R. G. Hemingray response letter regarding false story in Indianapolis newspaper.
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[Newspaper] Publication: The Morning News Muncie, IN, United States |
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SOME PLAIN TALK Manufacturers Card the News Resenting the Gross Insult. Last evening the following written statements from manufacturers were furnished the News and they should be reproduced by the Sentinel if it has the least bit of decency or regard for the truth, but it is a question if even a retraction will be made to the paper that propably [sic] probably formulated the lie on a line with railroad and other coercion stories, recently published: THESE BOYS KNOW. MUNCIE, Ind., Oct. 26, 1896. With reference to the article appearing in today's Indianapolis Sentinel about Muncie manufacturers owning tenement houses and thereby controlling their employees, will say that so far as we are concerned we do not own a single tenement house nor can it be shown that we have discharged or coerced a single employee on account of his political views. We employ about 250 hands and we believe that the majority of them understand that the opration [sic] operation of our factories depends on the election of Mr. McKinley. Yours truly, MUNCIE GLASS COMPANY, Chas. Boldt, Pres. THE PATTON FACTORY. MUNCIE, Ind., Oct. 26. TO WHOM THIS MAY CONCERN: This is to certify that we do not own any of the houses in which our employees live. MILT JONES, Bookkeeper Patton M'f'g. Co. WORSE THAN COERCION MUNCIE, Ind., Oct. 26, 1896. Our attention has been called to an interview with Capt. W. J. Hilligoss of this city, published in this morning's Indianapolis Sentinel which the manufacturers of Muncie are said to be coercing their employees into voting the Republican ticket by threats of eviction from houses occupied by the employes and owned by the employers. So far as this concerns the Indiana Bridge company, the story is a lie more colossal than the crime which is imputed to the manufacturers, as this company owns no dwelling houses whatever. Speaking for the individual stockholders, this story is absolutely untrue and without foundation. Very respectfully yours. INDIANA BRIDGE COMPANY, Per J. R. Marsh, Sec’y. APPRECIATE THEIR INTERESTS. MUNCIE, Ind., Oct. 26, 1896. Our attention has beeen [sic] been called to a statement in this morning's issue of the Indianapolis Sentinel of W. J. Hilligoss concerning coercion of Muncie working men. We can state that so far as our mill is concerned his statements are absolutely untrue. We have no tenement houses and have made no effort in any respect to make our men vote in any way other than they wish. We can say, however, that the most of them appreciate the fact that their interest and that of their employer is a common one and we expect to show a rousing majority for McKinley from this district, in which our eight hundred employees will do their part. INDIANA IRON COMPANY, By W. M. Myers, Sec’y. SIMPLY AN INSULT. MUNCIE, Ind., Oct. 26, 1896. The statement published in the Indianapolis Sentinel, Oct. 26, as coming from W. J. Hilligoss, is wholly untrue and without any foundation whatever, as far as we are concerned. We own no tenement houses and we would consider it a crime against American independence to in any way, attempt to coerce our employes to vote against their own convictions. We consider it an insult to both the manufacturer and employe to say that the workmen could be coerced and that their employers would result to such un-American methods. We are now employing about 1,200 workmen and all we expect of them is an honest faithful day’s work in return for the wages we pay them. Respectfully, BALL BROS. GLASS M''F'G. CO. F. C. Ball. OWN OR RENT NONE. MUNCIE, Ind., Oct. 26, 1896. To whom it may concern: This is to certify that we do not own or rent any of the houses in which our workmen live, Yours very truly, MARING, HART & CO. S. WORKING FULL TIME. MUNCIE, Ind., Oct. 26, 1896. The accusation against the manufacturers of this city published in the Indianapolis Sentinal [sic] Sentinel of this date is entirely without foundation, in fact our company has no house for rent. Our force is complete, working full time, have not coerced, nor even mentioned politics to employes, but fully believe they are solid for Mr. McKinley. MUNCIE CASKET CO. Per Milton Gray Sec'y & Gen'l Mgr. TWO SIGNATURES. MUNCIE, Ind., Oct. 26, 1896. To whom it may concern: This is to certify that we do not own or rent any of the houses in which our workmen live. Yours very truly. MUNCIE WHEEL CO. By O. B. Bannister, Manager. THE COMMON SENSE ENGINE CO. CAPABLE OF THINKING FOR SELF. MUNCIE, Ind., Oct. 26, 1896. The statement in the Indianapolis Sentinel of Oct. 26 as coming from Capt. W. J Hilligoss as far as we are concerned, wholly untrue. We own no tenement houses and have not tried to coerce any of our employes to vote the Republican ticket. We know our men are capable of thinking for themselves and will vote as they see fit. Yours, HEMINGRAY GLASS CO., By R. G. Hemingray. NO NEED OF COERCION. MUNCIE, Ind., Oct. 26, 1896. The statement made by W. J. Hilligoss in today's issue of the Indianapolis Sentinel is, as far as I am concerned, altogether untrue, as I own no houses. Again there it no need of coercion on my part. Since every man in my employ, with one or two exceptions, will vote for McKinley and sound money. I employ 200 voters. Respectfully C. H. OVER WORKING FOR M’KINLEY. MUNCIE, Ind., Oct. 26, 1896. Our attention has been called to the statement in today's issue of the Indianapolis Sentinel, of W. J Hilligoss, concerning the coercion of workmen in the mills and factories of this city. We beg to state, most positively, that, so far as our mill is concerned, this statement is totally false and untrue. We have no tenement houses and have made no effort in any way to compel or coerce our men to vote as we think they should, in favor of sound money, protection and prosperity. And we believe the most of our men are fully alive to their interests and are, of their own accord, working for the election of Mr. McKinley, and doing everything in their power to influence an overwhelming victory for the protection ticket. Yours truly, MIDLAND STEEL COMPANY, R. J. Beatty, President. The same is true of our factory. J. H. Smith & Co.
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