The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-19
THE STRIKE In BROOKLYN.

The Sugar Refinertes In Partial Opera
tfon-The Iron Works Mostly IdIe-Car-
penters ind Others Returning to Work.
Interesting STATISTICS OF Capital and
Labor.
The employers of Brooklyn viewing the strike in
that city as nearly at an end, are congratulating
themselves upon the general resut-most of the
mechanics having returned to work, with tie
ception Of the machinists and iron workers. The
carpenters, about three thousand in number, d.
vided among some hundred or more employers, are
working generally at the old rate OF SO so for ten
hours but in some instances men are employed
at $3 for eight hours work. The sash and
blind factories are all busy the employees receiving
So per day of ten hours, but the places OF many Of
the old hands were filled by applicants from the
country during the strike. The moulding mills are
also In full blast ut the old rates OF So so per day
of ten hours, and are patronized to a far greater
extent than usual by builders, who, being behind
hand in their work, are calling for machne-made
woodwork in order to save time Some of the
cabinet makers continue strike, but it Is said
that many OF their places have been secretly sup
pled at the old rate Of So per day OF ten hours, by
men nom other cities, who are reported to be
quietly at work IN the upper stories OF the cabinet
making establishments. The house and carriage
painters have also generally resumed work at
the old rates of from SO per day of ten hours up
ward, according to the nature of the work,
whether plain or ornamental. The masOns about
two thousand in number, continue work at 81 per
day, or eight hours, as arranged last fall when q
reduction OF two hours per day in time and fifty
cents in wages was made by mutual consent OF
employers and employees.
THE SUGAR REFINERIEs
are also gradually resnming business. During the
strike, which began last Thursday, the refners of
Wneatey, Williams ms Co. ana Burger hnrnert
in full operation, the remainder, thirteen In mum.
Der, having mainly been compelled to suspend
manned in partial operation. Yesterday
majority Of the strikers from the extensive
refinery Of Havermeyer Il Elder resumed work at
the old rates, and the re6ners look for a speedy
sumption in all the refneries. The total value Of
the premises and machinery of the fifteen sugar re-
fineries in the Eastern and Western districts of
Brooklyn is from $7,000,000 to 10000, and the
usual total ock hand ranges from 800 800 to
$2O00,00 including sugar in its state and In
process of refining. The total number OF men 0rdi-
narly employed in these refneries is from 1850 to
$500, and the average total running expenses per
day. including labor are $780, in round numbers,
while, when in full operation, an aggregate Of
about $500 barrels OF sugar is refined per day, the
refneres averaging yield of from 225 to $50 bar
rels each.
THE RATE OF WAGES
paid in the refinerics for days work of ten hours
Is 81 go for boys and aborers, 81 for bakers, and
from 81 so to SIS for skilled labor, there being how
ever, only about ten per cent of the total number
OF employees classed under this latter heading, and
they not Joining In the strike, which is confined en-
OF the strikers is not for eight hours day. but for
greater wages, a uniform rate of 81 80 per diem
being demanded. The refners declare their utter
inability to pay any increase whatever, stating
that, in consequence OF excessive competition in
their business, they make profit, and that 1t
would be better for them to close their establish
ments.
THE BROOKLYN IRON WORKS.
including the larger machine shops, are about
twenty-five In number have a total value OF about
$2,5OO,00O In premises and machinery, and are
operated at tan. an aggregate expense of about i've
men usually employed by these works and shops Is
from 800 to 1000: but majority of these now
idle by reason of the strike. The demand Of the
refners, being for eight hours day, but for no In
crease Of wages. The pattern makers, whose wages
past three weeks The machinists, who have been zen
receiving 50 % per day, struck last Thursday.
Some Of the moulders, whose pay is So so per day,
announced their intention to stop work next
Monday. few of the works have temporarily ac-
coded to the demand and are now employing q
limited number OF men to finish important con-
tract Jobs, after which, should the strike continue
the shops Will be closed, as the propretors say that
the reduction OF tive hours In time being cquiva
lent to an increase ol twenty per cent in money,
would render them totally unable to successfully
places where low wages aud other expenses pre-
vail The proprietors Of the various iron works are
unanimous in declaring that, in the event OF a long
strike, they would be forced TO locate THEN estab
lishments in other States, but gather
RAY OF
for speedy termination OF the present trouble
from the fact that some of the machiniss have re-
sumed work and belief that the balance win soon
follow suit,
The Ynachnists and others employed in the Ben.
ton Steampipe Mandatory, began to return TO
work on Monday, and the remainder reported and
were accepted for duty at the old rates yesterday
The plumbers and rasGtters who have been on
strike Tor the eight-hour system reported to be
ABOUT to resume work 10y the hour, making com
promise with employers, which, 1t is considered
will ultimately result In the old hours rlahor.
II win thus be see. tnaf nearly all Of the mechan
les ana y,ners Oh strike in Brooklyn have either
tt..lt tn U,NrEa th.s N
resume on compromises excepting the iron work.
ers ana some of the sugar reiners, leaving now an
estimated number Of less than three thousand men
remaining on strike in that city,