Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-04-15
Head of Textile Work
ers Asks Answer to
Series of II
Hints That Publicity on All
Points Would Furnish Basis
for Prosecution Under Sher-
man Antitrust Law -
Quotes Dividend Figures
Asks Questions on Wages
and Amount of Profits

Boston. April 14.-An open letter
from Thomas F. Mcmahon, president
of the United Textile Workers of
American to Edwin Farnham Greene,
treasurer of the Pacific Mills of Law
renee. was made public tonight by
the labor bureau, inc.
The letter, after statement as to
the companys dividends since 1884,
propounds to Mr.. Greene Il questions
involving several points in controver-
sy in the present textile situation.
The official recently issued "a state
ment explaining the position of the
manufacturer in the present crisis.
Mr.. Mcmahon in his last question
asks whether Mr.. Greene, thinks that
full publicity on these points would
furnish basis for prosecution of these
mill officials under the Sherman Anti
Trust Law which prohibits combina-
ton in restraint of trade"
The letter in an exposition of divi-
dends paid by the Pacific Mills. de-
clares that in the last generation the
company had paid its stockholders
in cash the par value of its capitali-
cation four and one-half times over
In addition" the letter says. Pa
cific mills has paid its stockholders
stock dividends at least as follows
during this period.
1912, 200 per cent. ($6,000.00 900 par
O00 -
value. has also twice given its
stockholders the privilege of sub
scribing to shares at substantially
less than the market price ($6,000,0O0
par value in 1912; $J,O00,000 par value
in 1870: however, sincethe value of
these latter gifts to stockholders can
not be exactly stated, it will be con-
sdered no further
The public who bought the cloth
and the operatives Who have made it,
',McMahon declares, "have contribut-
cd to the Pacific Mills in profits
enough to have bought the company
outright at par value of its capital
ization four or five times over in the
last genera ton"
Turning TO the present textile sit
| uation, the letter SAYS:
you have stated publicly that you
believe in Justice for the solution of
the present controversy. You are not
only treasurer of the Pacific Mills,
one of the two or three largest in the
country; YOU are also director in q
number of other mills and are, in
fact. one Of the captains of the tex
tile industry.
"Your opportunity is proportionate
to your power. You can contribute
to a Just settlement. g believe that
il will help the public to decide what
is justice if you will publicly answer
the following questions:
1-What is the lowest wage which
should be paid to any male textile
worker over 81? Under 21?' To any
female textile worker?
| "2-Is there any limit to the amount
! Of profit which it is just for your
company to take?
49, Do you believe that humanity,
including textile workers should pro-
coed gradually and steadily to i'm
prove their condition in life, or do
! you believe That textile workers
should be permanently satisfied with
their present wages and the condi-
ton of life which those wages make
possible?
"A. If YOU believe that textile
workers should strive to better their
conditions of life and to raise their
wages as means of attaining such
| betterment can you suggest how the
textile workers can strike for such
results without using their economic
power against their employers by
striking. as at present?
IS. You stated publicly that you
believe in justice; do you believe that
collective bargaining is Just for the
Continued on Page 3-Col. y