dated 7 March 1906 and 25 April 1906
4945
Transcript:
(1franc of the time is worth about 20 francs in 1995)
"PStatutory
Rosario 7 March 1906
Dear gentlemen Hersent, in Paris
When you asked me to come to Rosario, I didn't know what was left for me.
I was at that time in Dakar when you had given me the job of managing the site by letter dated 21 Dec 1904. The conditions of my employment were as follows: 2000F per month in Senegal, 1000F in Europe, 2 months of annual leave and 7% on the real benefits of the project.
Despite these advantages, I have not hesitated, as I have always done so far and as I will still do if necessary to comply with your instructions and abruptly abandon the Dakar construction site that I had at heart to complete after having helped to re-establish it. I had left Bizerte in the same way at the time when the work promised to be completed in good conditions.
So I came to Rosario and, verbally, after a few days, you kindly told me what the conditions were for me to do: 1500peos
(or 3300F) monthly and 2000peos annual housing allowances- plus 10% on the benefits of the works.
You have also assured me on various occasions that Bizerte's accounts will be settled with regard to my gratuity and that I will receive what may come from this leader. You have also promised to take account of what I did in Dakar. No follow-up has been given to these promises.
And yet all the trips I had to make since the beginning of 1904 were not without very important expenses that I did not involve in my travel accounts: installation costs in Dakar where I planned to stay for several years, renting a house in France, new installation in Rosario, etc.
Since I was in Rosario, I have been able to see the conditions under which we work here. At the end of December, the discovery exceeded 3.500.000F, and the balance sheet of January and the study of cost prices unfortunately do not allow us to hope for a great improvement of this situation compromised by the poor administration of the beginning and also by the continuous increase in the price of materials and labour.
I have tried to continue the reforms outlined by Mr G. Hersent during his last visit and I myself have made significant improvements in the economic production of the site. If we still have to do with this, we can consider that the main thing is done and despite this the future is not looking very bright: I think it will be useless to talk about the 10% premium on profits.
So I only have my backs and living conditions becoming more expensive every day, so I realize that I will be unable to make the savings I was counting on.
As a result, my situation is less than I had in Dakar, where I was hoping to achieve a satisfactory result.
My predecessor was able to keep his house in search of ....... and as you know, I have had the proof of it, and I am not prepared to follow the same path and I have been very keenly involved in the fact that these practices were completely abandoned by the employees who were doing so.
Apart from the financial situation, I regret being attached to a case that will certainly produce negative results, despite everything I can do, and have thought on various occasions of asking you to be replaced at Rosario, not feeling the courage to take responsibility for a situation that I did not create.
The task you have entrusted to me is difficult and heavy; it would be necessary to be supported by a staff dedicated to your interests, which is not the case: I must constantly struggle to make the ideas of order and economy admitted and applied without which we can achieve nothing. Bad habits are taken and the organization of the site is so difficult to uproot.
In short, I thought, since the 10% clause does not actually exist, to ask you to raise my monthly supplements to 2000peos, regardless of the housing allowance.
I am not used to setting conditions, you know, so these are not conditions that I am submitting to you. If you do not give me satisfaction, I will continue my service as in the past; but I do not think it will be profitable for me to stay in Rosario all the time you intend to leave me there, and I will ask you to replace me by leaving the moment to set.
I beg you to believe, gentlemen, in my most affectionate feelings.
E.Hausermann"
Letter E.Hausermann of 25 April 1906, sent after receipt of the letters Hersent of 27 March (they themselves sent before receipt of the letter E.Hausermann of 7 March) and the telegram of the Hersent of 4 April sent promptly to the receipt of the letter of 7 March
transcript:
"Rosario, the 25th(? date not legible) April 1906
Dear gentlemen Hersent
I have received your letters of 27 March and thank you very much for their content, and I also believe that our situation so weak at the moment would improve to some extent if we could increase our production and implement all the means available here.
But the circumstances do not favour us: the rio is still between 5.50 and 5.60 , sometimes higher or lower, but without a downward trend. We are thus completely paralyzed for many of the completion work we could do and which would result in a significant increase in our monthly situations. For the moment we are reduced to the masonry docks whose march is satisfactory and whose ...(6 lines illegible)
......on the other hand, I'm in charge of gathering the information that will support the request for review you've been talking about.
I also thank you for the amount of 25,000 francs that you have kindly made available to me and that I will take here if you do not see any inconvenience, as well as for the authorization you have given me telegraphically to increase my monthly advance.
I am grateful for these expressions of satisfaction and encouragement, and I would like to thank you, Mr. Hersent, for the assurance of my most devoted feelings.
E.Hausermann
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