The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-07-03

best that il in them the manufactnr
er should not ask more.
The men were never so ready L
make concessions along all lines will
the exception Of wages as during thu
past winter and the union agreement
with the Presbrey- Leland company
proves that they are ever willing t.
allow the wage question to be gov
erned by economic conditions and de
cided by a properly appointed arbitra.
tion board for settlement if such a pro
cedure proves necessary, though this
cannot occur during the first year
This would seem to be the only way
to adjust wages with justice to all
Frequent changes are very undesirable
and cause constant uncertainty and I'm
rest, The good will and morale Of the
men can thus be retained. and all man
| ufacturers know this to be absolutely
essential to efficiency and low produc-
! ton cost in a stoneshed.
These men have like needs with our-
selves and they too wish a few of The
small Injuries that make life worth
living-their children also become sick.
have teeth to fill, must be clothed and
would appreciate a few music lessons
as well as a fair education that they
may become creditable citizens Of our
great nation. These skilled and in
dnstrious men carr with their hands
the right to enjoy some OF these things
with us in a proportionate degree. Most
manufacturers have gone on record
that good granite cutters are worth So
and they do not intend TO pay them
less, yet this whole fight has eentered
around the wage cut absolutely In
sisted upon by the labor committee
and present officials of the Manufac-
turers' and Producers Association.
Their action has already cost the man
uf~acturers, the men and those depend
ent upon the granite industry, millions
Of dollars. How much longer are the
manufacturers going to be held in
leash by a few men who without doubt
now realize there is no hope of forcing
union men to yield what has been de-
manded Of them but are determined to
stick it out through a false sense OF
pride and because they wish to see
someone else yield first.
In the meantime, retail dealers
through the country are selling marble.
limestone and other materials in large
quantities while Barre starves and
the probability is that IL viii be a
long time, if ever, before the patron
age that has now drifted elsewhere viii
return to the Barre district.
Fully three years are required to ce-
selop able journeymen cutters and de-
sirable apprentices were exceedingly
difficult 70 obtain under former eondi-
lions with the probability that it will
he still more Difficult 10 prevail upon
young men to learn the trade If the
demands Of the Manufacturers asso-
citation are absolutely adhered TO.
The answer to our problem is 10 ie
found in cooperation, not in conflict.
The big business of this country il be
ing run on those lines to-day and in
the long run only those concerns will
prosper whose men are in hearty co
operation with their employers and
both working unitedly for the one OBJ
ject. When that day comes il must
necessarily mean that not all the bene-
fit accruing is appropriated by the en-
as the man who works for him
has also a right TO expect a proper
reward for his labor.
Yours very truly.
The Presbrey.L Leland Company,
G. II. Presbrev.
June 30, 1922. ADV.