Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-08-11

uated, CrarlerS mlll-or mostly MS.
Technically a company owns il.
Surrounding the mill clusters the
town Of Cramerton, with q popula-
ton OF some thousands. Here the
mill workers dwell.
1t all belongs TO Cramer-or to
the company which he controls.
A few months ago Cramer was
prominently mentioned for a place
in President Hoover's cabinet. He
would have done 1t credit, as q
magnificent aristocrat. If Hoover
had given him a portfolio.
In the middle ages. when feudal-
ism was a recognized institution,
there must have been a good many
kindly. well-meaning barons who
treated their serfs the best way
they knew how.
1 believe we are safe in assuming
that barons like this were the bal
barons' severeSt critics sometimes
fearing that the whole system Of
feudalism would fall into disrepute
through these hard customers
malefactions.
If these good barons' shades can
read today'S historical verdict on
their times-a verdict which con-
dennis the entire feudal period as
a kind Of prolonged nightmare
making no more allowances for
barons than for bad cnes-they I'M
d~oubtedly consider themselves the
victims Of a rank injustice.
I a fully understand that a
good textile barCn-such, obviously,
as the overload of ~Cramerton-
would feel nremisely thus. on hear
ing the southern cotton textile in
dustry indiscriminately roasted.
Working hours are long. as else
where in textile Dixie-land, but
here is a mill where the "stretcn
out clearly has not been stretched
inhumanly.
Pay is low in comparison with
northern textile pay and still low
er in comparison with the pay in
most other industries, north or
solth-but there are a lot of COM
pensations for that.
The workers cottages are first
class cottages, well kept and with
all modern conveniences. Their
surroundings are hardly short of
parklike.
theoretically they're rent free"
said the baronial retainer, but we
do charge SO cents a room weekly.
for electricity. water and upkeep-
that is, about $40 monthly for a
four or five-room cottage. How
ever. II a hand Is laid off through nc
fault Of his own. he is entitled to
keep his home, at our expense, I'M
I'll he gets other employment, or
indefinitely. If he prefers to wait
until We recall him to the Cramer-
ton MILL"
"At best you don't do more than
break even on your rentals?" I sug-
geated.
And that's doubtful" replied the
retainer.
Then why keep 1t up? 1t must
be a tremendous responsibility"
1T ties up an enormous amount
Of capital. too" said the retainer.
This company never has paid a
common stock dividend. All its
profits have gone back into the
property. But we have to house
the workers. Where could they live
otherwise?"
The company does not stop at
furnishing cottages.
1t provides a social life for Cram
erton. II encourages sports and en-
tertainments OF all wholesome sorts.
1t sees TO 1t that good schools are
available. 1t maintains a church, q
fine community house, a hospital
and offers medical attendance.
Rather curiously," remarked the
retainer, "a great many Of the
workers object to our health super
vision. They want their W doc
tors"
And there you have itl-the
secret.
Inc system a. Cramerton-not
everywhere, by a long shot Is be-
%nevolent, but X Is too feudal-too
p%aternal.
The workers crave independence.
Who wants to be a vassal?-even
at Cramerton.
PARIS, Pl-Trying to ride first
class IN a SnCopd r1aSc ef,hu-.v
ticket Is the favorite Partisan sport.