New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-02-19
LABOR MOVEMENTS.
THE PRINTERS sTRIKE-THE CONFESSIONS SIDE
OF THE STORY.

| THE PRINTERS sTRIKE-THE COMPOSITIONS SIDE
| OF THE STORY.
| To the Edftor OF The Tribune
SIR: A statement of the strike of the printers
In this mornings paper calculated msead the pub
lie on very important point and ask tho indulgence
OF columns TO refute It, that the employers
at their meeting yesterday perfected scale of prices
previously offered to the journeymen but which was re-
ected. and VIII be again submitted to them for adop
] ton"
Now the point wish to explain and deny this In the
first place no scale of prices has been offered by the elm
poyers to the men Strike, 1t Is true that scale was
made and published and advertised but by the passage
Of the resolution at the Aston House two weeks ago.
that the Typotbete would have no dealing or commu
nlcatOn with the Union the employers eectualy
their scale up in strong box and placed 1t out OF the
reach OF all lonrneymen printers and virtually onefou
Now, doubtless, they will again offer 1t by the same
means This they will find, is futile No Jom"eymas
oh The medium of Ssr Gi No.
and ns Union cann9t be reached by s ON
the part OF the employers resembling the resolution
above referred to- and then sending committee for
that scale has been offered to the strkers" is false;
and by their actions the employers have shut off the
only means by which conclusion OF the strike can be
that advertised for the "Rats."
The whole thing Is simply this: the employers know
and have felt aud tested the strength of Union, and
they cannot bring themselves to acknowledge 1t. after
the strike; yet fear, before they the end OF It,
they will have to own up that our our, posi- ,sn
advantage OF right side for have never in any
way ntlmated that we would not receive and listen TO
was deliberate insult to respectable body of citizens
Incorporated into association by the laws OF our state
Netc York, Feb 10, 1862 -
list OF prices to be paid for the kinds OF job
printing work reported to the employing printers by
their Committee yesterday, and adopted. Common
matter" Is to be paid follows: solid manuscript 80
cents tper 1000 ems; loaded manuscript Il cents solid
reprint Al cents; loaded reprint, a cents The new
scale Is printed in circular with address from the
employing printers TO tho compostora In which the en-
This is the fourth week OF the Union strike Both
parties believe better fitted TO Judge OF It's
merits We were never consulted about Union rules
and prices. The scale OF prices we discussed IN joint
committee ia not the scale OF prices now demanded Wo
hold that 1t takes two parties to make bargain ana Op
ject To the enforcement Of rules In the making OF when
We have not had the chance TO express an opinion
The prices unreasonable and made In the interest OF
Wish to abo o5 wo Gn1 PCoT md
r h tbo III mp, from tho correction OF ms
Of Union in enforcing his claim for $40 week when It
i, we elk that that price has o, Tor long
men.
Attempt was made to enforce prices not by argument
or persuasion, but by surprise and coercion. We had
been assured that there intention 10 srket that
IN all future attempts at change Of prices composttors
would rely on reason ana justice only. And yet, regard
and all justice, che Union deliberately planned the best
method OF attaining s ends by coercion We regard this
action Of the Union as bad faith and bad manners We
yield nothing to force We ask rejecting TO
culate the difference Ia weeks work between both
scales VIII II pay, either IN money or IN any other way
90 sustain this striker 80 far we have acted mainly on
the defensive. We have trusted to tho returning good
10 the sober second thought OF the compotors IN
the belief that they would see that ms strike was as
for you to decide whether the next six months shall SEQ
supply Of compositors, largely In excess Of the demand
competing with each other for employment on de1AD-
market for labor"