The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-01-22
The Glass Works.


past Of a meaitated reduction of wages and prob
able strike aud stoppage of work at the glass
works in this city in consequence, and knowing
how deep an interest our people feel in this
establishment, affsrding subsistence, a. it does,
to some five hundred CT our population,-we
have taken the pains to run down thass runners
and to ascertain exactly how much there is in
them.
1t was announced several weeks ago, that, in
view of the reduction in the price of gold, bring.
ing with it corresponding reduction in the
price of foreign glass and in view, further, of
the limited demand for some time, the glass man.
ufacturers at Pittsburg the headquarters of glass
making in this country, met and agreed upon q
scale OF prices for work, said to be about those
paid before the war. The men there not being
willing to submit to the proposed reduction, most
OF the factories have already put out their fires
and the balance, it is understood, will do so on
the LIST of February, with possibly enc or two
exceptions.
In view Of this state of facts, the important
question presented itself to the Ottawa Glass
go on accumulatng stock, already amounting to
between thirty and forty Thousand dollars, at
present cost, which must come in competition
with glass made at the lower scale O! wages,
should Pittsburg resume, and with ash imported
duty free, as will most likely be the case /? Tho
loss must necessarily be enormous.
In view Of THE state Of things, Judge Caton,
the President Of the Company, assembled the
workmen at tae factory on Wednesday evening,
and laid the case fully before them. After do.
failing the facts already referred to, he said the
| company desired still ts 20 on if it could do 90
by only taking par. of the risk which must be
| incurred, and which might involve the loss Of
| the whole capital He said he had net invested
his money IN that enterprise solely on account Of
the income he had anticipated from it, but rather
| from the pleasure he took in seeing nanufactur.
| ing enterprises 90 on. which gave employment
and support to laboring men. That 90 far as he
was concerned pecuniariy, lie should not want
should the fires go ost tomorrow and net 10
kindled again in year but 1t was not 50 with
most OF those present, who depended on their
tell to support their families. He was therefore
more anxious to continue the work on their &c.
count than his own. To stop now would have q
depressing influence on many other branches o,
business in the place which he should also deep
ly regret. After consulting with . majority OF
the directors, not having had an opportunity Il
confer with all, he would submit to the men
present two propositions under either Of which
the work could so on. Both, as was reasonsbl.
and right, required the laborer to take part
though the smallest part, Of the risk The com
pany would prefer the latter of the two PROPOSE
tiohs, which was fully cooperative i'll Its nature
making all partners in the bu siness, although i,
assured the men support in any event, which
WAS true of the former proposition as we'll. II
neither Of these formal propositions was sstisfac.
tory, he said they might continue work without
determining upon the amount of wages. and
then, when the factories at Pittsburg did resume
whatever prices they paid for all work done af,e,
the lst of February, should be the wages here
II none OF these proportions we're fair, hs would
be glad to hear the objections Of any one He
said he was proud OF the men, as q class, now in
the service OF the company, and believed they
could nowhere bs excelled for skill, sobriety, in.
dustry and integrity.
The men expressed themselves satisfied with
the fairness of the propositions submitted Il
them, with the good faith of the company, and
its promptness and honorable dealing with then,
thus far. But they desired time for consultation.
The indications seemed to be that one Of the
propositions would be unquestionably accepted
probably the first and thus the work would
go on.
The following is literal copy of the prerosi-
tions submitted to the workmen in writing:
Proposition Of tie Osta,ca Glass Company to IL
Employees.
1st The present rate of wages to be continued
till the LIST Of February 1870.
| I'd. A separate account to be kept OF all the
glass made on and after February /, 1870. There
shall then first be sold an amount of glass equal
to the amount the company have on hand at that
date. After this amount is sold tho sale of the
| glass made under this Arrangement shall be con.
sidered as commenced. If the glass made after
the 1st of February 1870. under the arrang sment,
shall sell for higher price than was obtained
for glass sold by this company during the month
of January 1870, then the pay Of the employees
signing this agreement shall be increased in the
same ratio. or rate per cent, over the price or
wages now paid them, and if said glass 10 sold at
, lower price than was obtained for the glass
sold during said month of January 1870, then
said wages, or compensation, shall be reduced at
the same rate per cent. To illustrate, il the
glass made under this arrangement should be
sold at price . per cent. higher than the price
obtained for glass sold during said month Of
January, than per cent is to be added to the
| ,,ouoa mud rjr, o,nrs,