MILL WHISTLE
Issued every Two Weeks by and for the Employees of
Marshall Field & Company, Inc.,
Manufacturing Divisio?i, Spray, North Carolina
Volume Five
Monday, December 9, 1946
Number Eleven
STATEMENT TO EMPLOYEES
The coal strike of the United Mine Workers headed
by John L. Lewis, has created a most serious situation
for the entire Nation. You and your Company cannot
escape its effects. The two months’ strike last spring
seriously depleted our reserve coal supplies and those
of the entire Nation. Since that strike Government
regulations prohibited us from accumulating more than
a 30 days supply of coal, consequently we are caught
in a very bad situation at this time for reasons beyond
our control.
At this season of the year it is absolutely necessary
to maintain some heat in all buildings to prevent freez
ing of water pipes, sprinkler and fire protection sys
tems and to maintain machinery and equipment. With
all mills running normally we consume about 1100
tons of coal per week which provides sufficient steam
for heating, dyeing, and finishing purposes.
With all mills standing we require about 350 tons
of coal per week for a minimum amount of heat only.
Our last small shipment of coal was received Novem
ber 26. If we ran all mills normally we would run out
of coal entirely by December 21 with none left for
heating purposes.
By curtailing production over this last week-end
we saved some coal. Unless the strike is ended prompt
ly further drastic curtailment will be necessary imme
diately until coal is being shipped again. You will be
advised of further plans in accordance with the turn
of events.
We regret the necessity of this action particularly at
the Christmas Season and express the hope that a solu
tion to the present tleup will be worked out promptly
by those responsible for the welfare of the Country.
—H. W. WHITCOMB,
Assistant General Manager.
19 Employees Retire
Under Pension Plan
Nineteen employees were retired
under Marshall Field and Company’s
pension plan in ceremonies at Spray
Friday afternoon, to bring to 149 the
total number of employees retired with
pension since the plan was inaugurated
in December, 1943.
Testimonials to the long-service em
ployees and the presentation of first
pension checks were highlights of the
program. Macon P. Miller, director of
industrial and public relations, presid
ed. J. Frank Wilson, production manag
er, who has asked for retirement under
the pension plan effective December 31,
spoke in commendation of the spirit of
the Company in remembering its long-
service employees and helping them in
(Continued on Page Seven)
Retail Store Has
Color Ads In Life
Life magazine for December 7 carried
the first in a series of three double-page
spreads in full color, advertising the
Company’s retail stores. Insertions also
will appear in the issues of December 16
and 23.
The campaign, unprecedented in de
partment store history, is purely institu
tional in nature.
Perry Barlow, nationally known car
toonist, has done a drawing for each ad.
Major color illustrations are in Koda-
chrome photography.
Good Health
A meeting to discuss the cam
paign to improve health conditions
in North Carolina will he held at
the Leaksville-Spray Municipal
building Friday evening, Decem
ber 13 at 7:30 o’clock, C. P. Wall,
chairman of the Rockingham
County" Good Health Association,
has announced.
Harry B. Caldwell, executive
secretary of the Good Health As
sociation, will outline the Good
Health campaign as a feature ol
the Friday night meeting.