The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-07-23
TRADE MEETINGS.
Action Against Military Contractors and
spcculators-NIeeting of Capmakers and


Action Against Military Contractors and
Spcculators-Meeting Of Capmaker and
TaiIors.
The complaint against contractors and unscrupulous
obbers and spectators on the part Of operatives work
ing the manufacture of military equipments has become
general and has last called forth calculated
check the abuse government patronage Ameetngof
capmakers held Sunday Germania Hall No. ~
A. at the call of the Capmakers Association with
view Of protesting against the manner in which
tracts given to spectators The meeting called
to order by Mr.. Hofstetter, the President Of
the Capmakers' Association From statements made
in explanation of the object Of the meeting, IL appears
that contract for twoor three hundred thousand caps
for the army to be given out by the general governsas
They intend to prevent the falling Of this
hands of the SPECTATORS who not cap manufacturers
but who intend stated furnishing articles OF nfs
rior quality, while the wages Of the workmen are c1s
down below the standard Tho workmen under these cir
cunsances, hardly able to sufficient for thsir
subsistence 1t stated that such had been the Oass,
and an instance was mentioned where contrast
for $1,000 military caps was given out 70 Sons
spectators, who made subcOntract with cap
facturer rate that the capmacrs paid only i've
shngs for making dozen OF caps, which were worth
81 IS each The original contractor 1t observed,
must have made an immense profit, while the workne1,
well the cap maBuacturer-the sub contractor
dcfrauded of part Of their earnings The wages or
the workmcn already low that such swndIes
could not be tolerated. 1t appeared that The
are called held meeting previously, and were
represented by delegates, with q view Of uniting
with the wormcn in protesting against the above man
of swindlng delegation also present
from the Kuerschncr Social Krankcn vereinan assocta
alton Of German furriers-who endorsed the efforts being
away with this species Of swinding. II was
stated that proposals were OUT where Major winthrop,
United States Army on the part of the general govern
men invited for competition in furnishing the above
toned two hundred thousand caps for the army the me-
terials to be furnished by the general government
thc c1o
extensive dealers Mr.. b Godstein who spoke with re-
gard to this matter opposition to military specuators
wished to know who were the extensive dealers In h0
opinion they the jobbers spectators who would
undertake these contract swndles. The work should
be given directly into the hands OF nianufac-
turers mud tradcsmcn, and not into the hands
Of iobbers for specializing purposes Therefore b
moved that the general government be pettoncd on The
subject Mr. Martin Stark and other capnakers endorsed
the proposition and suggested various means to carry Gus
the object in view.
Mr. Morse a ssboss' capmaker did not consider the
feasible. He informed the meeting Of the action
of the boss capmakershat it their determination
their own interests and rights The bosses were wiin
to pay regular but under the circumstances they
hnd not been able TO- while the government permitted
the favUres Of its officials to speculate contracts h
their pockets with the profits. The "bosses had
discussed this matter, and they were willing to give fair
price for their labor They would aid them to the last
Therefore the speaker proposed that the 0urneycn and
the cap manufacturers unite their efforts. This PROPOSE
ton was endorsed by most of the capmakers. Remarks
made on the subject by Mr. Scrncr and Mr. Roll the
latter cap manufacturer On motion of Mr. Stark it was
nim0uSly resolved to effect a with
the boss canakers in defeating the speculAors, and
committee then appointed to hold conference with
the 'bosscs at meeting Of the latter, which is to BE-
held on Monday TO day. The committee was composed
of Messrs Hofstctter, Stark, Bader, Henchnger and
Fisher The meeting thereupon adjourned
The Capmakers Association composed entirely Of Ger
mans numbering about six hundred members In all
there between two aud three thousand capmakers In
this city,
MASS MEETING OF TAlLons.
The tailors this city making complaints Of the
mo ratra They saw that thcy are laborinr under
system Of oppression which has been recently instituted
bv greedy acd parsimonous contractors by which the
majority are reduced almost destution while order
TO earn days wages the amount Of six shings they
are oompeled work like slaves from carly until late
Therefore they have held meeting TO take action
against IT, The meeting took place few days ego at o.
lumbian Hail. Grand srsst. A. Mr. BardoH presided on
the occasion Speeches ware made from the o.
the rearks was evident that the indignation Of tho
or we've denounced as band of swindlers, thieves and
robbers through whose misseds they and their families
have 70 suffer and stsrve From sne M @ MADE,
to leave deposit Of messy as security IN obtatn-
ing possession Of the material fer the WORK.
10 secure il h pretended, the safe return ~
the stuff and faithful performance Of the work.
FOR the material Cor clock or coat the workmen arc
,n required $40 deposit for the goods was especially
denounced outrageous The majority Of the worknen
have the means to give secury and they maintain
that recommendation honest by responsible par
ties entities them to obtain work. Furthermore
this security system subjects the men 20 CON
siderable annoy ance and oppression from Tue aaCs
always, IT was stated, inclined 70 retain =
portion Of the money deposited by making an sorts OK
objections the work and the manner IN which II was
executed The object OF the meeting was mahnestly 10
adopt some measures whereby to do away with this.
While The speakers engaged IN denonncng con-
tractors and proposing Illustrate their plans,
tho discussion was frequently interrupted by adverse
partca. There were, it was evident, various persons