He was being paid $40 per week. This was $10 per week less than Edgerton had received for the same work.
When I gave my son the place, another position which he had filled acceptably to the Business Manager, at $15 per week, was abolished. Thus, even at the highest salary ever paid my son, he saved the Company $25 per week.
I am accused of having mistreated Mr. Edgerton. The facts are these: he was already working in New York when he applied to me for a job on the Magazine. I personally requested Col. Mann to take him on. After much hesitation and seeming reluctance, Col. Mann consented. When reductions of expenses became necessary, Mr. Edgerton’s weekly salary was reduced to $40. He told me that he would hold the job until he could get another. I did not think he could render us very good service in that state of mind, and I therefore relieved him of duty. He had already made $1,200 out of the job—probably THE EASIEST MONEY THAT HE HAD EVER EARNED.
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“Explanatory” says that at a meeting of the Board of Directors in November 1905, I agreed to contribute $5,000 to a fund of $25,000, and then broke my word.
The facts are these:
After repeated efforts to get some satisfaction out of Col. Mann, I was drawn to New York in November 1905 by a most positive written promise of his to settle with me if I would come to see him.
I went.
At Col. Mann’s house on 72nd Street, there was a gathering of the leading stockholders and leading employes. As each reported for his own department the employes were excused, and they went away. Mr. Flaacke spoke his piece and departed. Mr. Duffy, ditto. Finally the assemblage dwindled down to just me and the Colonel.
But, before this, Col. Mann had suggested that we raise some money, and asked me IF I DID NOT HAVE SOME FRIENDS THAT I COULD PREVAIL ON TO “COME IN.” The suggestion was put out of business immediately. I was in the trap all right enough, and I DIDN’T INTEND TO BE USED AS A BAIT. Then he asked if I would not continue to work for the Magazine without pay to the amount of $5,000.