Phases of the Strike, Brookfield listed

PHASES OF THE GLASS STRIKE.

One of two things must happen as outgrowth's of the present situation in the Eastern glass trade. The men must go to work on the old scale, or the manufacturers whose works are now closed will keep the doors barred until after the first of January, 1886.

Fires were banked in several of the Eastern factories last week, and Saturday October 10, saw the beginning of what may be a six weeks lockout. We understand that fires are to remain banked the 17th instant, and if the workmen do not return on the Monday following the factories are to be closed.

We asked one of the veteran representatives of a leading Eastern factory if they could afford to stop in this the only good season of the year. "Afford it! Will I guess if the directors of this company can afford to do without any profits for ten years, excepting the smallest kind of a dividend on their stock - amounting to about six dollars a share last year - I think they can afford to shut up shop and sell out at auction. They certainly wouldn't lose anything when they don't make anything. It's been a question for a year or two whether or not the stockholders wouldn't let the whole thing go, but the looked at the matter good-naturedly and concluded that as long as they were not actually loosing anything they would keep right on, on account of the men. It isn't likely - if they are neither making or loosing now, that they are going to accept any proposition from the men that will bring assessments on their stock for the purpose of paying increased wages. Now, look at it: Down there at the factory those men are getting what I call good wages. They have their houses in nice locations. The company buys coal and flour and sells both of these necessities to the man at actual cost, and they had every reason to be satisfied, and were satisfied until the National Union ordered them to strike, and out they go. Now, maybe the Union will pay them good wages, and furnish them with coal and flour, but the men don't believe it, for here is a letter from one of our managers who says that one of the men who had been accustomed to ordering a half ton of coal at a time went into the office on the day they were ordered out and asked to have four tons sent to his house. This was a small thing, perhaps, but it is significant of the feeling that the men have regarding the situation. This man was probably one of the unaffected, didn't want to strike, but felt that he had to stop if the others struck and prevented his working.    If he was a Union man he felt and knew that if he did not obey the edict of Smith he must get out of the Union. His belief that in union there is strength may have induced him to strike, but he did not express his faith that the Union would support him, or even buy his coal, when he went to the company's office and asked for enough to keep him for most of the winter. If I wanted a lot of funny people for a show I'd go down to the factory and hire those fellows, for let me tell you that if that factory is closed I have no faith in ever seeing it opened again on the present basis of dealing with the men.

The following circular which has been issued by the manufacturers fully expresses the feeling entertained by them regarding the situation.

At a meeting of the Flint Glass manufacturers of the Eastern Association held at the Astor House, New York, Wednesday, October 7th, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted,

WHEREAS, The workmen employed in the several factories represented in this Association have refused to work, because we have declined to accept there proposed new list of numbers and wages, we again affirm the position taken at our meeting October 1st, that we cannot accede to their demand, which is a lessening of numbers to be made and an increase in wages, for the following reasons:

First. - The prices of the manufactured articles are lower than we have ever known, and while the workmen in almost every other branch of industry are working for lower wages, the men in our employ are paid higher wages than they were fifteen years ago, and as high as at any time during that period. Materials, fuel, and everything entering into the cost of making glass have been largely reduced, and the labor employed in producing the same has shared in the general reduction of wages in that kind of work. Our workmen have the same wages and have not been disturbed; and while the profits of the business have been reduced to the lowest point at any time during the period mentioned (both by home and foreign competition), the workmen have not shared in the general reduction.

Second, - With the low rates of freight, the competition from parts of the country whose fuel costs almost nothing compared to the price paid here is very strong, and we fear very much that the unwise action on the part of the workmen will result in the whole business being transferred to that part of the country. Therefore,

Resolved. That we consider the action of the men unjust and uncalled for and we deem it necessary to resist the demands in justice to the interests we represent.

Resolved. That we ask our hands to return to work at the old wages on or before October 19th, and request answer to be given not later than Friday, October 16.

Should we not here from them by that time, in view of the fact that the active season of the year is fast passing away, we shall be under the necessity of putting out our fires on Saturday, the 17th. Signed,

MOUNT WASHINGTON GLASS Co.,

NEW ENGLAND GLASS WORKS,

GILLENDER & SONS,

ROHRBACHER & HORMANN,

GILL & MURRY,

F. THILL,

HIBBLER & RAUSCH,

FRANCIS STORM,

E.P. GLEASON MFG. Co.,

JOHN H. HUWER,

NICOLAS DANNENHOFFER,

H. O'NIEL,

BOSTON & SANDWICH GLASS Co.,

UNION GLASS Co.,

MERIDAN FLINT GLASS Co.,

BROX & BUCKLY.