Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-05-22

waste.
Why are these men out of employ
ment?
These men who are now out of en-
ployment have, during the past sew.
eral years, been paid higher wages
than men employed in similar capac-
| ity by our competitors in other ter
ritories. Recognizing the necessity
of an increase in wages, owing to the
present high cost of living, these
men were granted without protest
all their demands with reference tc
the wage scale. No complaint is
made as to general conditions in our
plants.
The only excuse assigned by the
union leaders for the strike is that
the employers refuse formally to rec
ognize the union, and more particu.
larly refuse to collect for the union
the dues of its individual members
This strike exists in the face of the
resolutions adopted by the Trades
and Labor Assembly of Fort Dodge
at it's declaration Of the national
head of organized labor that during
the war no strikes should be called
The wages paid and offered to be
paid by the clay industries in Web
ster county have been, and are, from
10 to 40 per cent higher than wages
paid by any of our competitors,
either in this or in surrounding
states. Many plants close during the
winter months, many run half time,
but practically all ours run full
time Steady employment is worthy
of consideration.
A majority of these employees were,
and would be, satisfied to continue
their labor at the present wage scale.
To hold them in line, however, we
are advised that statsmenta have
been made that we, as employers, are
weakening; that we would soon
yield. This statement is made to
correct any false impression that may
be created, if any such statements
have been made. 1t is now, and ever
will be, our desire to deal fairly with
our men, to grant them the highest
possible wage scale our business will
permit, and to better labor condi-
tions generally.
We wish it understood, however,
that we have not requested the union
to assist us in the management of
our business, nor can we assist the
union in the management of it's bust.
ness, either by collecting its dues
or otherwise. On this proposition
we stand united. There has been no
weakening, and there is absolutely
no possibility of hearing, rumors
to the contrary Notwithstanding.
This is critical period in the his
WI vi OuA SONSA ALAChl.
The following excerpt is from the
proclamation of President Wilson
under date of April Is, 1917: "The
manufacturer does not need to be
told, l hope, that the nation looks
to him to speed and perfect every
process; and I want only to remind
his employees that their service is
absolutely indispensable and is
counted on by every man who loves
the country and its liberties"
We therefore feel that we are be-
ing urged by the government to con-
tinue the manufacture of tile.
We must manufacture tile to re-
claim land, to raise crops to feed
the world. We prefer our former
employees if they desire to return as
individuals. Otherwise, we shall be
compelled to employ others.
PLYMOUTH CLAY PRODUCTS CO.
BY l. e. Armstrong.
LEHIGH SEWER PIPE & TILE co.
BY M. p. Chumlea.
LEHlGH CLAY PRODUCTS co.
BY C. e. Moore.
VINCENT CLAY PRODUCTS co.
By H. S. Vincent.
BRADSHAW COMPANY
BY II. X. Bradshaw.
NATIONAL SEWER PIPE co.
BY c. H. Clifton.
WEBSTER CITY CLAY CO.
By II. E. Teget.
FIT. DODGE BRICK & TILE co.
.. BY John Abel.
KALO BRICK G. TILE co.