The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-06-12 00:00:00

ROWLEY.

The sanitary drain-pipe makers employed by
Messrs. Doulton and Co., and who have been on
strike for sixteen weeks, held a meeting on Monday
afternoon, at tho Bull's Head Inn, Rowley. Mr. J.
Price presided. He said he felt sorry that their long
struggle for their just and right demands had to a
certain extent proved a failure. They .had no one
present to thank for that; but those that came out
pledged their words to be faithful and to remain true,
yet some deserted the cause and returned to work.
The real object :of the strike was to resist the de-
mands of the masters for ten hours instead of nine
per day. When the notice for the alteration was
given, the men wrote to the employers, stating that
unless it was withdrawn a strike would take place.
Compliance was not made with this request of the
men, and the consequence was the struggle which
was about to terminate. There was :certainly one
great and grand thing upon which they could con-
gratulate themselves, and it was this—that they had
not lost the principle that they had come out for.
They:had not lost the nine hours' system. This was
preserved, although they had decided to go in at 81
per cent, reduction in the kiln and press work. He
was convinced, however, that Messrs. Doulton and
Co. were in a position to pay the old rate of wages,
as well as concede the nine hours system. There
was an increased demand for pipes, the selling price
of which had not been reduced. Clay was consider-
ably cheaper than it was a year or two ago, and slack
and stuff for burning purposes was not more than
half the price. He meant to say that the masters
would no doubt have conceded all the men wished if
part of them had not run in, and acted an unmanly
part when their interests were at stake. Now, al-
though 8i per cent, was to be taken from the wages
of the boiler and press men, he could not believe that
the ",day men" would have lower wages offered them
than the pittance they were at present receiving. He
would, in conclusion, recommend them to act in con-
cert, and at once form a union. During the thirty
years he had been connected with agitations, he had
never seen more sympathy shown towards any class
of men than had been shown to the drain pipe makers.
There had been a spirit of charity and goodwill ex-
hibited by different trades unions, which they ought,
to put themselves in a position to return should oc-
casion offer itself. They ought not to go to work
downhearted, for men in other departments of trade
had had to accept reductions in wages. He hoped
they would now return to work, and would renounce
every feeling against their employers, resolving to do
their duty honestly, and to labour as before, with a
single eye to to the interests of the firm. He was
sorry they had to submit to any reduction, but if the
trade should become prosperous they might soon
&Tare a Mum of the old rate of wages—(applause).
It was then resolved that "the masters' terms be
accepted."

Mr. Nicklin,'seeretary of the Stourbridge branch
of the Glassmakers Association, said there appeared
some ilivision, but he could see no use in thirty or
forty men sticking out for a principle when the rest
of the men had accepted terms. Under the circum-
stances, he saw no alternative but for the men to
resume work. if there was no prospect whatever of
their gaining all they came out for, he thought it was
the wisest policy to terminate the strike. He said
this, although that morning he had come not only
to avdise, but to offer further pecuniary assistance.
He was proud, however, that they had stuck to the
nine hours system. Instead of the number of work-
ing hours being increNsed in that country, he be-
lieved that when a favourable opportunity presented
itself, eight hours would become the question, for
that was enough for any one per day who was en-
gaged in hard work. He hoped they would at once
form a society for the protection of their interests.
They had seen the want of it in that struggle, and
' they would find if they had one that they had a sort
of claim upon other societies in existence. He also
hoped they would not allow the secretary and trea-
surers, who had worked so hard in their behalf, to
be victimised by the employers. He had heard that
one of them was to be degraded as a labourer, but he
trusted the men would save their comrade this
'humiliation, and subscribe for his maintanance till
ho had found employment elsewhere—(cheers:.
A vote of thanks was then passed to the Cha'rman
and the meeting terminated.

Bryant and May beg to direct special attention to their
New Oval Pocket Vesta Boxes, with Patent Spring Cov-
ers, which are entirely free from all Bough Edges and
Sharp Corners, and admitted by every one to be the Best
and Cheapest Pocket liox. ever produced. Betailed every
where at One Penny. Patentees and s,s'e mai.ufacturern
Bryant and May, London. E.