- Transcription
K. S. Tanner
Spindale, N.C.
May 30 1918.
Governor T. W. Bickett,
Raleigh, N.C.
Dear Governor Bickett:
Being in the cotton mill business, I am vitally interested in the general movement against loafing, and I would like to know if any study has been given to the special trouble which the cotton mills have, which is not so much due to the habitual loafer as to the man who works 4 or 5 days a week and loafs the other days. You no doubt are aware of the fact that the average cotton mill hand, under the present high wage schedule, is very much inclined to loaf a day or two a week, as he makes enough the 4 or 5 days to keep him going. If we could get every man to work every day I believe there would be ample help to go around for all the mills, whereas under present conditions there is a distinct scarcity of cotton mill labor.
We have tried all kinds of plans ourselves, the best being to give bonuses to employees who work every day, which is a penalty on the man who does not work every day, but the results are not at all satisfactory. They seem to be satisfied with a certain amount of money, and beyond that money means nothing to them.
I know you are giving a great deal of thought to these matters, and am wondering if you have struck on any plan that will help the situation, and I am with kindest regards,
Respectfully yours,
KST/CH
