Glass makers strike ended, Brookfield listed

THE GLASS-MAKERS STRIKE ENDED.

It was extremely difficult to get any authentic news last week concerning the situation of the striking glass-makers and the manufacturers. Just after we went to press last Thursday there was some uncertainty as to whether or not the letter and spirit of the resolution to put out the fires had been carried out by all who signed the compact. It appears that some of the Brooklyn workmen asked for further time to consider the matter, and the manufacturers who were thus appealed to granted the request, notwithstanding the resolution. One manufacturer drew his fires at half past five Saturday afternoon, when the resolution was signed, and he was righteously indignant when he found out that a majority of the others had not complied with the terms of the agreement.

The next phase of the situation appears in New Bedford, where the men have made a break and have gone to work on the old scale. Following this, on Saturday night last the workmen in the glass factory at Jersey City announced their intention of resuming work and accepted the old rate of wages. They also accuse their brethren of the craft of bad faith, and say they would have remained out of it had not been that the union men in other cities declined to contribute anything to support them while on the strike, and the action of the outside unions practically kills any further power of any glass makers' union in Jersey City. Mr. O'Neill, the proprietor, says he has lost a great deal of money on the strike, and that although he is in a position to dictate terms to his men he does not propose to take advantage of the situation.

The basis of these reports is founded on the proceedings of a meeting of the manufacturers which took place on Saturday afternoon last at the Astor house. A series of resolutions were passed to the effect that the men would not be received again, excepting upon the old scale of wages and upon such terms as were then and there adopted, viz.: The manufacturers have the right at any time to discharge unsatisfactory workmen without interference on the part of the Union, and that the manufacturers should have the privilege of paying the "shops" regular prices for any class of work done. To explain this we will say that a $25 shop on dome shades had more work than they could get through with in time, and it was necessary for an $18 shop to take hold and put it through. The manufacturers very properly claimed that the $18 shop was worth $25 to do the higher class of work. Heretofore the Union has opposed such a payment of lower grade men when taking up a higher scale of work.