New Britain herald., 1924-02-23
1.-THE OBSER VER-
Makes Random Observations On the City and Its People

state permit the extraction Of nc
 money from the miners pay, except
 for oil and explosives he purchases al
 the mines, if he is a contract miner.
 For this payment he receives a writ
 ten statement with his pay check.
 Exorbitant prices, jockying of ac-
 counts so that the miner collects lt-
 tie or no pay, are evils of the dim and l distant past. But they live wildly i'll
 the memory of the older generations
 and beget hatred for employers in the
 minds and imaginations of the young
 CT, even though the cause has ceased l to exist
 Absentee ownership is another cause of the unrest. There is no con-
 tact between employe and employer. Occasionally the directors of the con-
 pany roll in in their special railroad car which is set on a siding and an
 inspection begins. Accompanying them is the mine inspector, elected
 by vote of the people and the one man in authority whp is not the own CT. and all the high officials of the operators go with him. They appear to the breaker boy, sitting on rough board, splashed continuously with dirty black sulphur water or breath ing great clouds of coal dust, as he picks out Jumps of coal often with sharp edges that cut his hands, as sort of demi-gods, or more often as wealthy tyrants.
 Another thing the miner, high pric- aH fhnlol, hn yr11Isf Nnntan6 with. Day after day, week after week and month after month in the mining towns familiar sight on the street is gloomy looking black vehicle, drawn by mules, taking home all that remains of some unfortunate who went back too soon, carried an open flame into & gas pocket or made misstep and paid for his troubles by being carried out crushed and bleed- ing mass.
 Yes, Mir. Newton, the coal mining business is slipping and it is going be- cause of labor unrest in the anthracite regions. But going also are the young men, born and reared in the anthracite regions, and if satisfac- tory substitute can be found for coal, when the old time miner has disap- peared and new industry takes the place of mining in Pennsylvania, the Keystone state will be better off, many people believe.
 Sound business conditions are re- fected in the statements issued by the boards of directors of New Britain manufacturing enterprises. The amount of business done by the American Hardware corporation and the news that it has such a large sur plus are indications that the year 1923 was busy ono in this city. The is the largest in the com munity and on it's prosperity depends the welfare of thousands Of families, The surplus may not be of direct in- terest to the man who sweeps the floors but it has bearing on he will continue to wield his broom and on the amount of money he receives for his labor. It is grati- flying to learn that the corporation has had such successful business year because 1t means that tho man. agement has been alert 10 its oppor- 
 It is said that the profits Of the Stanley Works last year were very large. The management of this cons ccrn is noted for its aggressiveness, proof Of which is found in the report that the net return on invested capi- tai and personal effort were satisfac- tory.
 The action of the directors of Hart X Cooley in declaring an extra four per cent dividend to holders Of stock Is evidence that this company has and that the management the prospects for the future Lright. Directors do not declare xtra dividends if they believe that there may be any immediate need for the money thus disbursed.
 New Britain has been fortunate in | normal industrial conditions. | It's residents have prospered in pro- portion to the prosperiay of the fac- ories. Although other cities may nave suffered from temporary depres- | sions. New Britain has been working | steadily.