The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-05-20
THE LABOR QUESTION.

Proposed Strike of the Plano Makers To-
Day.
Between seven and eight hundred piano Makers
workngmen employed at factories In this city, as
sembled yesterday afternoon at Ruppert's Hall, on
Forty fifth street, between First and Second avenues
Mr.. Henry Siebert presided. After resolving to hold
a picnic at jones' Wood on the oath OF August next
the real object Of this gathering In mass was reached
which is the enforcement Of their demand for an in
crease OF wages. On last Thursday, at meeting Of
delegates from the various factories, which convened
at No. rs Stanton street. 1t determined to inquire
Of each employer what he intended to do In the mat.
ter, and yesterday the result of their inquiries was
reported. OF all the numerous factories In the city
oniy that Of Smith Il Co., successors to Brad
bury, agreed to an advance OF fifteen per cent
upon the present scale of wages. Decker
co. having continued to pay the same prices as
which may he adopted by the other manufacturers.
Lindemann Il Sands refused any and all advance,
finished the work now In hand they might Just as
well stop IL they declined TO continue at present
rates. The answer of the proprietors ut nearly oil
the other establishments as reported TO the meeting
yesterday was, that If Sieinway Sons will pay the
increase asked for they would do likewise and not IL
they don't. rather irregular ana desutory debate
ensued after these reports were received, during
which the president OF the meeting INDUCED In some
very improper and unjust aspcrsions OF the press OF
the city, as being n the pay of capital and against
the labor INTEREST," which, however, were
not very favorably received. For while 1t
meeting would be, IA some extremists among the
members insisted upon the return to Old prices
some hirtyfve or forty per cent higher than those
paid now. At last n motion was made and carried,
with but dozen votes in the negative, that an in
crease OF ten per cent, hcli would amount to the
wages paid before the last reduction, should be de-
mauded; and then it was unanimously resolved that
this morning In every shop except those of Smith
n GO. and Decker a Bros, before commencing work,
the men should IN body proceed 20 the several pro-
preiors and demand on immediate answer, anu II
any do agree then retire from fhe factory and
nj
way sons were then instructed 10 report ut once
TO the other shops the answer they may receive; as
the others have made their action IN the matter de-
pendent upon the course adopted by this leading
establishment. committee OF three will be in ses-
receive the reports Of how these proceedings re-
suited during the day, and then the executive Conf
mittee viii determine what further action II any,
may become necessary.
Operative Plastcrers.
large and very enthusiastic meeting OF the
plaserers OF New York was held ct the Demilt Inssi
tuio last night. There were three hundred and
tity members present. the largest number that has
ever attended regular meeting Of the association.
The chief business OF the session was 10 consider
the proprety OF insisting upon an advance OF wages
from 81 so per day TO So in accordance with notice
char was occupied by Michael Goode, and r. Grogan
acted as secretary
After the transaction OF the usual routine business
and the initiation or u number Of new members Mr..
MuNDAY moved that the society wages OF the men in
New York be IS per day and after the 10th OF May
MI. MuNDAY advocated the adoption OF the resou-
ton on The ground that now was the most favorable
Time 10 ask for the increase, which was Just, and at
this season OF the year, when business was brisk
the demand would doubtless be acceedcd to- He
had understood that already some twenty or thirty
societies which had demanded an advance Of wages
had been successful and there was no reason why
the plasterers should be an exception.
Mr.. STERRirT moved FOR a postponcneDt Of the
matter until the first meeting In July which lost
on q division.
An exciting discussion followed. Mr.. CAuIrL op-
posed the proposed strike at the present time when
work was SO dull that many could not 1ct Jobs.
Mr.. BURNS supported the resolution ana thought
this the tune to demand the increase before tho
jsbs we're DONE
Mr.. Mansfield, Mr.. Gleson, Mr.. Fortune and others
spoke for and against the proposed demand, and on
division there were l9S for 1t and lii against H. AZ
the fues require two.Ihirls vote the motion was
lost.