, 1872-12-17
THE RETORT.MEN.
The Laborers at the Gas Works Ac-
cept the Situation, and
Reduction Of Wages.
Character Of Their Work, and H0urs
OF Labor--.NVon1ers Of the
Gas Works.

Something has already been said in these COL
umns about the anticipated strike OF the retort-
men employed by the Chicago Gas Light and
Coke Company; the question has been heard on
both sides, while the Company still demand q
statement with reference to themselves.
It WAS stated in THE TRIBUNE on Sunday that
the men had double cause Of complaint against
their employers one being the reduction Of their
pay from 50 d day to $3.50, the other being the
postponement Of the payday. To this the
Directors reply that the rate at which the men
we're employed was $3.50, at which sum they
have worked for long time. During the early
part OF June, when the heat began to become
uncomfortable, the retort-men Iealed to the Pres-
ident Of the Company, through the superintend-
ent Mr. P. 7. Bentiss, for an advance, complain
ing that the heat was intolerable and that unless
the advance was made they would strike. Mr..
Cobb promptly acceded to their demands, as he
believed them reasonable, and because, at that
season Of the year, laborers could not be OBJ
tanned. 4 fortnight ago the men were notified
i that, the winter having set in, when working
| before furnace would not be hardship, their
1 pay would be reduced again to the SUM paid
them before the advance was made. To this q
number of them agreed, while comparatively
small proportion insisted upon obtaining all
they could.
The reason for changing the pay-dny is that
the city does not pay for it's gas until the middle
Of the month, nor are the gas bills collected from
individuals until about that date. This being the
case, to pay the hands, soma 300 in number, the
was no necessity for their doing 30 beyond the
custom of paying off at the end Of the month.
Yesterday morning was pay day, and as threats
had been made by one or two Of the most igno~
kcL7 ~ 4na ,t,;p
Gund and Sergeant Hathaway, having given
orders at the Station for prompt assistance, if
needed, stationed themselves at the Gas Works.
near the corner Of Hawthorne avenue and Divis-
ion street. There WAS no ueed Of any protec-
ton from the authorities, however. At noon,
the night gang, having waited to confer with
the day gang, came up Tor their pay. As each
man presented himself he WAS asked whether he
would work for $3.50 day. One after another
the men agreed to do so, with the exception Of
perhaps half dozen, who equivocated and were
discharged. The rest returned to their work
without any disturbance, as agreeable aB they
could be.
Ono Of the retort-men made statement day
or two since, that he and his companions were
dreadful1y oyerworked; that their hours were
from q. N. to 6 p. M for the day gang, and
from p. N. to 6 q. m. for tho night gang; that
the men were not allowed time even to take q
meal, and that their work entitled them to much
| higher pay than they we're getting. It appears,
however, that while their hours are u, their &C.
tual work occupies only hours. The "ratorta"
! are changed consecutively, and when closed up
are left to the process of baking. During this
! operation, which occuplesa stated time, the men
| have nothing to do; can eat and drink, and do
anything they like until tho time arrives for un-
| loading the retorts. 1t is true that the work
! is not Of tho choicest character, but that
is true Of hod-carrying it is continuous Trough
ont the year, and the pay is actually good. It
| requires no vast amount Of mechanical aptitude
| to shovel coal into 8 retort q days practice
| will fit one for that, provided his arms are
| strong nor is any skill called for to aid in
throwing cold water upon the coal or closing the
| retort after it has been recharged.
The reporter was shown through the entire
Gas Works Yesterday, and initiated into tho mys-
! tories Of making gas. He was conducted through
| the enormous shed which can hold SO, 600 tons Of
| conl ; was shown the machinery by which three
yesaels can be unloaded at once; the ingenious
| cars which run on rails at the top OF the
trivance OF which alr BentlRs is the inventor, to
| dump their load mechanically and then run back
for another load; the retort-house filled with
| blazing coal used in baking tho coal in the re-
| tortB above, and smelling terribly; another new
| invention by tho Superintendent to replace tho
| present system of ''hydraulic mains " and
: ,seaIs, y and substitute an expansion joint in
| the gas pipes for the present pipe; also, the
Prf and
| tut. What could be more surprising than to
learn that by placing an additional weight on
! the governor in the Superintendent's room,
tho e17eot would be felt in half minute atDoug-
e1sed q distance OF 105, 900 foet over pure lime
before it Was fit for use or that million and a
half feet Of gas was made daily ? But the most
surprising thing yot was the smell. Ono is pre-"
pared for some slight odor in gas works, espe-
tensive1y carried on than in any other city in the
| county except New York, but that the smell
should be unutterably foul is indeed surprising.
But the men thrive on the hydrogen, and are
protected from epdemics by the ammonia !;
warm their toes at the furnace, strengthen their
muecles in the coal shed, and black their faces
in every department. It is very surprising.