Norwich bulletin., 1916-05-02
ANGUS PARKS OPINIONS.
Prominent Mill Man Thinks Opera lives May Come to Demand Shorter Day-WouId Be Wisdom to DeFeI Such at Least Till July Next.


 Notwithstanding the generous and voluntary manner in which wages have been advanced in woolen and worsted plants in this section of New England since the beginning of the new year there is in some sections and among some groups of manufacturers feeling that there may be some danger ahead for the present smooth running prosperity of the industry in the form of labor difficulties due to q demand for shorter working days.
 That there is this possibility, still vague and indefinite. nevertheless, a possibility was admitted Monday by Angus Park. head of the Assawaga company, which operates the big plant at Dayville. and other like concerns in Connecticut and Rhode Island and one Of the shrewdest. far-seeing and most successful manufacturers in New England
 MT. Park discussed the situation frankly. With his usual far-sighted- ness. he has been considering this new phase of manufacturing problems, ev- !dently, for he had some very inter- esting things to say about the matter that showed he has given it serious thought
 T am in favor of shorter days for our employers said Mir. Park. q realize that employees in the woolen and worsted industries work longer oays during the week than do the followers of many crafts and trades and longer than do the operatives in the cotton mills; also that the work ing hours per week are longer in our industry in this state than in Massa- chusetts, though we are forced to meet manufacturing problems here that are not encountered outside o1 Connect1cut. For instance. in many | Massachusetts and Rhode Island man ufacturing centers it is possrDie to secure workers in some departments at lower daily wage than can be done hereabouts. But notwithstand- | ing these considerations am for a l shorter working day for the people fD i the -woolen and worsted industry. At its opening this year pronis- | ed to be one of unusual success and money making for the wooden rnanu- lecturers. With this fact quite DOS !tlvely assured, we granted a volun- tary advantage of per cent. A few weeks ago we made another volun- tary raise of 10 per cent. These ad- pect1ve extra profits for the years business, but there remains in pros | pect something for the manufacture if the mills can be kept a hurnmine | at their present high speed, Of course, an abrupt demand for short | VI "O4hAA4S udy WOulu upset the whole prospects for a good years business for both employer and emDloye. but if | this matter can be handled as I would like to see it handled there is no req son why 1t cannot be amicably ad- austed without a days interruption of the wheels of industry.
 Our concerns, for instance, and every other like concern faces this l same condition. One engaged in rnak- ing goods contracted for in many cases months ago. These contracts were made on the basis of the present number of working hours per week. 60-and on the wage scales then m force. Since the contracts were made there have been advances in the cost of material and the 5 per cent. and 10 per cent. advances in wages. Now the people with whom mills have con traSted for delivery of cloths expect that these contracts will be carried out to the letter, also they will seek redress from the mills, claiming loss- es for failure to deliver" So long as
 these contracts are in force it would
 work hardship and in many cases dis
 aster if labor abruptly forces the
 mills to a shorter working day, rol
 such a change would be equivalent tc
 ancy yner stiff advance in wages ator
 of the two that have recently beer
 made.
 If, however. the mills are to bt
 called upon to grant a shorter work.
 ing day, the problem might be satis.
 factorily worked out if the demand
 is not made before the expiration O
 present contracts. If. for instance
 the demand for shorter day were no made before July IS next, say, and u
 become effective about August Is, thu
 mill men then would have chance
 to complete present contracts and tt
 make new ones in, accordance witt new coditions
 1 MT. Parks position on the proposi Iition is an Admirable one and fl
 keeping with the highest standards 0 T cooperation in modern business If between emp1oye and employer