The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-12-20
LETTERsTOTHE EDITOR
Made Up of Employers and Employees
in Granite Industry.

IN Jranlte INDUSTRY.
Editor, Times: My recent election as
president Of the Granite Manufactur-
ers' association was total surprise to
me, inasmuch as am, and always have
been, a friend Of the workmen. In fact,
they have not more staunch support
er in the country than I am. There Is
nothing enjoy more than having some
Of the men with whom used to work,
or any others know, drop into the of
flee, smoke cigar and talk over old
times, or the present difficulties and
their possible solution. Nearly every
day something of this sort happens.
and it is Just as likely to be one Of
the strikers as anybody, but that
makes no difference. They are all well
come, and they know it. / told my
brother manufacturers all this, and
they said that was just the kind Of a
man they wanted-one that the work
men had confidence in.
Now. have the workmen really gained
anything by the continual interruption
OF work for thirty years back! ] be-
lieve that the difference between what
they have actually earned. and what
they might have earned, would buy ev-
cry one of them fine home, and
bank account besides. l saw this sum
mer men capable of earning $40 per
day--and they were worth IL. too, II
working at their trade-digging in the
streets for nine hours in the hot sun
for So. Probably his mentor enjoyed
the cool breeze meanwhile. Now, II
this man should actually attain what
he struck for and get partly onto his
feet again, it would not be more than
a year or two before he would be
knocked fat and have to go through
il all over again. I refer to a thirty
wears record to bear me out. Prob
ably this is the last fight in the gran
lite business. II the unions can con-
troll. it absolutely they will choke il 10
death. If the American plan can be
made successful everybody will be so
we'll pleased that no one viii want to
fight.
/ believe in union--a union of COM
non interest of labor and capital, a !
feeling Of comradeship between en-
Dloyer and employe. No one wants to
-eturn to conditions Of pre-vhr days. |
capital and labor are dependent upon
.ach other Why shouldn't they work I
ogetheri Why shouldn't they. whose
interests are identical. settle their own
Iffairs, instead Of being dictated TO by
ome professional agitstor whose sue
ess is measured by the amount Of
rouble he Is able TO create-who has
Iothing TO lose. but has some sure sal
ny which he wrings out Of the work
mems envelopes when they are work
ng, and out of their hides when their
eaders have induced them TO refuse
God pay and enter long periods Of
riyation. II
Whoever heard Of a labor leader con-
his salary TO help those whose
appiness he holds as lightly as his
ersonal ambition will permit 2. When
he radical agitator can say 70 himself:
Ha. have made good. am one hun
red per cent successful" Then a coun-
~ i in hell. with Russia. What are II
be most prosperous cities and towns ,
! the states to-day. aud whyf Which
re the happy. contented communities
here the workman can buy a home
nd build up a fund to take care II
l. needs, OF educate bis children with
NJ fear that he viii Be thrown out Of
-ork at any time. eat Up his savings o.
o into debt or BOTH Why. n we
lould have two years Of peace in the
ranite business, it, labor leaders
ould be frantic-for their business j.
, see that things do not 90 peaceful
great while. Haven't Ne had enough
atent the employer and the work-
an. the merchants and everybody else
Washington county had enouEht
What j. tire solution 81 this trea-
et The American plan. i j. partly
inrezsful already There are lots 81
ID. reliable men On both sides-msa