score. There has never been a general strike in these works, some departments have made demands and some men have gone so far as to leave their work, and on one occasion only did one whole depart ment, some 300 men, go out on strike. That question was settled by the introduction of machinery to do the work.

We have no definite plan "in bringing about a better understanding in adjusting grievances or in preventing or settling strikes," beyond the fact that all complaints and demands are promptly attended to and our people seem to be contented with their work.

We have here in flourishing condition a building and loan association; and also a beneficial association, as well also a well equipped social club house.

Dear Sir: The labor question that is agitating the public mind is no doubt a hard problem, and while all of us have some opinion on it and have had to face the demand for increase of wages by individual or organized labor, there seems to be no general accepted principle that will apply to its solution. Personally I think the chief difficulty in the prevention of strikes comes from the head of business concerns, if the head of a business concern employing a thousand hands was active in gaining the personal acquaintance of everyone in his employ, and speak a kind word or merely nod an approval when deserved, or correct mildly if needed it would go a great way toward curtailing the power a labor leader exercises over his followers. The labor leader knows his strength with the organization lies in his ability to enter into personal contact with the men, and he does it. When an employer has the respect of his employes he has won half the battle, if it comes at all. This has been my own plan with men up to at the most 35 or 40, and has served me well; where this can be done I believe it is the best plan that can be taken to prevent or settle strikes.

In the case of large trusts the problem is more difficult, because even when the labor question is divided up, the fixing of wages left to the managers of the individual plant, an outbreak of dissatisfaction at one place effects all of them generally. The most reasonable plan, I think, is that suggested by President Roosevelt's message, that all trusts be required to give the fullest publicity of their affairs to the public. It will not only protect the public, but will influence the conduct of labor as well; because the affairs of the people they work for are guarded so close they become suspicious that a great deal is made out of their labor, whereas if they were fully acquainted with the facts as they really are, they would know

Dear Sir: Replying to your letter of December 24th, in reference to labor troubles would say that we have been very fortunate in this respect as we find the best way to settle a strike is not to have

one.

We work all departments in squads with a foreman over each department; each department is expected to turn out so much every week at so much money. If men stay out in any department the other men must do their work and they then divide among themselves the pay of the men who stayed out. We find in this way that the men will watch each other and insist upon each man holding up his end. This system of course has some disadvantages but we find the advantages largely outnumber the disadvantages, as we are always able to tell exactly what our goods cost us, and our men are generally contented because under our system they can usually make more money than they can for like work in other factories. Trusting this will be of advantage to you, we remain,

THIS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ASKED OF TANNERS.

"We would be glad if you would accompany your return with a letter setting forth the changes that have occurred in the tanning industry during the past ten years; the improvements as well as the difficulties you have to contend with by way of depletion in the stock of bark, domestic hides, etc."

TANNING.

I believe that capital frequently is labor unjustly accumulated, and if the capital were more liberally distributed among laborers there would be fewer strikes. Laborers are often compelled to buy all of their necessaries out of a shop kept by the very firm they are working for, and pay prices beyond any comparison with the wages they get for their labor. If we hire men I think they, without any pressure, should be allowed to buy where they please.

Now in regard to the supply of domestic hides, it is ample that

tanner has no show. The hides on account of the hide trusts are too high and what is equally bad is the manner in which they are taken off. There was a time when if we bought Chicago packer skins as No. 1, we got them. To-day 33 per cent. of them make only No. 2 leather. Now something must be done to remedy this evil. We do not use foreign hides. The supply of bark is becoming short; for this there is a reason; the forest or mountain fires destroy bark, but this is not the greatest source of future shortness; it is that the fires going through the forest hunts the young trees and they never make a good growth. I think there should be a law passed making all men candidates for the penitentiary who without cause save to destroy, set fire to the mountains.

Dear Sir: In regards writing you about the tanning industry, would say, there have been lots of changes made in the past ten years and no doubt there will be as many more in the next ten years. Think all Pennsylvania tanners feel the scarcity of bark, and no doubt a good many are using extract, which shows good results to those who are familiar with using it. Think the hide situation would be greatly improved if the duty were removed, as the duty on hides helps the packers only, which are few in number, while shoe tanners, shoe manufacturers and the people who wear the shoes are the sufferers. In regard to the labor question, could not give you very much information in that line, as my experience in the tanning business for twenty years was always such that my employes never made a demand for increased wages, never threatened to strike, and always got along well together. I treat with each one individually when there is a grievance and never had to call the third party in to help settle the matter.

Gentlemen: In the matter of tanning industries will say I find that rough leather tanning is on the decline and has been for the past ten years. Domestic hides have increased in price since the fifteen cent tariff on imported hides. The exporters of leather receive a rebate on all leather exported, they have an advantage over the small tanneries who only furnish home markets. I am told by leather dealers in Boston that they can sell leather for export less than for home market for the reason thay get the rebate and at same time make a better margin. As to improvements in tanning. The fact that the large tanneries have adopted the plan of finishing the leather

deliver this leather to the shoe factories before we can get ours ready to ship in the rough. I tanned 2,250 foreign hides (Indian kip), and have the leather yet on hand. The fact that their is no tariff on the small hides caused market to be flooded with this kind of leather, and it now is a drug on market. As to the labor question in my opinion if all manufacturers and corporations would not employ any person other than who belong to the labor unions it would save all further trouble. The fact that capital is concentrating and making combinations makes it necessary for labor to be well organized and hold together and deal with capital as a whole. The majority of our laboring class are well posted and know the profits made by the corporations. To protect themselves they must act as a unit. In my experience I have attended labor meetings and always found an intelligent quiet and orderly gathering, all business conducted in a peaceable manner. I can't say the same of our United States Congress at Washington, but this is digressing. In my tannery business I have two men who have worked for me fifteen years each, and as you will see by my report have received small wages. They are satisfied however, they are well acquainted with my business and know it will not allow any more.

Gentlemen: Yours of December 24th is received. Enclosed find the blank filled out as requested.

In reply to your inquiry as to the question of conciliation between employer and employes will say that I have never had the slightest difficulty or dispute with any of the men in my employ. They receive fair wages, are paid in cash weekly, and seem wholly satisfied. Each man seems to take an individual interest in the manufacture and production of stock. Under such circumstances there is no need of any particular plan of adjustment as we seem to understand each other at all times. The factory is kept running through good and bad times, and we believe if other manufacturers were in as close touch with their men as we are with ours there would be no labor troubles to speak of.

Regarding the other letter about tanners, will say in reference to the changes that have been made in the tannery industry during the past ten years, the improvements in machinery have been very great, lessening the cost of production. The increased knowledge acquired by tanners in extracting from their bark a much larger percentage of tannic acid has been a source of considerable saving in the quantity of bark used. The depletion of the stock of bark in the State

stock of bark particularly of hemlock is fast disappearing. As the price of bark increases, thus making the cost of leather higher, other tanning agents are sought for, and are being largely employed. This depletion of the bark supply will eventually drive a great many tanners from the State. My suggestion is in line with other numerous well informed men that this bark supply of the oak kind can be maintained in the State. There are now thousands upon thousands of acres of waste land in the State of no value whatever for farming or other purposes, and the State should take an interest in cultivating the reproduction of oak forests as suggested in the forestry meetings of those interested in this particular science. Of course this will not benefit any of the present generation but as the State is a permanent institution it will yield benefit hereafter. If these waste lands could be made reproductive of timber and bark, which it can be under proper direction, and under State supervision, in future years the timber supply which is now nearly exhausted, would be increased, and the bark supply maintained sufficient to operate many large tanneries.

It is a fact that tannin produced from bark at a cost of six, seven or eight dollars per ton is cheaper and better than any of the substitutes that have as yet been discovered, and it should be the duty of the State to maintain and encourage such laws as would reproduce the article mentioned.

Regarding hides there seems to be no particular diminution in their quantity as far as I am able to observe.

Dear Sir: Yours of the 24th about strikes. We, like other similar industries, employing labor have threatened trouble occasionally, but we have had no real action. When our men become dissatisfied we at once ascertain the cause and if they are reasonable we try and make them happy, but if they are unreasonble, we try and locate the ones leading and drop them when opportunity occurs for cause. We have from 350 to 500 men employed, and as they are altogether, we do not deal with committees. Committees are generally made up of individuals who are born kickers, who will submit to nothing but their own way. Instead of committees, when we find the men dissatisfied, we single out the class having the grievance, call them together and tell them where we stand and in such language that each man can hear and understand for himself what we have to say, and not rely on what some one else says. In this way we find that the majority of the men are always reasonable, and we can hold them, although others may try to lead them into trouble. A committee sel