInS trust
formation of a shoe manufacturing inssrufsc.
and has greatly increased ,Ss tne ;nterest OF
The Shoe Machinery Company TO lessV a. Oh.
many machines as possible in oraea a from
tain a steadily increasing revenue
their rental. s.,.,,-ars have 90
'rhese large shoe manufacture make Iss
NJ fine machinery of Congress az shoe
federal departments TO harass ths
Machinery Company"
New-York tribune., 1911-11-29
MAKES FOR THE GENERAL
GOOD"

Brockton Enterprise, September so. 1911.
The United Shoe Machinery Com
nany as a trust has In the opinion or the
local manufacturers, been about the right
kind OF a trust. If there is such a thing
IL has conducted its business on business
lines and there has been enough or hunane
New-York tribune., 1911-11-29
FROM WEALTHY
MANUFACTURERS.

From tho Boston Commercial. July 81. 1911.
THE principal antagonism 10 the
United Shoe Machinery Company comes
from lar9e and wealthy shoe manufac-
turers who do not relish the fact that.
owing 10 the leasing policy OF the United
Shoe Machinery Company, small manu-
facturer with limited means can fully
tetition with them, something which would
New-York tribune., 1911-11-29
A WISCONSIN MANUFACTURERS,
Writes the Editor Of the Madison CWis)
Democrat

Democrat.
/ take the liberty OF inclosing clipping
President Winslow's statement. Twenty
five years experience might qualify me
to declare this correct in every particular.
l would also give II as my opinion were
the question OF continuing or dlscontinuing
the present royalty system submitted 10
the vote OF the 100 manufacturers, that
S. per cent would vote in the Affirmative.
II is pretty generally accepted as a fact
that the present move against the COM
pany was started by few OF the big fell
lows, who have for many years taken the
ROYALTY terms than the small fellows. The
company has steadfastly adhered to its
policy OF treating all alike.
II. l.. ATKINS.
Madison, Wis. Oct Z.
New-York tribune., 1911-11-29

IT is surprising, if the methods of the
company are as iniqultouS as a few would
have us believe, that so great a number
Of shoe manufacturers are not only con-
tent, but would greatly deplore any disrup-
tion OF present methods
Another phase which is rather amusing
IS the profit Of 5 cents on a pair OF shoes
which il was claimed by Mr.. Jones at the
hearing would be saved II the shoe manu-
facturers We're enabled to buy their ma
chimes outright It would he interesting 10
know how this profit could be figured so
accurately by a system which has never
been tried out In large factories. The al
legged possible profit is entirely guesswork
and does not take into consideration even
the first cost OF the machinery, the extra
expense, costs, upkeep, depreciation, incon.
venience and other items in a system OF
machinery which is not even on the mar
ket as yet in sufficient quantities TO supply
any OF our large factories.
New-York tribune., 1911-11-29
SATISFIED WITH PRESENT CON-
DITIONS.

Shoe and Leather Reporter, August 3. 1911.
1t Is rather remarkable that only
one New England shoe manufactures comes
forward I'm denouncing the methods or the
Narbinerv Company. It has been SAID
thai others were afraid 10 take any stand
against the United Company, but THIS as
to from conccit to think that only one
manufacturer ma out Of several hundred has
New-York tribune., 1911-11-29
FAIR PLAY TO THE UNITED SHOE
MACHINERY COMPANY.
Hide and Leather. October !. I9l

Hide and Leather October ], 1911.
Al. matter of fact II has been the
6Yed policy of the United Shoe Machinery
Company to make shoe trust difficult II
not Impossible IN America. The corpora
tion is absolutely judicial and fair in It's
treatment of large and small shoe manu-
facturers. All prices TO customers OF the
New-York tribune., 1911-11-29

out exception obtained elsewhere. That
the purpose Of the Company met with
favor and success during the succeed
ing twelve years is demonstrated by
the figures quoted above.
The advantages resulting have been
many, and have benefited the manufact
urer, the employe and the buyer of
shoes. The item of machinery is the
only item of cost in the manufacture
Of shoes which is lower to-day than
in 1900 More than three hundred diff
fcrent kinds of machines are now made
by the United Shoe Machinery Com
pany, some OF which are leased to shoe
manufacturers, many of which are sold
outright, and most of which can be
either leased or purchased, az the man
ufacturer may prefer. The small man.
ufacturer is enabled TO equip his fac
tory at small cost, and gets precisely
the same terms as the large manufact-
urer when leasing machines from the
Company, so that competition is as
sured. Operatives on the machines OF
the United Shoe Machinery Company
are more regularly employed and re-
ccive higher wages than operatives re-
ceived before 1890 The masses of the
people are to-day wearing better shoes
than ever before, at smaller relative
expense. It really is not at all sur
prising that the growth of the shoe
industry has been so remarkable,
To-day, the desirability of Scientific
management" in business is being wide
ly discussed. It's application wherever
possible is being called for. 1t is being
hailed as new discovery, panacea,
the long-sought alienation Of undesira-
bic business and industrial conditions.
| But it was nothing more or less than
scientific management which the United
Shoe Machinery Company began to ap-
ply in 1899, to the shoe machinery and
/ shoe manufacturing problems, with
such extensive and beneficial results.
/ At that time experienced and far-seeing
men realized that changes in the manu-
facture and selling of shoe machinery
were necessary, that the business re-
quired new methods expert ability or
ganization of the highest order; in
short, that brains and scientific man
agement applied to the great problems
of shoe machinery and shoe manufact-
ure would be Of advantage TO the man
ufacturer, the employe and the con
sumner, and extend the shoe business
in this country to proportions not then
dreamed of.
That the United Shoe Machinery
Company, from its organization in 1899,
has been an example of the best Of
what to-day is being welcomed far and
wide as scientific management is con-
clusively shown by the remarkable
growth and prosperity Of the boot and
shoe industry since that year. A Com
pany which has played so conspicuous
and important a part i'll bringing about
these remarkable results should be con-
sidered 10 be not a restrainer of trade
but a developer. And the number is
rapidly increasing Of those who en-
phatically are OF opinion that the ques-
ton OF seriously disturbing existing
conditions should be approached with
caution and considered with care.
New-York tribune., 1911-11-29

y llAlFh AJAACN
chinery Company are
uniform and main
tanned. This means
that small manu-
facturers. from a
machinery st a II d.
point, are on exactly
the same level as
powerful competi-
tors, which explains
why many small
shoe manufacturers
are able 20 continue
and to expand their
business, instead OF
being forced out.
Those who remem-
Der the days when
there were many
manufacturers o I
S h oe machinery,
would not care 10
return TO conditions
which then prevailed.
Shoe manufacturers
were kept I'm endless
expense, never be-
ing sure when they
bought one machine
how long il would be
before a competing
m a chine rendered
their previous pur-
chase superfuouS.
$ h oe machinery
prices i'm those days
were irregular. Each
manufactures made
the best terms ne
could, and of course
tine bigger the man
ufactuTer the cheap
NNL
New-York tribune., 1911-11-29

make known his op-
position, if he has
any, TO existing meth
DDS Of acquiring ma
Chinery.
On the other hand
many shoe manuiact-
urers have made IL
known that they are
satisfied with present
conditions. They are
content for the best
reason of all, namely,
that they are not
having trouble with
{ h cir IN d chinery,
whereas they did
have formerly when
there was so much
contention going on
a m ong machinery
manufacturers. They
are also content be
cause they know that
no shoe manufactur-
er, however rich or
powerful, has any ad-
vantage over them in
the matter of service
or cost. In short, in
the rank and file Of
shoe manufacturers
practically all but a
few large concerns
have no complaint 10
make as regards their
machinery. On the
contrary. they have
nothing but praise for
the policy Of the Ma
chinery G ON y a n y
trft.na tt ,sasrst y, { 10 IN
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-04-11
ADVERTISING TALKS
WRITTEN BIT
WILLIAM c. FREEhAN.
No. 706..

The following story, told me
by a former newspaper reporter,
now an advertising writer, illus
trates the Importance attached
to ACCURACY IN NEWS by
editors of newspapers.
If the same care were taken
with the advertising columns,
how much more effective adver-
Using would be:
81 was assigned to report the sud
den death OF a young man whose
family was most anxious to keep the
circumstances Of his death out OF the
newspapers. There was a suspicion
that he had died by his own hand.
IL got the facts and wrote the story
for my paper--an evening newspaper,
What | wrote ! knew to be ABSo-
LUTELY TRUE.
The morning newspapers next daY
denied the story-said there was not
a word OF truth In II.
81 was summoned before my man
aginR editor, who criticised me Sc
Soe.tf..sa o.. page -
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-04-11
MOTHER AND SON PERISH.
Attempt to Start Stove Fire With
Kerosene Proves Disastrous.

SEBEWAlNG, Mich. April IL
While passing the home of Peter
Beath, Hungarian beet worker, four
miles east OF here, about 6 o'clock last
evening. John LAUGH neighbour, dis
covered that the house was on fire.
Unable to open the door, he broke it
In with an ak. Lying upon the floor
near the door, he found the uncon-
scious forms of Mrs. Beath and her
six-year-old son. both terribly burned.
The woman recovered conscious
ness for short time and managed to
tell that she had used kerosene oil
to build fire. The exploded can was
found near the stove.
Both mother and son died before
midnight. The husband was away
from home at the time.
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-04-11
.CONv|CTs PUT
ON THEIR HONOR
Warden of Colorado Prison Trusts
His Men and Sends Them
to Build Roads.

CANON CITY, Col. April Ito
make a man trustworthy, trust him.
This is the recipe OF Tom lyman,
warden OF the penitentiary, known In
Colorado as The mender OF broken
men"
Instead of TIE ball and chain. the
heavy armed guards, the constant
espionage and suspicion, lyman has
introduced his honor system" by
which prisoners are treated as men.
AS result, lyman has built mile
after mile of road through the noun
tains. And his men have done the
work with the full knowledge that no
bullet would block their plans to es-
cape, should they desire 10 break
faith.
lyman abolished the use OF guns
shortly after he took office and I'm
mediately after a break" by dozen
desperate convicIs. The break show
ed that force was failure.
In addition TO the usual work about
the prison, in workshops and quar-
ries, the Colorado prisoners work
upon state roads. Neither in the road
camps, some or them 40 miles from
cities. or about the prison, are guards
allowed to carry revolvers. Last year
out Of total OF 745 employed in road
camps. only 3S made an effort to es-
cape
Life in these road camps is made
as agreeable as possible. About the
camp fires al night is phonograph
One camp has an organ.
A supervisor In charge OF the work
is the only guard"
The state permits 10 days a month
additional good time" to men EN-
ployed on outside work. This is the
incentive for good behavior The
practical result to the state Is the
construction OF state roads at a small
costa feature which does not ap-
peal to lyman.
Il don't care about the cost in
money" says lyman. Right now the
state is making profit from the work
OF these men. II had my way, these
men would draw every cent they earn.
would have 1t sent to their families
or kept for them on their release.
The idea that prison is place
TO punish and TO satisfy revenge Is
not In keeping with the age. More
and more we realize that those who
break our laws are not vicious, just
weak. Every sentiment OF humanity
prompts the effort to restore these
men to normal thought and sane ways
Of living.
Before any man is sent to the road
camps or the small farms which Ty-
nan leases, he takes an oath Of con
1dence" IL is the word OF the pris-
oner not Ito throw down" the warden
or his sysfem. - ,~--sr. ~''e,.s.ss -. ~ :,
lyman is not q theorist. When
named as warden he was a drummer
for a big groyery house. He wouldn't
know a theory Of crinimology II he met
II in the street Instead, he knows
men and believes men.
The ideal is great farm. The
soil will cure many vices and many
bad habits says lyman. Our road
work is the best thing we have. Sun
light, fresh air. outdoor work and the
knowledge that someone trusts and
has confidence in him will set any
man on the right road"