The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-09
TIE LABOR MOVEMENT.
Meeting of the Pinn0mnikers--Strong Appeals
to the Assembly and Weak Responses
What the Other Side Has 10 Say.

Meeting of the Pinnomukers-Strong Appeals
TO the Assembly and Weak Responses
What the Other Side Has TO Say.
The pianomakers held very respectable mass
meeting yesterday, not less than about four hundred
being present at the opening Of the meeting 1t
would be wei, however, for them and other German
organizations to consider whether 1t better
to call the meeting at four or five O'Clock instead OF at
two or three, when they themselves know that the
first two hours are only for wasting. Mr. Henry
Siebert the President of the Pianomakers' Union
took the chair and Mr.. John Appel was secretary.
The chairman, Mr.. Siebert, gave lengthy exposi-
ton OF the object which had caused them to be called
together He stated, in substance, that the action
Of the firm Of Steinway & Sons had thrust the
eight hour question upon them; that at the
last meeting it had been resolved to have subscrip-
ton lists go around the different establishments the
subscriptions obtained TO be In aid Of the brick
layers, now on strike for eight hours as days
labor; that the man, an employee Of Stenway &
Sons. who had this list for circulation, was at
man, the Messrs. Steinway are reported to
have said that whoever supports the eight
o oSF strike aso Of he ssse will be as
contended that every had the right to assist and
support whatever he liked and that he may do with
his money as he pleases; that the rational relation
between employer and the employed Is only that the
latter should do his work well and the former ought
chairman said, sprang other differences, which re-
suited In appeal to the society for action at law
SI Ss % h camei ne s he Sad a
menced two "boxes " for which pay was refused.
lengthy debate ensued upon the several points
touched by Mr.. Sebert in his opening address,
which was concluded by resolution, unanimously
adopted. that the eight hour strike of the brick
layers be sustained with all the means In the pos
session of the pianomakers. TO avoid any
premature conflict Mr.. Kuntz moved, and his mo-
ton was also unanimously adopted, that the piano
what they wish In aid of the brickayers, but that at
Stenway's factory the men should be at liberty to
organize by departments or branches and subscribe
anywhere outside of the factory and then send the
money to the next meeting by their delegates.
cussion about motion proposed by the former, but
at last Mr. Won Gunden, with few. sensible re-
propositions were made, but his argument that the
employer has as good right to make rules for the
guidance OF MS SHOP as tne Working man mas TO sub
ceived with assent Mr.. Van Gunden then spoke
specifically OF the Steinways, and said he at is but
just to acknowledge that 1t Is to the pride of all Ger
many that German talent industry, ingenuity, enter
prise and perseverance have carried or the palm in
several public competitions"
After some further remarks by the speaker and IN
animated discussion between other members upon
the same subject, member one OF the employees at
seinways factory, took the floor and denounced the
Whole movement.
After very much talk and some sharp controversy
1t was finally agreed To give vote of censure to the
firm of Seinway Sons, and with telling the men,
bers that they should agree among themselves in
wages and instruct their delegates accordingly, the
meeting adjourned.
Hearing the other side "a il alw rays proper in any
quarrel IL appears that the person discharged, at
least the men employed AT Stelnway Sons say,
| was not discharged for the reason alleged by
| him, but because when asked he did not
tell the truth, but claimed that the list In his posses
sion he had found, and liar he tod could
be trusted in that factory. All the further quarrel
which arose from this had its foundation in the fact
that the firm of stenway Sons desire to retain the
control Of their business and not deliver it into
the hands OF their employees. They are not, the
employees OF the firm themselves say, opposed to
workingmen's associations; they have even, to
a certain extent, encouraged them, as being
one OF the means to obtain Just recogni-
ton of the rights OF workmen. But where
five hundred men are at work from day
to day there are some rules necessarily TO be
forced 10 keep the work going and everything in
order and II these rules were submitted to the debate
OF the men there would be none ut all and disorder In
consequence. And some OF the men say the firm of
Stenway q Sons would be perfectly justided, II
these nererences DO not cease to declare that they
Will no longer employ persons belonging to society
which Is subject to q mere majority rule and Is con-
troled by the very persons who, out OF business
luminosity, seek TO create trouble In the largest estab-
lshnent OF the trade In the city, IL IL to be hoped
that with the failure OF the first meeting the men
will desst.