The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-27
THE LABOR QUESTION.

State Of Transformation Of the Trade socto-
ties-Their Numerical Strengtd'-Itnte Of
Wages ut Present Received.
The trade societies or New York and Brooklyn
were never so powerful as they are a. the present
time. Greater interest is manifested In trade or
carnations than was the case two years ago, ana
nearly every good workman, IN every branch Of In
dustry Is now q ''sOcety man." There Is probably
not pasterer In the cty-unless he be "boss''-
that Is not member OF the plasterers society," ana
it Is this close union that has enabled this BODY to
dictate terms to employers.
The number of successful strikes that have oc-
CURED this year has greatly augmented the strength
of many unions II a strike is successful 1t results
IN bringing more society men into the circle OF
"unionsts;r II the reverse the men that are OPP
posed to strikes-and there are great many in
every organzaton-frequently leave the society.
The stories told about ''hundreds OF work'ncn
walking the streets In search Of employment have
no foundation. No skilled mechanics are ''walkng
tile streets" for the purpose described, although
there are great many aborers porters, clerks and
others OF this class out OF work.
THE DRY GOODS CLERKS.
The young gentlemen who serve behind the cOn
tiers In the fashionable dry goods stores are perhaps
the greatest sufferers at this time The ladies' who
keep them busy are gone to Saratoga or some other
place. and the consequence ID that employers, in the
absence of business, cutting down expenses and
the number OF employees Within two weeks Stewart
has discharged seventy clerks, and all the other
large stores, with few exceptions. have reduced
hands proportionatc'y. This places the clerks IN q
very bad position, for they cannot now obtain en-
plOyment and few can save money enough from
their scanty earnings to carry them over the dull
season.
BUILDING.
The brickayers, plasterers, carpenters ana 0tncr
trades engaged in building are toleraby busy. when
fha uaOpn ar i'm
large number OF residences are In course OF con-
strucon between FOrtieth street aud the PARK.
while the continual demolition of the small houses
on Broadway and the erection OF magnificent stores
in their places furnishes vast amount OF employ
ment In West Broadway and Crosby street NUM-
Der Of new houses are in course of erection. The
Old frame houses on both these thoroughfares are
gro dens and bagnios merchants onlces and stores
will appear. As mentioned above, all the mcchan-
les and labOrer5 engaged in building find plenty or
work at established wages. The opening of Church.,
Chatham and Pearl streets, and the demolition OF
the old Hospital furnish work for 400 men.
THE IRON TRADE.
The use of iron in The construction OF houses has
lent an additional impetus to this branch OF in.
erection have iron fronts, and In every case the first
story Of iron. buildings ike that OF the Equitable
Insurance Company have iron rafters and In many
cases the door jams and window frames are OF irOn
The result is that iron moulders are in great de-
mand and the wages OF the men, that have been very
low, are gradually coming up with the times
MARBLE AND BROWN STONE CUTTERS.
good wages, varying from i've to seven dollars per
day The magnificent structures that our merchants
are costly in the extreme. Handsome cornIces,
pillars with carved capitals. and rich illustrates
are used giving far more WORK to the marble cutler
white marble without any carving was considered
an extravagant proceeding. Both marble and brown
stone cutters are now IN great demand
sHIPBUILDING.
There Is no greater activity In the dockyards in
this vicinity to-day than two years ago. The
policy OF the administration, and the strikes Of
employees in the Yards have practically put an
boats and schooners are oil that be seen upon
the stocks. Perhaps POlllOns yard at GreenpOint IL
build sft thirty sunboats for the Spanish government
Very few repairs are done in New York, unless they
are OF such character that the vessel cannot ges
OF note are done upon "the other sac," where mate
| rial and labor are cheap.
OTHER TRADES.
All the branches or the large family OF tai0rs have
had their ''strlke" this year. and as general thing
| improved their condition. The cutters obtained an
advance of four dollars per week, and the men en-
| gagged in making up garments ct the first class
take clothing away to make up were defeated.
Fancy work-by which we mean the making OF
and
| gives employment to thousands OF boys and girls.
men aud women. This branch of trade IS rapidly IN
| creasing in New York. and great deal OF the fancy
articles now made equal in delicacy OF execution tho
dainty productions OF France and Germany.
| The walters, recently defeated in their strike for
higher wages have all found employment:
Cablnetmakers report trade good and the rate OF
| wages Improving
| THE TRADE SOCIETIES.
The number Of trade societies IN New York in
very rapidly indeed there are but few work
fensive,n If not offensive. The public, however,
never knows Of their existence unless O strike
occurs 1t is only the large societies that receive
particular attention from the press. The following
il list OF the principal labor organizations this
city with statement OF the numerical strength Of
each and the rate Of wages at present received ~
the members -
| Number OF Rate OF
Society. members. ycd0es.
Stairbuiders ................ 40 So rs 81 %
| Cilders. 200 90 q 90
| Marble pOlshers. ........... 800 0Oa -
| CIabinetInakers. .............. $500 90 a 90
| ,IOnashOremen. ............. 1850 40c.per hour
| a z 15