mTERS»»EDITORj
Dr. Milton Massey, President
Brevard Chamber of Commerce
Brevard, N. C.
October 22, 1971
U.P.P. ORGANIZING AT OLIN
Dear Sir:
After much debate and hesitation we
feel that we are obligated by truth to write
you this letter. We find it most difficult to
correspond in this tone with people we have
known most of our lives. We, as citizens of
this community have bought our appliances
from you, our clothing, our hardware, house
hold goods, groceries, building materials,
and on and on we could go. Most of us have
been born and reared in this locality. We are
the people that your very existance depends
upon. We do not live in Asheville, Waynes
ville, no not in Stanford, Conn, either. We
live here.
In our past efforts to organize here the
Company has quite successfully appealed to
you business men of Brevard for support.
You have listened eagerly to only one side
of a two-sided campaign. You have listened
to people who are not citizens of this com
munity, and never will be, and who brand
us as outsiders and misguided individuals.
Some have openly judged and criticized
when you do not even know the facts. Not
• one time have any of us received any hint
- of an invitation to speak before any of your
groups. In the Transylvania Times, we have
read many times that our division managers
' have spoken to your civic organizations
(Unions).
You have applauded loudly when an
onuneements were made of expansion pro
, grams. Millions of dollars are being spent
on expansion! Now, there is a difference in
expansion and modernization. Whlen you
expand you hire new employees and the
whole community benefits. When you mod
ernize your equipment most of the time you
lay off employees and the community suff
ers. There is no expansion program going on
at Olin Corp. It is a modernization program.
Sure, we are taking on more outside con
tractors (who will spend very little money
in Brevard) to build these modern facili
ties. They will pull up stakes and leave just
as quickly as they get through, taking part
of these millions of dollars with them.
We are not working for the Old Ecusta
Paper Company, that we knew twenty years
tgo. We are working for Olin Corp., a Cor
poration not controlled by the late Harry
Straus and Art Loeb. We have no contract
with this Company in any form. That is
what we are after and nothing more. We
have no intention of 'trying to bleed this
Company nor anybody else. We do not want
any trouble and certainly no strikes. A con
tract is nothing more than a legal agreement
between two parties with both parties honor
able. Does this sound foolish to you? Does
this sound like outsiders or misguided in
dividuals? If you would be honest with your
self, you know the answer.
We want to make it -this simple. We do
not know your problems. We are not fam
iliar with your stock, your capital, your fa
cilities, your labor problems, etc. We feel
that we would make many mistakes if we
would begin giving you advice on how to
(Editor* JfWet i^nun ■ran
be brief, eigaed, typed er writ*
tee legibly ee eee iMe ef pa
per. We reserve the right te re
ject, edit, or eeadcaae. Letters
ihonld be received by The TIbmc
run your business. We feel also that you
would be very much out of order if you
should come running to us for influential
backing in any of these problems. In this
same sense you do not know our problems.
You have not seen your buddies crippled
for life, gassed until they cannot breathe
overcome by heat, risking their lives daily
and one even killed to produce paper. .You
have not seen your neighbor laid off, lose
his home and life’s savings after having ,
worked here for twenty six years, then an
outside contractor get his job so the Com
pany could save money on a tax structure.
Many problems we would comment on that
you have not even thought about.
It all boils, down to this. Some of you,
not all, have done us a gross injustice by
backing the Company in these campaigns
without first hearing our side of the story.
We do not deny anybody the right to an
opinion, nor the right to express that opin
ion. We are only asking for an intelligent
opinion.
We be’lieve we are going to win this
election. Even if we do not, we are going to
organize sometime in the future. We need
your help and understanding when this does
happen.
We hope this letter has made us no
enemies. We certainly do not intend it that
way. We want you to think before you com
mit yourselves.
Yours sincerely,
The Committee for Organized Labor at
Olin Corp.
Paul Seagle Chairman
Bill Talley, Vice Chairman
Dot Roberts, Secretary
David Glenn, Chaplain
Harold Stamey, Sgt. at Arms
STEERING COMMITTEE:
Donald Holbert
James E. Reere, Jr.
Fred Bumgarner
Richard Sorrells
Earl Sumner
Copy of letter delivered to
John I. Anderson, Editor
The Transylvania Times
Brevard, N. C.
Editor’s Note:
The letter from the Committee for Or
ganized Labor at Olin Corp. was received
personally by the editor on Monday, October
25, when Mr. Seagle, Chairman, brought it
to the Transylvania Times office. At the time
of the deadline for this issue of the Trans
ylvania Times, Dr. Milton V; Massey, Presi
dent of the Chamber of Commerce, had just
received his copy of the letter. The editor’s
telephone call to Mr. Seagle October 26 con
firmed what appeared to have been intend
ed, that one copy was a Letter to fhe Editor.
Mr. Seagle explained that the letter to Dr.
Massey was registered, but was delayed be
cause the post Office was not open Monday,
Veterans’ Day.
Editorial comment is appropriate since
the Chamber of Commerce President had
not received the letter in time in which to re
ply. As a member of the Chamber of Com
merce Board of Directors as well as editor
FABRIC MASTERS
POLYESTER DOUBLE KNIT
Direct Mill Outlet
Largest Variety In This Area
Polyester Double Knit SolidIs
Stripes And Fancies
Crepes And Jaquards
$2"-$388—$449 $498 per yard
GOOD REMNANTS
$2.99 per yard
Some $1.99 per yard
10 AM. — 6* P. M. Monday Thru Saturday
28 EAST JORDAN STREET
DU PONT EMPLOYEES CON
GRATULATED — Earl Johnson,
right, President of the Transylvania
County United Fund, congratulates
Bill Buell, Du Pont Plant United
Fund Drive Co-Chairman, for a rec
ord setting campaign with total plant
employees and construction force
coiurioutions amounting to $21,
464.00. Of this total $12,535 went
to Transylvania, $8,307 to Hender
son, and $622 to Buncombe and other
counties based on employee resi
dences. The average contribution
per plant employee was $22.47. An
additional contribution was made by
the Du Pont Company to Transyl
vania, Henderson and Buncombe
counties. (Times Staff Photo)
of this newspaper the writer is knowledge
able about many points the letter refers to.
However, in the reference to the Chamber
of Commerce the writer speaks as editor, not
as spokesman for the Chamber.
It is unfortunate that the Union com
mittee sees the activities of the Chamber of
Commerce as being motivated by partisan
interests. In truth, the Chamber of Commerce
is comprised of a cross section of individuals
who strive to promote and perpetuate an
economic climate that will benefit all of the
community. One of the important functions
is to keep abreast of developments that will
affect that climate favorably or unfavorably.
It thus was out of deep concern for the
community that Mr. Garza Baldwin was in
vited by the Chamber to address the member
ship, asking that he ,clarify the employment
situation and ojjier factors which had been
i of apparently unfounded rumors
ougjiput thecdhununity. This he did. Be
at his remarks, the members were
i to understand the effects of many in
. B the Company’s declining profits,
ahi'.td f$feri£gfld why measures were nec
tore an acceptable return on
responsible citizen recog
lilt «o company can stay in business
lortfe without making an acceptable profit
All of ua, have read how many businesses
have failed into bankruptcy because of fail
ure! to mite profits.
ilr. Baldwin’s message contained no ref
erence to the Union activity, other than his
ope comment that the steps toward recovery
"opened an entirely new approach to those
who try to persuade our employees to adopt
middle-man representation.”
Certainly. We speak for all the community
when we hope that Mr. Baldwin’s optimism
will prove to be1 Justified that after taking
those necessary steps to correct Olin’s prob
lems the future looks favorable; that with
acceptable earnings Olin plans “to continue
to bev aii important economic factor in this
community.”
Let us look at what that means. Public
record shows that Olin pays approximately
one-fourth the total tax assessment in Trans
ylvania County. The Olin payroll supports
mbre Transylvania families than all other
industries combined. Olin’s community sup
port is well known. If Olin’s failure to earn
an acceptable profit should cause us to lose
the taxes, the payroll, the community support
provided by Olin, the climate of business in
Transylvania would become fearful.
This does not imply that this newspaper
or the Chamber of Commerce is “committed”
to Olin in the current Union Campaign. That
is a matter to be decided by the Olin em
ployees who will vote in the election, and it
seems that the less interference there is
from the community, the better. However,
since the Union organizers’ letter invites
community consideration of issues, it is ap
propriate to comment on a few of the issues
raised in the letter.
To object to the Company’s moderniza
tion program is to cut off the nose to spite
the face. Any business that lets its mach
inery become )yprp out or obsolete is asking
for disaster, because it will not keep up with
the competition. Whatever our means of live
lihood, all of us know the need to have tools
suitable for our trade. Modernization helps
to insure the continuance of business and
therefore jobs. Did we not read recently that
Olin is putting in equipment for a new coat
ed paper product? It seems that both mod
ernization and expansion are in progress.
The Union letter laments certain work
ing conditions, daily risks, a fatality. The
fatality occurreC in the early years of the
plant, in 1942. Everyone wants ideal con
ditions, but can that be practical? Do not
most large industrial plants have hazards?
The more important aspect of working con
ditions is the extent to which efforts are
made to avoid injury to personnel, and to
keep discomfort to a minimum. Just last
week this newspaper carried an article stat
ing that Olin’s Pisgah Forest plants were
judged the safest in all the corporation last
year, and that both plants were far better
than the North Carolina averages for indus
rial safety and loss prevention. Such
achievements warrant the praise of the com
munity.
The Union letter asks for understanding
and an intelligent opinion. We trust that all
people who comprise the community will
continue to be concerned about economic fac
tors which will affect the business climate
favorably or unfavorably. From such con
cern will continue to come understanding
and intelligent opinions.
The Editor
"UNE BOOK REVIEWS"
FR0M ™E
TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY LIBRARY
FOR FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
ABOUND OUR BOU8E by
Henry end Janice Giles. An en
grossing account of a successful
marriage, writing; and the
happy daily lives of these two
authors.
THE BAB OF THE JACKAL
by Frederick Forsyth. A capti
vating suspense novel of the ne
bulous killer Of President de
Gaulle. The code name of the
so-called killer is JackaL
THE DANCE by John Martin.
A delightful history of the
dsnci told in text and pictures
Lake Toxaway Baptists To
Meet Sunday In New Church
The congregation of the Lake
Toiaway Baptist church expects
to have the first service in then
new church building Sunday,
October 81.
Sunday school will begin at
40 ajn. and worship service at
11 a.m. Lunch will be served at
noon. A song service will begin
at 1:18.
A number of singing groups
is expected. Everyone is invited
DOWNTOWN
BREVARD
■ i ^
ON SOUTH BROAD ST. •*
6 A.M. - 9 P.M.
★
FAMOUS FOR FINE FOOD!
BREAKFAST SERVED
ANYTIME
★
CAFETERIA
1 LUNCHEON
11:45 A.M. - 2:30 P. M.
★
DINNERS
5:00 P. M. - 9:00 P. M.
Gaither’s
Phone 883-9470
SPECIALS
Inventory Reduction Sale
We are overstocked and must reduce our
inventory, therefore we are reducing prices and
will give you the benefits. Come on down and
look over the lovely’s we have in stock from re
cent trades.
71- 000 1971 BUICK
Electra 225. 4 door hard top with less than
7,000 miles. It has lots of evtras but priced to
sell. ONLY $4750.00
70—000 1970 BUICK
Electra 225. 4 door sedan, fully equipped with
low mileage. Reduced to sell
Was $4100.00 NOW $3800.00
D 71—30 A 1970 FORD
4 door sedan. Lots of extras and new tires.
_ REDUCED TO $2495.00
P 71—31 1970 BUICK La SABER
4 door sedan fully equioned with factory air
YOURS FOR $3195.00
P 71—27 1969 DODGE
Swinger, 2 door sedan. One owner. Low mile*
age. Was $1895.00 NOW $1795.p0
72— 18 A 1969 JEEPSTER
Commando. Has power steering power brakes.
New tires. ONLY $2350.00
72—57 A 1969 BUICK
Sportswagon. One owner, low mileage. Has all
extras but air. JUST $2495.00
72—60 A 1969 BUICK
Sportswagon. Has wood.grain siding with all fac
tory equipment plus air conditioner.
GOING FOR $2795.00
72—53 A 1969 LINCOLN
Continental Mark III. Fully equipped and ready
for service. $5295.00
71— 155 B 1968 GMC
Vg ton truck. Motor just overhauled and has new
paint job. NOW $1650.00
72— 19 A 1968 CHEVROLET
2 ton truck. One owner with low mileage. Has
tilt cab. Was $2795.00 NOW $2695.00
HP' ■~~
72—05 A 1968 JEEP
CJ5 Universal. Cloth top, 4 wheel drive
$1895.00
71—106 A 1966 CHEVROLET
Super Sport with 4 in the floor. Has new paint
J°l>- || Was $1095.00 NOW $995.00
71—214 A 1966 CHEVROLET
Station Wagon. One owner, excellent condi
tion. All it needs is a home.
Was $1395.00 NOW $1295.00
71—118 A 1965 PLYMOUTH
Fury 1 4 door sedan with standard transmis
*,on- ONLY $575.00
71—218 A 1965 OLDSMOBILE 98
A one owner car equipped with radial tires and
full automatic. ONLY $1095.00
71—49 A 1965 CADILLAC
2 door De Ville coupe. Full power with low mile
a*e- A STEAL FOR . $1495.00
71—79 A 1964 CHEVROLET
4 door sedan. Automatic transmission and radio
Was $725.00 NOW $675.00
71—173 B 1963 PONTIAC
Bonneville 2 door hard top, automatic transmit*
sion with power steering and brakes
ONLY $495.00
71—16 B 1962 JEEP
Wagoneer. Excellent condition for the
ONLY
mode
$1095
:.'oo