davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Putnam patriot., 1922-01-20
MARRIED Is YEARS;
COUPLE CELEBRATE
MIR. and Mrs. Mitchell Basinet
of Putnam to Entertain
Tomorrow
Attend Nup,isi High Mas. Of Thanks
giving at ST. Mary's Church

The home of Mr.. and Mrs. Mitchell
Basinet, l5i Pomfret street. Putnam,
will be the scene tomorrow of a merry
celebration of the 25th anniversary of
their marriage Quite an elaborate
program has been arranged for the
occasion. and while entirely informal
in character. will bring together a
large gathering of relatives and
friends. Dancing will be one feature.
Mr.. and Mrs. Basinet were married
% years ago Wednesday, the 18th,
and that morning they and their chill
dren and numerous friends and rela-
tives were in attendance at 4 silver
anniversary nuptial high mass of
thanksgiving. celebrated at st. Msry's
church by the pastor, Rev. Charles F.
Bedard.
The couple were married in Putnam
at st. Mary's church on Jan. IL, 1897,
by Rev John van den Mort, who is
now in Holland. They have always
made their home in this city, and Mr..
Basinet is employed as a spinner at
the plant of the Putnam WOODEN Com
pany. with which concern he has been
identified for 35 years.
They have nine children, who COM
prise the following: Mrs. Isadore
Dubois. Mrs. Rose Shaw, Joseph,
Theodore, Melora, Bernadette. Anne,
Eugene and Estelle Basinet.
Putnam patriot., 1922-01-20
LANES NC CULLOCH
NEW NOBLE GRAND

laere was a large attendance OF
Odd Fellows in their hall Tuesday
night, when the officers of Israel Put
narn Lodge we're installed by District
Depaty Grand Master Alfred d. Ash
ley OF Central Village, and suite.
The lodge starts the year 1922 with
q membership Of 347, and if the past
few years are any criterion, before
another year has come, the member
shsr will be well en- the way toward
a half a thousand.
danes H. McCulloch was indicted
into Office as Noble Grand, and the
Other officers are as follows: Vice
Grand, Robert T. Chadwick; recording
secretary, Herbert A. johnson; finan-
oiaJ secretary. L. II. Fuller treasurer
Putnam patriot., 1922-01-20
ANOTHER CHANCE TO HEAR
QUALIFIED PUBLIC SPEAKER

Putnam has an opportunity TO hear
another good speaker who "knows
whereof he speaks" II is Mr.. Brad
street of Hartford. In his Office in
the old state house, he looks after
Americanization. unemployment, and
other allied matters. He believes in
the new Connecticut, and works for
il. He has experience in social prob
lens, heaps of human friendliness.
and the heroism that sees the world
as IL is and loves il.
He will discuss state work IN his
department, and answer questions.
Jan. 81, at $50, in Odd Fellows hall.
at meeting under the auspices Of the
County League Of Women Voters
Putnam patriot., 1922-01-20
HOT TEA BURNS
MOTHER AND CHILD
Mrs. Odor Marion Upsets Pot
on Stove, Scalding Herself
and Infant

Norman Marion, i6-months-old son
of Mr.. and Mrs. Odor Marion Of Prov
idence street, was badly scalded about
the face, shoulders and arms Monday
evening when the contents Of pot Of
boiling tea was accidentally spilled
By the mother when the pot was
knocked from the stove, Mra. Marion
also was painfully burned on the back
and arms, and both are under treat
ment Of Dr. Murphy, who believes
that the child. though severely and
painfully burned, IS not IN serious
condition and will recover II no COM
plieations set in.
The accident occurred when Mr.
Marion entered the house with an
armful Of wood, the baby rushing to
him, oyerjoyed BY his appearance. The
baby fell, however, in MS eagerness.
and in Fastening TO pick up the child.
Mrs. Marion upset the tea pot, the
contents of which spilled over herself
and the baby.
Putnam patriot., 1922-01-20

Leon I. Wilson; warden, Oliver T
Bancroft; conductor, Lambert Gustaf
son; chaplain, Kenneth c. Sharpe; K
S. n. G.. Fred d. Card; L. s. y. G..
Wilton T. Greene; r. S. V. G., Ever
EFT Campbell; L. S. V. c., Eldon S
Johnson: X. S. s., Harold Morrarty
l.. S. s., ]. W. Clifford; |. c.. Stanley
Shaw; o. G.. II. W. Sharpe.
Leon T. Wilson starts on his 10th
year as treasurer; Herbert A. John
son on his sixth as recording seere'
tary, and l.. r. Fuller has been tinan'
eial secretary almost as long as the
oldest inhabitaut can recall, he being
one of the charter members Of the To-
cal lodge. and hardly knows what II
is not 70 have been in Office, and being
the only Putnam man ever honored
with the election Of Grand Master. the
highest Office in the state.
At the close Of the meeting there
we're remarks by the visiting broth
ers, and By Past Masters Of the Local
lodge, Fred d. Card, Charles +. Rich.
ardson. J. Fred Ash. Mark Klebart
Arthur c. Dawson, and others. An
oyster stew supper supper was served
by a committee headed by Allie s
King, Frank II. Miller and Walter ID
Torrey. after which cigars were passec
around. and social hour was enjoyed
The members Of the installing suits
besides d. d. q. NJ, Alfred ID. Ashley
were as follows. d. d. G. Marshal
Clarence Peppers; D. D. G. Warden
Arthur Moffitt; d. d. G.. Secretary
Everett Dawley; ID. d. G. Treasurer
Frank Davis; d. d. G. Chaplain, Jas
,.n.. N n n laid. Cuard Tur
Putnam patriot., 1922-01-20

Less than 500 is now needed
10 complete the Day Kimball Hos
ptal Deficiency Fund of $4,000.
Contributions made during the
week past have brought the general
total Of the fund TO Ss,5li.45.
Meanwhile the active Womaa's
Board Of the Hospital has announce
Putnam patriot., 1922-01-20
Went In Quest of Work

She then decided TO try and find
employment out of town, Woonsoeket
or somewhere else The child was
left in the care Of Putnam family.
Aside from telephone commun-
ieation during the first week she Wa
away, telling that she had been unable
to find work. the mother has. in seven
weeks. not disclosed her whereabouts
to Mrs Bartlett or any other person
in Putnam. so far as known.
During the weeks that the baby has
been tenderly cared for in Putnam. il
has developed from a puny. mal-nutri-
ton condition into a rugged. plump,
healthy. normal baby and is loved and
petted by everyone who sees 1t.
What TO do with the child. if the
mother or father does not appear to
claim the baby. is the puzzle officials
must now. apparently, prepare them
selves to solve.
Putnam patriot., 1922-01-20

The Nightingale Morse Mills, Inc,
- the latest concern in Putnam to
notify its employees of a reduction IN
wages to be effective next Monday,
when also there will become operative
the lowered scale of pay announced
early this week by the Manhasset Man
ufacturing Company and several 9TH
.r mills in the Quinebsug valley, in
Guiding the Connecticut Mills Co. and
the Quinebaug Co. of Danielson, and
the Wauregan Co. of Wauregan.
So far as could be learned no other
,a.ai concerns have taken any action
pertaining to REIMBURSEMENT down
ward of wages paid in their factories,
and in some of them none are antiei-
Dated. While the notices posted COM
mencing on Monday. did not state
what the reduction in pay would
amount to, mill executives acknowl-
edged that it would figure out at prac-
/, ally 20 per cent.
Surprise to Mill Employees
While employees of mills in the
puinebaug valley. affected by this new
wage cut. had felt that they were
due" for a reduction, the announce
n,snt at this particular time was like
bolt out of clear sky. The cut
w.s not anticipated for months to
cone. And furthermore, they looked
re- it to have its origin in Fall River
e. New Bedford, the two big textile
ec1ters of New England.
In taking their decisive stand, IN the
faze of abnormal business conditions
and southern competition, local mill
executives started something, as
the saying goes, for scores of cotton
manufacturing plants all over New
England have since Monday announe-
e1 wage reductions to become effect
80 Immediately.
ManhAsset Mill Notice
-ollowing the posting of the notice
o. q reduced schedule of wages at the
Yanhasset Manufacturing Company,
the following explanatory notice WAS
posted by Agent Robert W. Boys:
20 our Employees
he tire fabric industry has been
ftder hit than any other textile line,
and our competitors are In much
Wo-se condition in regard to orders
thin we are. However, the point has
bean reached where new business IS
ALMOST impossible TO obtain on the
present basis of cost. This company
If prepared to take business without
prUit at the present time, but business
cannot be obtained even on this basis.
". are operating the plants at War
rea and Taunton part time IN order
to maintain our day and night run as
loug as possible at Putnam. II We
car.rot get more business it is only a
s,i. stion of time, and very short
tune at that. before we will be Obliged
10 hut down again, and we do not
WI TO repeat our experience of last
yea~ with all of its consequent dis
cor fort 20 everybody.
Action In Employees. Interests
We make this statement with the
hope that you will appreciate that it
is n your interest as much as any
oody's that we take this action Of re-
ducing wages, which will take effect
Jaa. %. OF course, there is no guar
aztec that even with this reduction We
VII be able to get business. but you
wiD readily understand that our
chances are better If our costs are
lover.
We are glad to take this opportuni-
y o express our appreciation Tor
vnr. loxal and faithful service. and
Putnam patriot., 1922-01-20
Egg. Still High

Eggs. and goodness knows il does
MT seem long ago that eggs seemed
about as expensive as pearls. have
dropped from away up, TO the point
where one can find dozen at SIS
cents. which isn't so darned cheap, is
it?
From the grocer we went TO consult
the butcher and he had something TO
say about reductions, too. IL may not
be news TO the housewife. but it may
be news to the house-husband. that
the cost of meats has done a little
dropping, too, since this same time
last year For instance, there was a
time when il seemed like eating a strip
Of fried bacon for breakfast. and IL
still isn't so terribly cheap, but any
how, bacon that cost so cents pound
in 1921 costs IS cents pound in this
month OF January. 1929. Sirloin beef
steak, always luxury. stays a lux
ury at 65 cents pound. while the top
cut has dropped from 55 to As cents.
Pork Is a dime cheaper, too, dropping
from 80 cents a pound TO % cents.
Pot roast has cut lis price in half. and
where il was 80 cents II is Ia To "a
Putnam patriot., 1922-01-20
BABY ABANDONED
OFFICIAL BELIEF
Mother Disappeared Seven
Weeks Ago After Placing
Child In Putnam Family
Fathers Whereabouts Also I'm
known.-Fear Mothers Safety

There is an official sentiment that
either the mother of the five-months'
old baby left IN the care of Putnam
family. has either abandoned her
child or something has happened To
her to cause her non-appearanee in
the city during the past seven weeks.
II was nearly two months ago that the
mother arranged through Mrs. W. j.
Bartlett of the state committee for
the Protection Of Girls and Women, TO
have the baby cared for by local
woman. while she sought employment
out Of town. and since then she has
not disclosed her whereabouts. The
situation as now constituted. presents
quite a problem for city officials. for
unless the mother is heard from Tor
the father. whose place of residence
also is unknown) the child must be
disposed of, probably by placing it in
home for destitute children.
Putnam patriot., 1922-01-20

ed a Valentine Tea to be held on
the afternoon Of Saturday, Feb. I.
The tea will be followed by dance
in the evening, and at both times
an effort will be made TO secure
additional pledges to the Deficiency
Fund. The standing Of the fund
for the week is as follows:
Putnam patriot., 1922-01-20

cents. Ham has come down nicke& D.
nickel during the year. aud where il
was IS cents in 1921 it is no~ 25
cents
Clothes Are 30 Is Per Cent Loser
So much for food A man must
have food, and he must also have raj
ment. Men, we discovered. hxvc a
little relief from the almost unbehcva-
bly, high costs that their clothes
touched Immediately after the war.
Clothes aren't. as we all know. at pre-
war prices once more. but they ARE
coming down gradually and surely.
For instance. where man was pay
ing $50 for an overcoat last year, he
only paid x35 for similar coat this
season. and the same reduction Is true
in suits. Moreover, there is hope in
the announcement that spring viii
probably bring with il 10 to Is PER
cent reduction in the cost of woolens-
Cotton goods have also taken deeid-
ed drop.
As for the women. We found cot
that suits and coats had been redueed
about 20 per cent in cost this year. In
fact, one merchant declared that the
retail price for women's clothes this
year was about the same as the
wholesale price on the same garments
last year. By the spring there Ia n
chance that women's clothes will have
been reduced about 80 Ia per cent
from the peak of prices that they
reached on the high tide of costs. OF
course, too, women's clothes differ
from mems and are harder to locate.
since material. style and the sllheu-
cite of the season have not little to
do with their values. I,
Shoe, Coming Down Slowly
Well. we said, now that we have
found how man is fed and clothed.
how about the price of shoes7 And
there We found cause for relief. for
you may not believe il, shoes, too, are
getting back to normal. Time was
when good pair of shoes might be-
bought for So and less. but once the
price blimp of shoes got away from it,
mooring. the prices scared higher and
higher. Last year men were paying
as high as SIS for the best grade Of
shoes sold in Putnam, but this year
the same grade IS selling for $40.
Ladies', too, who paid sic for the
dainty little trifies Of leather for
their pedal eXtremities, are now pay
ing gladly only $40 for the same style
shoe. Children.-and TO the family
man no reduction in prices viii be
more appealing now obtain ex-
cellent shoes for s., where year ago
they were paying 81.
Then We called up the coal man. for
heat one must have even AS clothes
and food. Coal remains high-but
not without hope. For instance. the
man who was filling "A voracious fur
mace at $3.50 ton for black dfa-
monds last year, is paying this year
$3.50. not great reduction. but
reduction. none the less, and one that
has the advantage so far of a fairly
mild winter. Wood that last year.
when sawed and split. cost as high as
$3.50 a cord, has dropped slightly 10
$3.50. So the man who kept WARN
last winter has slightly reduced
price to help him keep the furnace go
ing this winter.
Rents Are High and Scarce
L E<.xIF
Putnam patriot., 1922-01-20
Wife Sought Husband Here

The mother and baby came to Put
nam three months ago to seek the hus.
band. who is also the father of tive
other children, who are being cared
for BY friends. The mother located
the father at the Manhasset mill, and
sought. through the police. to cause
him to pay her the S. a week which a
judge had ordered the father to con.
tribute toward the support of his wife
and family. and which the wife claims
was never done by the husband. She
was very bitter against the Putnam
police when she failed to get action
from them, and almost Immediately
the husband disappeared for parts uu.
known.
The destitute mother and child, hav.
ing come 10 the attention of Mrs.
Bartlett, was advised TO place her
baby in the care of reliable family,
and herself work in the mill to main.
tain herself and offspring This she
did. paying the baby's board regularly
every week. Then she lost her posi-.
ton with the laying off Of employees al
the Nightingale Morse mill. where she
worked.
Putnam patriot., 1922-01-20
EXPECT VETERAN
TO RETURN SOON
Raymond II. Brown Has Long
Delayed Operation and Is
Progressing
Piece of shrspnel Removed From
Baek.-Also Section OF Bone

Raymond H. Brown. the Putnam
World War veteran who languished
in the government hospital Oh West
50th street, New York City, for weeks
awaiting the time when surgeons
would operate upon him to remove a
piece Of shrapnel from his lower
back. is coming home soon. He has
had his operation and is gaining SPLEEN
didly. indicating that his rriease is
not far distant and that he sill soon
be with his mother and wife here. and
his friends too, all of whom will b.
happy to have him among them again.
Operation Follows News Story
Putnam people will recall that The
Patriot printed some wes.ks ago u
story about Mr. Browns having been
confined to the government hospital,
and Of his waiting for weeks for sur
geons to give his case attention. Il is
pertinent fact and one which is sig
nificant that the week following the
printing of TIE story. Mr. Brown was
operated upon and his recovery dates
from that moment.
# was on Nov. 20 last that he en-
tered the hospital and it was thought
then that he would be- able 10 return
home for Thanksgiving. But that hol-
iday season passed and he continued
TO await surgical treatment. NRay
pictures showed that he was a sufferer
from a piece of shrapnel that had be-
come lodged in the lower part of his
back, near the spine. while he was in
aetiye service overseas.
Operation Serious One
The shrapnel, according to sur
geons. changed its position, forming
in each place a puss pocket and by
the time he was operated upon there
were any number of such pockets.
The shrapnel was removed and each
of the so-called pockets had 10 be
cleaned up Surgeons also removed
piece of dccayed bone, one of the
complications resulting from his war
injuries.
Since his operation Mr.. Brown has
had one severe setback. but this over
come, he has made steady progress
back to health. and aside from bad
cough, is feeling well, considering
what he has been through.
He was discharged from active ser
vice on Feb. 10. 1919.
Putnam patriot., 1922-01-20
Wage. Still 45So Above 1917

As matter Of comparison of wage
conditions at the Manhasset Manufac-
turing Company. Agent Boys told a
Patriot reporter that from June 1,
1917. to June /. 1920. his mill has ad-
vaneed wages total of TIN per
cent, this being done by increases of
10 per cent, twice; ID per cent, three
times. and ~ per cent, once. The
first reduction came Dec. 20, 1920,
and amounted TO 22la per cent.
Jumping the wages of loomfixers,
spinners. Office employees and others
the Manhasset mill will reward en-
ployes even now with this new 20 per
cent cut figured in, practically 40 per
cent higher wages than were effective
back in 1917 when living costs began
to rise, Agent Boys states.
The Tatem wood turning shop has
also announced 20 per cent reduc-
ion in wages.
Putnam patriot., 1922-01-20

At the monthly meeting Of the Wo-
mans Board Of the Day kimbail Hos
initial wedresssw = 'va1- j,.srza,.'ss s = = ]
Putnam patriot., 1922-01-20
Local Prices LOlUer In 1922
Than AT Same 1921 Season
FOOD PRICES SHOW DECIDED DECREASE IN COURSE
OF A YEAR.-CLoTHES LOWER FOR BOTH MEN
AND woMEN-sHoEs DOWN, TOO.
City Continue High and Scarce With Many Rents
Raised

Where's II going to end2" asked a
man standing IN front of the bank
Tuesday when the news OF the general
cut IN wages in New England mills
began to sift about town. What's
the family man going to do with rents
higher than ever before. with food
costs mighty little lower than they
were a year ago. and clothing costs
still too high to buy more than u suit
in lifetime?"
He was grousing, all right, that
guy was. and in the face of cincum-
stances it seemed to The Patriot re
porter who overheard him that he had
aplenty to complain ahoutg So the
reporter came back TO the office and
told the editor about it. and the ed
itor agreed with him. But before
they told the facts in the form re-
counted on the street corner. The Pa
triot did little quiet investigation of
its own, with the result that IL found
out that bad as matters are for the
working man, they are not n third so
bad as they were a year ago. and not
half 80 bad as they might he. s
Groceries Much Lower In Price
First there was prominent Put,
nam grocer who was interviewed A
grocer is always a good man 10 tackle
first on economic questions because.
ray what YOU will, prices hit mans
stomach more quickly than any other
portion Of his anatomy. He can wear
old clothes, but he can't eat old food.
Now the grocer said that first Of all
there was the drop in sugar. When
sugar went up to the very crest Of the
price wave upward. II touched as high
as % cents a pound. Sugar today Is
selling for six cents a pound, or
in one place, 10 pounds for dollar.
That was a good beginning, the re-
porter thought. But there have been
other drops. Potatoes not so very long
ago were S1.25 peck. and now
they're only 45 cents peck. Lard
has dropped from "a cents TO fifteen
cents pound, and butter. which dan
died around at 20 cents a pound is
now selling at so cents Bread has
taken a tumble. too, and where the
staff of life cost | x cents. it now costs
- with some loaves cheaper than
that "a report that the five cent loaf
has again appeared in New York,
though the wires don't bring any de-
tails of size and quality
Putnam patriot., 1922-01-20
Demands For Goods Poor

The demand for the past six months
for such goods rs our mills are equip
ped to make has been the lowest IN
our history. We can not safely go on
piling up goods at the present high
cost. Under these conditions we must
either shut down our plants on reduce
costs. At this season of the year, for
the good of all concerned, We do not
wish TO close our plants, so we are
adopting the only alternative, !. e., to
reduce wages. With this proposed re-
duction in costs we are prepared TO
run until spring and pile up goods, at
which time, with warmer weather be
fore Us, we will decide whether il Is
wise to continue to run our plants or
to curtail production by running part
time. Congress does not seem to re-
alize with goods costing twice what
they did during the pre-war period,
that even the rates of the Payne-Al-
drich tariff would only give us one
half the protection We had at that
time. We believe that the textile in
dustry of New England, owing TO the
proposed tariff and southern competi-
ton. is facing the most serious eondi-
ton in its history"
Putnam patriot., 1922-01-20
LESS THAN 81, 500 is NEEDED
TO COMPLETE HOSPITAL FUND

During Week Total Of Donations
Board Plans Valentine TsaContrbatien
In Five Towns.
Putnam patriot., 1922-01-20

The last thing we inquired about
was rents. II man works in the midi
and has his pay reduced through the
Putnam patriot., 1922-01-20
Neutrality-suspicious. Mills
Give Notice OF Wage Cut
CONCERN FOLLOWS LEAD OF MANHASSET MFG. co.
AND OTHER OUINEBAUG VALLEY PLANTS
WHICH ANNOUNCED REDUCTIONS
Employees Anticipated This Second Seng of Their Pay But Not
at This Time-Southern Competition Among Causes

also to express our appreciation for
the quality Of work which You are
producing. II is only a matter of time
when Manhasset quality will become
sufficiently recognized so that we may
be assured of orders TO run US con-
tinuolsly.
Manhasset Manufacturing Company
Robt W Boys, Agent.
MIR. Atwood's Statement
J. Arthur Atwood. manufacturer
and banker, treasurer of the Quine-
baug Co. (Danielson) and the Waure-
gan Company. Wauregan, is quoted as
follows in statement about the re-
duetion in wages.
1.-THE condition in the textile in
dustry in New England is such, owing
mainly to southern competition where
they run longer hours and the pay Is
much lower. that the mills in New
England must either reduce costs OF
go on short time. The south in many
places has gone back TO pre-war wag-
es and even the large manufacturing
centers in the south, are only about
so per cent above pre-war wages,
which at that time were much lower
than wages in the north. Labor to-
day in our mills in the north is loo
per cent above the pre-war period
and those of us who are old enough to
remember, know that weayers today
in the north are earning more thar
three times what they did during the
Cleveland administration.