History threads — Van Raalte

This is the latest in an occasional series of posts about the history of the garment industry in Warren, Washington, Saratoga and Essex counties.

The Van Raalte Company shut down its Saratoga Springs factory indefinitely as the company fought a Textile Workers of America union attempt to make it a closed shop, employing only unionized labor, The Post-Star reported on May 21, 1921.

“Notice to this effect was posted on the bulletin board at the company’s Saratoga plant yesterday, the bulletin stating that the plant would close indefinitely, and that the services of the employees were no longer needed.”

The company that made gloves and silk underwear kept its Glens Falls factory open, and management held special events to encourage employee morale.

On May 10, 1920, The Post-Star reported that the Van Raalte Co. held a dinner for about 80 employees at Fitzgerald’s Restaurant in Glens Falls to honor “several young women” employees engaged to be married in the early summer.

The brides to be were Mary Hartley, Viola Dymond, Beatrice Rice, Margaret Holleran, Una Demarsh, Aletha LaPoint, and Agnes Murphy.

The company gave each bride silk gloves, hosiery, underwear and a veil.

Lambert’s Orchestra performed music during dinner.

On June 24, 1920, The Post-Star reported the company held a dinner for about 400 employees at the Glens Falls Y.M.C.A. on Glen Street the previous evening to honor new Mrs. Ralph Rennie, the factory’s new forewoman.

The Glen Star chapter №95 of the Order of Eastern Star served a dinner of chicken pie, cream potatoes, rolls and fruit salad, with sherbet and wafers, coffee and mints for desert.

Secretary Gamson of the Y.M.C.A. and Lambert’s Orchestra led a sing-a-long while dinner was being served.

Later the orchestra played music for dancing until 12:30 p.m.

Addison Colvin, a Glens Falls business man, publisher and political leader, was keynote speaker, interjecting numerous jokes into his motivational speech.

“Mr. Colvin spoke of the good that these meetings did for the workers in general, making them take such an interest in their work,” The Post-Star reported. “He also made mention of the good work the girls of the whole community did during the war, and how much of their work had been appreciated.”

Click here to read the most recent previous post in the series.