davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald., 1922-04-23

donned HIS overalls and took a Job as a
dock worker. Here he came into contact
with one !9f the most interesting branches
of British labor and perhaps its canniest
Also he naet and talked with immigrants
bound for America. He gained first hand
Impressions of their hopes, their plans
their expectations. All of this was invalu-
able to HIM later on at the great plant in
Cleveland.
From the docks the labor adventurer
went to the mines After several weeks
there hd crossed the Channel and went at
once t9 the regions being restored near
Lens aTd Douai Here he learned the ways
of the French workman. From this district,
he worked his way into Germany, where in
the SPAR Valley he passed four months in
the cbal mines.
When his leave was nearly ended Mr..
Williams booked passage aboard the Maure-
taniA. When one day out to sea he applied
to the chief fireman for place among the
stohers To this officers astonished INQUIRY
he explained that he merely wanted to keep
hin1self physically fit during the tedious
days at sea. He moved down from his
drawing room suite to the crews quarters
ard was duly enrolled as stoker one of
the shift chiefs knowing his secret He
worked at the boilers until the Mauretania
Swung into the Narrows
Back at his desk again Mr.. Williams
found himself equipped at last to meet the
employees on any ground they chose. He
felt he had discovered the way to establish
friendliness and trust between men and
employer. He had learned he says, the
secrets Of the, men themselves and what
they kicked about and what they wanted
Il knew how to turn their necessity of
having a good kick now and then into safe
channels; how to give them what they
wanted before they realized they wanted It;
how to give them opportunities to grow up
from the pick and shovel IL they wished,
and how to make them feel that whatever
they knew I knew too"
And so Mr.. Williams seems satisfied now
to remain at home, having undertaken
wider duties in the industrial field than
even that of the vice-president OF his former
company
The New York herald., 1922-04-23
utipe of Great Steel Plant Who Put On
Operalls and Worked as Ldborer in
Mines Here and abroad Just to Find
Out What the Miners and Other
Workn1en "Kicked About"

lows went to their lodgings at night drip
ping with perspiration, dead tired and
brain tagged from thinking about the pains
in their muscles, but not one of them ever
'cussed' his foreman because the work was
hard. They kicked about the foreman's
tone of voice, about the sound of the noon
whistle, about the temper of the superin-
tendent-about the company in general
man among them, was satisfied with his
Job.
They all would have liked to earn more
money, of course. And periodically they
decided to kick for raise. But that of
course is inherent. kicked too when the
timekeeper docked me half day for being
half an hour late one morning. And / will
say kicked as hard as any steer ever did
Perhaps 1t was little harder than would
have kicked If did not want to excuse my
conscience for quitting. / just couldn't
stand the physical strain any longer, but
didn't want to give in-until the docking
gave me a chance"
There Mr.. Williams found out what men
KICKED ABOUT. lie remembered Lndt later
when he became vice-president again.
After a few weeks as stoker in another
Gary plant Mr.. Williams found his seven
months leave Of absence expiring and he
returned to Cleveland. He arrived as he
had left, at night and still in overalls.
He had not told his wife he was coming.
He TAXED from the station to his neigh
borhood and dismissed the cab few blocks
from his home. He went around to his
back door and rang the servants bell. He
asked the maid who answered II he might
speak to her mistress. II really need somel
help and perhaps the lady of the house will
think 1t all right to give 1t to me-"
After some coaxing the maid called hex
mistress. Mrs. Williams did not recognize
her husband. She was persuaded to give
him two dollar bill and then he revealed
himself.
Later I had to return the two dollar
BILL" says Mr.. Williams.
After few months at his desk the Vice
president decided he needed first handI in
formation about conditions abroad.
With another leave of absence he went
to England. AT Southampton he again
The New York herald., 1922-04-23
Improved Electric Welding

The current Is then switched of, and the
two pieces are pressed together and united
The strength Of Yields made by this
process is claimed to be 9s per cent. OF that
of the unveiled material, and the process
can be successfully applied for welding
tube strips or similar material and espe-
cially for welding tool steel cutting ends to
ordinary iron or steel holders. In such
cases and for all large sections 1t has been
found advisable to bring the pieces to
red heat by using the current as in ordi-
nary butt welding, forcibly separating
them IL necessary with the current
switched of before starting the fusing
process.
The New York herald., 1922-04-23

= LECTRIC welding has two principal
applications, the arc and Resistance
processes respectively, spot weld
ing being special modification df the lat
ter applied TO sheet work. These applica-
tons are unsuitable for complicated work
or for sections Of irregular profile, so the
fusion process has been employed.
BY this process the two pieces to be
welded are brought sufficiently close to
strike a series Of arcs between them. The
pieces are than gradually drawn together.
so that the whole welding area appears to
be enveloped in shower Of sparks. the
sections being thus gradually melted in an
even manner over the whole area.
The New York herald., 1922-04-23

Mr.. williams. "later on when / went back
to be vice-president. / saw that every man
had a chance to get above the pick and
shovel IL he wanted it. I'd never thought
of that before"
Mr. williams cultivated Bill. They lived
at the same lodging house. you got some
thin of a eduction, Buddy" Bill re-
marked one evening to the vice-president
OF bigger plant than they both were
working for, but this was as close as any
OF his companions ever came to penetrat-
ing his disguise, Mr.. Williams says.
There were not so many foreigners at
this plant as I wished" Mr.. Williams ex-
plains, $50 decided to move on"
He had saved biz for railroad fare and
struck out for the mine country near Du-
luth. Here he worked in the iron mines
for three months as helper and bucket man.
Then he moved on to Gary. Ind, and in the
great steel mills there soon found place as
drag out man." This is perhaps the hard
est job for laborer in a steel plant. Its
only requirement Is physical endurance.
Nearly all drag out men are foreigners.
They seem to stand the endurance test
better.
"Of all my experiences" says Mr.. Will
Jams, II am proudest of the fact that
held out four weeks at this Job. 1t was
hard, but got through. I wanted to get
at the viewpoints Of this class of laborer-
the drag out men. wanted to know what
they talked about what they thought about
and what they kicked about. Every man
know must have something to kick about.
The great financier kicks about the depre-
ri nj M ,oI1 lob
about the expansion Of interest. Every
body kicks about something. And it was
what the laborer kicks about wanted to
learn.
II FOUND the drag out men kicked about
everything under the sun except the hard
ness of their work. The great husky fell
The New York herald., 1922-04-23

came one of $4,000 employees, starting at
the bottom of the ladder. To keep his dis
guise complete he moved from his fashion
able apartments to a lodging house
Four years later Mr.. Williams was
elected by the board of directors of the cor
poration to be its vice-president, aud into
bis hands was given full charge of the com
pany's employment department, it's person
mel services and all it's relations with its
employees.
BY this time Mr.. Williams had worked
his way through every department Of the
plant never revealing his identity until he
reached an executive position which
brought him into contact with men who
had known him as president of the We'll
fare Federation. 1t was after an explana.
tion brought about by these meetings that
he was promptly chosen as vice-president,
and when his purpose in climbing the lad
der as common workman was explained
the control Of the company's employees and
their relations to the company was put into
his hands
Mr.. Williams now returned to his better
quarters, soon to be expanded into pala-
tial home in celebration Of his marriage.
He was then 80 years old-perhaps the
youngest vice-president of corporation
employing $4,000 men in the country
After two years. however, the vice-presi-
dent decided that even with four years
experience in the ranks and two years in
the vice-president's chair he had not
learned enough. He found he was not as
successful as he wished to be in establish
ing cordiality between the employees and
the employer. He discovered that condi-
tions elsewhere In o.her great Industrial
centers always brought about reaction In
his own plant. He found the influence OF
workmen moving In from other communi-
ties was always disturbing. He felt that
he should have still broader experience.
He believed there was still but one way
to gain this experience.
He obtained leave of absence from his
board OF directors. At home he searched
out the overalls and jumper he had thrown
aside years before. Into the pockets OF
these he put twenty-five dollars and after
dark left his luxurious residence, also leav-
ing careful instructions to Mrs. Williams
that she was to send her letters to him
always addressed to General Delivery at
whatever towns he might designate to her
by telegram He didn't know where he
was going or when he would arrive.
He followed the laborers' course in
striking out for Pittsburgh, the largest
of the steel centers. This was by freight
train. "The man who is beating his way
about the country almost always is just
an honest workman out Of work." says
The New York herald., 1922-04-23

make as IL you're always
workin'-then you'll get on.
The foreman's a bad egg,
but he won't notice you II
you don't notice him.
when I thanked him for
his advice Bill said: oh,
that's all right. I'm not so
bad as they make out. They
say I'm a trouble maker and
/ can't get more than the
shovel an pick, but all |
wants is what's my own. If
they give me that I'll lay off
the trouble. Just gimme a
square deal and a chance to
make the old woman COM
Portable with her regular
bread and her Saturday
night jaw because l took a
dollar out O. me envelope
before / gets home, and I'm
all right. Otherwise I'm all
wrongs
Il remembered Bills state
ment of principles" says
The New York herald., 1922-04-23

cleveland.
ME recently announced resignation of
Whiting Williams as. vice-president
of the Hydraulic Pressed Steel Cor
poration Of Cleveland, Ohio, one of the
large industrial organizations of the world,
has brought to light a most extraordinary
story of a mans departure from the usual
methods employed by men of high rank
in the industrial world to attain success
Mr.. Williams was the son of a wealthy
Ohio banker and was given a thorough
technical education in preparation for his
advent into the world of big business.
While at his college he decided to become
associated with the steel industry, and bis
family prestige assured him a prominent
place in this field as soon as he might
wish to actively enter business
After his graduation from college he
visited many Of the country's largest steel
plants, his wealthy father assuring him
that he might select the one with which
he wished most to be identified and that
ccrdingly.
While making this tour Of inspection"
the young college graduate observed that
in almost every steel plant he visited
there was trouble with the men"-labor
troubles-always dismissed as union
troubles" after only surface considera-
tion of the various phases OF unrest. The
young man decided, with the daring of the
young college graduate, that he could map
out an especial field for himself by discov-
ering what might be the matter with labor
conditions and find. too, their remedy.
He obtained permission from his family
to associate himself with welfare organ
ization in Cleveland which was interested
mainly in the steel workers in that
vicinity
Backed by money and prestige, Williams
soon became active and so much depended
upon for advice and guidance in this or
ganization that he was chosen to be its
president. The organization was subsid-
iary to the Cleveland Chamber of Com
merce and exerted powerful influence in
welfare work throughout the city. AS ,ts
director Williams came into contact with
virtually every labor dispute in the district
by laborers of unfriendly or unjust treat
ment by their employers.
After serving two years as head OF this
organization Mr.. williams decided 1t was
time for him to gain bit OF actual expert
ence Of those conditions OF which the en-
ployees at the various great Industrial
plants seemed always to complain. He had
by now forgotten that self fixed destiny
which was to make him a large stockholder
and executive in some one OF the countrys
big steel plants. Steel, However, still ap-
pealed to him and he chose for his expert
ment the plant OF the Hydraulic Pressed
Steel Corporation.
He did not go to the president with his
visiting card. ask for an interview and ex-
plain his wishes Instead he put on an old
suit OF clothes purchased from second
hand dealer and went to the office OF the
employment clerk, handing in his name as
an applicant for common laborer's job.
He was taken on" at the regular scale Of
wages for the unskiled laborer. He be
The New York herald., 1922-06-18
Mexican Petroleum at New High.

Traders who have been hammering
Mexican Petroleum for several months
were punished yesterday. when the
pool controlling the stock seized
the favorable opportunity offered by
the successful elimination of the
Mexican banking conference to push
II into new high ground for the
year. Apparently the Mexican Petro-
leum pool felt fairly sure of the outcome
of the conference on Friday, rs the
stock advanced that day from l3o TO
above 143. recording a net gain of more
than points. On Saturday the stock
opened at 1441s and rose RAPIDLY on
urgent short covering to 14S. rev high
record for the year. 1t finished the day
at 145%, up 212 points. When Mexican
Petroleum declined to S44 last year,
bear traders were warned of the ianger
Of selling stock short owing to the fact
that shares outstanding did not greatly
exceed 100, 900. The amount of Mexican
Petroleum available for trading purposes
is much smaller than a year ago, so tnat
the shorts have found Themselves III
bad position. AS usual the advance IN
the stock was accompanied by rumors
that IT had been cornered.
The New York herald., 1922-06-18
TOPICS OF WALL STREET.
Rail Wage Reductions.

, The Railroad Labor Boards decision
cutting the pay of railway clerks and
miscellaneous workers brings the total
saving effected by recent decisions up to
approximately s1s5.0Oo. 900 yearly. No
other large reductions can be expected
until the. board considers employees in
train and engine service. whose working
rules probably will be revised in lieu OF
a straight pay cut. Together with the
wage szytng of s35e, 900, 900 effected by
the boards decision OF last summer and
revision of working conditions estimated
to pare the annual payroll down by
500. 100000. a grand total Of about
S5s5. 900 900 has been cut from the peak
of railroad employees wages Freight
rate revisions made since the last gem
eral rate increase and to be made on
July / probably will reduce the annual
revenues of the carriers by 450,00o,0OO.
leaving the roads a net saving in the
neighborhood of s135.000.000. In the
first six months of the current year 1t Is
calculated that the railroads will show
a surplus OF s55.0O0,000 over their fixed
charges. but this surplus falls about
2,500.000 short of dividend require
ments. The bright outlook for the sec
ond six months, which is normally the
big end of the year. makes 1t probable
that most railroads will earn their divi-
dends in the latter half of 1872.
The New York herald., 1922-06-18
The Rediscount Rate.

IL was intimated in well Informed
banking circles yesterday that there IS
no likelihood of cut In the rcdiscount
rate at the New York Federal Reserve
Bank at this time The two most i'm
portant reasons given for the disinclina-
ton of Reserve Bank directors TO fol-
low the lead OF the Bank OF England are
said to be the large Wall Street loans
and the probability of the passage of
soldiers, bonus In some form. ~ Is
pointed out that New York and London
now are moving Independently as far
as the money market is concerned, and
that change in the discount rate on
either side does not have the important
effect that it did before conditions
changed When the Bank Of England
reduced it's rate TO 31s per cent, a fuil
per cent. below the New York figure.
the impression prevailed that the New
York Federal Reserve Bank would be
compelled TO meet the reduction.
The New York herald., 1922-06-18
CHURCH LEAGUE CLUB
BOOMING MEMBERSHIP
Valuable Service Rendered to
Women.

4 determined drive for new MEM
hers in the interest of all church
women. both those visiting New YORK.
and those living in the city. IS being
made by the Church League club.
Park avenue. The membership COM
mittee has asked each member TO enron
fen new members Members are COM
ing in steadily. The present club house
has already proved Inadequate. walt
ing list is necessary for church women
who are applying for rooms in the ran.
and new club house will be built
The secretary said that the club had
ALREADY rendered valuable service TO
MANY church women. both young ana
old. She told Of n young church girl
who came to the club in deep distress
saving that her boarding place nad
heen sold and she had been turned out
literally with days notice. She re-
manned under the protection OF tne
club until a comfortable and suitaDe
boarding place was found for her.
Officers of the club are: Mrs. Howard
townsend Martin. president; Mrs FRED
eric w. Rhinelander. first vice-presi-
dent: Mrs. Richard Aldrich, second
vice-president; Mrs. Arthur T. Sutclitfe,
secretaryi Mrs. Edgar b. Van Wrinkle.
treasurer; Mrs Haley Fiske, chairman
of the finance committee; and Haley
Fiske and Stephen Baker, advisory
board. -
The New York herald., 1922-06-18
Rails Hold Firm.

Prices in the transportation group Of
stocks were strengthened by the Rail
road Labor Boards announcement OF
further wage reductions involving ap-
proximately S26.500,000 year. The
amount of the wage cuts for railway
clerks and related employees was some
what less than advance estimates, ana
the total saving in the railroads annual
payroll from reductions so far an
nounced falls considerably below the es-
timated loss in revenues through the i'm
pcnding 10 per cent. cut in freight rates
The belief prevails. nevertheless. that
the carriers are on the threshold OF
prosperous second half-year The con-
fidence OF railroad managers in a big
fall and winter business is reflected In
the large freight car orders placed since
the first of the year. The need OF the
railroads now Is settlement Of the coal
miners strike and after that the bar
vesting of a satisfactory crop.
The New York herald., 1922-06-18

consolidation plans. The merger will
be effected on June 2s. when a stock
holders meeting will be held and new
stock will be issued.
IL the conversion of the old stock
into new shares has been accomplished
before the regular dividend meeting of
the Tobacco Products Corporation In
July II is the intention of the directors
at that meeting TO declare si.75 dis
bursement on the new class "A" stock.
payable On August Is next. If the con-
version has not been accomplished by
that date the regular dividend Of $3.50
will be declared on Tobacco Products
common stock.
The earning power of the combined
companies is ample to permit payment
OF 81 on class "a" shares, II is pointed
out. There will be $4,000 shares OF
The New York herald., 1922-06-18
Market Comment.

We believe that the reaction in the
stock market has gone far enough to
correct a weak technical position.---A. J.
Johnson & CO. II seems likely there will
be a two-sided market in the near
flture.--McC'iave a Co. Until soma of
the uncertainties in the general situation
are cleared away, VIC would continue 10
hold to a trading position, buying only
on sharp dips and accepting moderate
profits.--Prince q Whitley. For the
market as a whole we look for reduced
activity. sagging prices and absence Of
penuine leadership over a considerable
period Until the standard stocks have
reacted 70 the point where reaccumu-
lation by the moro important interests
becomes sustaining factor. there Is
slight prospect for new high average
levels or for renewal Of the bull move
nent.-Paine, Webber & CO. The gem
oral market situation suggests caution
and seleotive purchases. hut we are dis
posed to feel that fundamental condi-
tions are too favorable 70 admit OF more
than technical declines at the present
time. --Tobey Il Kirk. The position Of
the market az whole and of numerous
stocks specifically was improved by the
decline. Most Es5d judges look for
resumption Of the upward move. but the
question 10 when.--Reinhart q Bennett.
The New York herald., 1922-06-18
steel shorts Pinched.

The demonstration of strength in the
steel group was due largely to covering
by shorts rendered nervous by the mass
of constructive evidence presented before
the opening of the market. Undoubted-
" the selling in the steel group had been
overdone, in view of the strong position
of the whole industry, so that great
rebound was inevitable. Shorts In
Crucible Steel were punished badly when
the stock showed some of its old form
by advancing more than points u
.71H,,, Laekawanna Steel advanced
points to 70. Republic l-on ana stee
3ss to eo7s and Steel common 1 point
TO 9S5k. These stocks all sold off
little before the close. but final prices in
the steel group still showed substantial
gaing
The New York herald., 1922-06-18

1881 100000 marks to 2.125. 0oo, 900
quick assets. 31,006.000 marks: de-
posits. 3s,617.o00 marks The net profits
are given as more than 292. 900 .00e
marks. The bank transferred to the re-
serve fund 00,00o.000 marks and paid
a dividend of 20 per cent
The banks capital and reserve for the
period reported upon were e50. 600 900
marks. which has since increased to
more than 1000. 900 900 marks in conse-
auence OF the recent fusion with the
German Petroleum Corporation.