The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-02-02
TIE LABOR QUESTION.


They Demand an Increase Of Wages.
The clothing cutters OF this city held mass meet
ing last evening at Coburger Hall, No. 10 Stanton
street, Mr.. Herbeck in the chair.
The meeting having been called to order the chair
man remarked that everybody present was well
aware OF the object for which the meeting had been
called Certain houses in the city had made efforts
to lower the standard wages OF twentyfour dollars
to twenty dollars and even eighteen dollars,
and it was question for the members or the
association decide whether or not they could not
reasonably demand an increase Of wages-that is
for those who were compelled to work for less han
$2l per week. Any person who felt inclined to
speak his mind on the subject was at liberty to DO
so.
A delegate from certain house said that it would
be impossible for the men In his shop to strike at
present, for the that the work was nearly all
done, and before the end Of the week seven men,
even at the present standard OF wages, would be
compelled to quit work account OF the dulness OF
trade.
The chairman remarked that he knew house
who wanted ten men and several other houses who
were In want Of several hands. Trade therefore,
was not AZ all dull, in his opinion.
delegate said that certain number Of suits
oe da s0Ud cute the
ought not 10 get the same wages as man who does
not cut ten.
Ia
suits day correctly should get more wages than
man who cuts ten q day IN ''slashing'' manner.
amount OF work, but "botch" might easily cut
more suits than good hand, because he does his
work IN very INDIFFERENT manner.
delegate from house In White street was under
the impression that the men IN his house could not
very well strike At present, owing to the small
Another delegate intimated that the meeting
should take measures by which whatever demand
they should see lit to make at present could be
la 70 mn NAT
Is, when they would be compelled to work three
quarter time. The men who were an injury to the
the trade and who represented themselves cutters
bill of regulation should be established by the society
who were not brought up to the trade could come
up to the mark they would be entitled to the same
wages as expert workmen. but not otherwise.
member remarked that he did not think the cut
tiers were able To strike Just now as BODY There
were houses, however, who only paid men fifteen
and sixteen dollars week, and these were the men
who should be supported. The society should de-
mand that they should be paid the standard wages,
ana ne was willing to pay one dollar week to sup
The chairman remarked that In strike the cutters
vs. would not be thrown on Their own resources alone
ready to give the Cutters Society fourteen dollars
week, per man, during the strike.
delegate wanted to know how many delegates
had reported that the men In their shops were Ia u
condition 10 strike.
The chairman remarked that no delegate had re-
ported upon this subject as yet.
The same delegate said that II the shops would or
game well together they could carry any point they
desired 10 carry. They would dictate to the s.ras-
cally Ioremen," and not they 70 the men. IL the
forelnen wanted the men 10 do q certain amount OF
work and because 1t would not be done discharged
them the men could be able to take the matter IN
hand and teach them that n one discharged all
the men would refuse to work.
The chairman here read the names Of several shops
which had organized and Joined the society, and re
marked that three men who had joined the society
from Chambers street house had been discharged,
but had he was glad 10 say obtained work IN other
houses. II all the cutters joined the society men
could be discharged from the fact that they could
not be replaced but by society men and no society
man would cut the others throat lsensaton)-ng-
uratvely speaking.
one member SAID that he got only SIS and had to
cut hfty pairs OF black satinet pants.
Here the speaker was cried down ana had to take
his seat.
One OF the delegates moved that demand should
be made for four dollars a day.
An0sher delegate moved that the roll or delegates
from the various shops be called. and II y majority
week then the motion should be considered carried
The Vice President said that the better way would
be for each delegate TO go his sbop and get all the
men to sign document In favor or the strike. The
OF the cutters would by that means be ascer-
tanned 10 a certainty.
The Vice Presidents motion was then withdrawn
when the roll OF delegates was called and majority
Of the shops represented reported that the were
in favor OF a demand for an advance.
The meeting then adjourned, after 1t had been re-
solved that the society should await the reports from
the other shops which were not represented.