, 1956-03-09

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tbey need more WORKERS. therefore they came out with the scheme
Of setting US quotas which, if complied with, would necesstate
the RELEASE Of the majority Of our men to them. This. We. learned
at the scale house on February % 1856. Prior to this unreasonable
decision, we averaged 800 tons nr man daily. Now we have been
cut to 80 tons per day.
We Immediately conferred with Dr.. Bartlett, accompanied by
our field superior, Nj. Petersen. Quoting Dr. Bartlett, statistics show
ed that there were many non-grinding hours prior to the commence
nent Of our cane deliveries. Except for breakdown periods. the mill
has been in constant motion since we began delivering. Yet, the only
decision DR.. Bartlett could make was that we used poor judgement
in bringing in so many men, and that Vicorp would take them. It
was, and still is the consensus of opinion that Dr.. Bartlett and
MI. Proverbs were the ones who used poor judgement by not bring
ing in sufficient men.
In the charter of VcorD, provisions were made tt. have every
thing done to encourage private industries. In this conference. DR.
Bartlett remarked that he would be glad if everyone of the damn
400 small farmers go out of business. Yet he said that his reason
for setting quotas on us is for their best interest.
Ward Canaday Inc, and the St. croix Sugar Cane Industries
are also private growers. DR.. Bartlett and MI. Proverbs made sure
that the quotas for these growers were set SO high that there would
be no complaints from them Ward Canaday's quota is 81 tons per
day. Over a 20 day period, he delivered l7OO tons, with a maximum
of workers employed.
The S. crix Sugar Cane Industries has a quota of 70 tons per
day. Over the same 20 day period it delivered 1900 tons. 1t is clear
that these 2 growers are unable to fill their quotas. Yet, we find
that FILA farmers who delivered as mach as 40 tons per day have
been fooEshly cut to 80 tons daily.
-"OD 1919 y" AG0A - oWahIH ooy L10b LC u. TIA ldImc
es could no longer be considered small farmers We are classed
with THE ST. Croix Sugar Cane Industries and Ward Canaday Inc"
We therefore demand an equal opportunity to deliver our sugar
canes.
We have bee unsuccessful only because we have worked damn
hard. We would not allow Dr.. Bartlett nor Mr. Proverbs to run u.s..
Mr.. Proverbs is just as much a foreigner as any one of these
men whom. we have employed. In fact, though he has resided in
Y. S. territory longer than many of the FILA farmers have age,
one could easily tell his place of origin was Barbados.
+, conforanoa ri+h ~ por4Io++ - ea.5 - II -
unreasonable. The word Compromise" is foreign to him. However,
the conference proved one thing. DR.. Bartlett and MI. Proverbs are
determined to get our workmen. VICORP has an opening for 80
men, and the best way to get them is to establish small quotas for
us. The reason for this is long range. They feel that if our work
men are placed insuch an unfavorable position where their week
" earnings are small this year, then vIcORP would have no trouble
in getting them next year.
If vIcoRP is to fulfil the provisions Of its charter, there are
many changes to be made.
With the imminent meeting of the Board of Directors in st.
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