William Brookfield to represent manufacturers in Philadelphia

GLASSBLOWERS' TROUBLES.

BELGINS COMING TO THIS COUNTRY — DISPUTES ABOUT WAGES.

The report that 160 Belgian window glass blowers were on their way here on the steamer Rhynland to work at Chambers & McKee's new works at Jeanette, Penn., is said to have caused considerable excitement among glassworkers in Pennsylvania and other glassworking districts, and James Campbell, President of the Glassworkers' Union, was charged with having helped to import the men to the detriment of American Glassworkers. Campbell admitted that he had consented to the importation of twenty Belgian glassblowers some time ago, and that he justified his action by explaining that they had been brought over to teach American workmen the new art of working in tank glass factories — a new industry in the United States. The 160 men who are on their way here, he declared, were not new men, but old hands, most of them citizens of the United States who are in the habit of going to their native country during the summer months.

Glass manufacturers and dealers in this city, however, think that it is possible that many Belgian glassworkers will come to this country, if not under contract, then on speculation, to see what employment they can get here. Their industry in Belgium has been demoralized this year and fully per cent of the glass factories are now closed, in spite of the high protective tariff that exists in Belgium. This was stated by a member of the firm of Holbrook Brothers.

The glassblowers in this country and in Belgium belong to the same organization, and according to the rules of their union, no blowers may come to this country unless there is still work for them after all the glassblowers here have been provided for. If they cannot find work in glass factories in Europe they must seek some other employment at least temporarily. Heretofore all or nearly all the glassblowers, both here and in Belgium, have been kept busy and their allegiance to their union has never been severely tested. Now, however, large numbers of Belgians are out of work. The rate of wages paid to men of their craft in this country is much higher than in Belgium. It is not unlikely that some of them will come here, and should large numbers arrive and look for work a fight in their union will result.

According to the manufacturers' statements the men have been averaging $5.50 per day, the same rate paid twenty years ago. The manufacturers want the men to accept a reduction of 15 per cent, while on the other hand the men demand an advance of 5 per cent. The window glass factories generally fire up between Sept. 1 and Sept. 15, but no preparations are being made this year, and it is possible that most of the establishments will not fire up before Oct. 1, if then. The men have a strong organization and a large fund in the treasury.

The green glass manufacturers are also having trouble with their men, who have made a new scale of prices by which their wages would be advanced. They have been making from $5 to $10 per day. At the manufacturers' convention it was decided that the condition of the trade did not warrant the advance demanded, and that the men ought, on the contrary, to agree to a reduction of 15 per cent. To-day a conference will be held in Philadelphia between the manufacturers and a committee from the union. William Brookfield will go from this city to represent the manufacturers.