The Express.
London, England, 1852-01-10 00:00:00

PROTEST OF THE BIRMINGHAM STEAM-
ENGINE MAKERS' SOCIETY.

The Birmingham Journal of to-day says When wo
stated last week that there was no apparent intention on
the part of toe operatives employed in this branch of manu-
facturing industry in Birmingham to take part In the
movement of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, we
were not unaware of the fact that here, as elsewhere, the
proceedings of that body had excited much interest. The
observation we then made applies to the present moment.
There have not, we believe, bean any indications on the
part of the engineers in this town or neighbourhood to join
in the ileum& made upon the employers in Louden and
Manchester, an far as the shops of Birmingham are con-
cerned. On the contrary, we are augured that a large and
important body of operatives not only refuse to take
any part in the proceedings of the Amalgamated
Society, but are absolutely hostile to them. It may not
he generally known that there are in existence two
trade societies connected with engineering the one the
Amalgumated Society, which consists of engineers, mill-
wrights, smiths and pattern-makers; the other, the
Steam-engine Makers' Society, which is rather more select
in its membership. Of this last-named association, we
have heard little in the controversy ; and yet it occupies an
important position in the trade. It numbers between'
1,000 and 3,000 members, having branches in the principal
engineering towns throughout the country; and come-
qu,ntly any
i decision of such a body must have a consider-
able effect n influencing the settlement of the unhappy
dispute between the employers and the employed. We ate
informed that the members of this association in Bir-
mingham number about 100, and, including the neigh-
bouring district, not less then 500. This body have had
the present position of the trade under consideration.
They aro of opinion that the movement of the Amalga-
mated Society is not only uncalled for but unnecessary, and
have determined to lend no countenance to their proceed-
ings in any way, directly or indirectly. The Birmingham
branch have farther resolved to recommend the general
committee of management, which is stationed at Man-
chester, to issue immer.iately a declaration to the employers
throughout the country, explanatory of their position, and
the determination at which they have arrived. We believe
that in this decision Birmingham is not singular. The
various branches of the association entertain similar views
with regard to the present nisi', .rtunate proseeilinioi; and
the centrist committee of management have cautioned mem-
bers against being led away by the representations of the
Amalgamated Seciet3. They consider that to insist upon
the demands made by that body would result in great injury
to tha trade. Belgium and the United States aro no mean
competitors ; an addition of 10 per ccut. on many im-
portant department* of machinery would throw England
out of the market ; and the result would be either
the total loos of these banisher of the trade, or
• reduction In wages to an extent that would enable us
to compete with the other maehine.making countries.
It must not, however, be forgotten that there are many
operatives connected with the Amalgamated Society in Bir-
mingham, and many who aro members of neither body.
Numerically, they may be stronger than the members of
the Engine Makers Society ; but, so far as we aro aware,
they hare evinced no intention to insist upon a compliance
with the demands made elsewhere. 11, however, they
should do no, we aro informed that the employers are pre-
pared to follow the course adopted in Manchester and
London, namely, to close their works. At the extensive

I establishment at Suho, and at the London Works (Mciurs.
Fox, Ilunderson, and Co.), we understand that notice has
been given to the members of the Amalgamated Society to
the effect that if they insist upon the demands made upon
the employed elsewhere, their discharge is inevitable. We
trust, however, that this determination will not be rendered
necessary. If it should, great distress will be the result,
inasmuch as those who are satisfied with the present posi-
tion of the trade—who are willing " rather to bear the ills
they have than fly to others they know wit of "—wilt be in-
volved in the same unfortunate circumstances arising from
the want of outploymeni, as those who woe really the Anti
Mote of the quansl.