The New York herald., 1873-11-02
THE LABOR CRISIS,
Reduction of Wages by tho
Master Builders.
Views Of the Employers and Prospects
of the Issue.
THE QUESTION BEFORE THE UNIONS.


demands Of their workmen making eight hours q
days work. and paying therefor sl to masons and
brcklayers and 81 so TO aborers This they saw
so enhanced the cost OF buildings that the trade
has~Deen very dun during the past season and
SHOWS no signs OF revving next spring.
This dulness, increased ny the existing money
stringency, puts the contractors in position where
they consider 1t best to resist the exactions or
labor and they have, therefore, agreed to cut
down wages. VIII this reduction be submitted to
by the worAingmen, or will they strike, a sec
tion OF the cigar makers have done, and thrust
aside the clipped loaf prclerrng breads Tnis
contest involves not alone the livelihood OF these
workingmen, bnt concerns the welfare of the
whole city as well. We are at the beginning OF q
long, bitter winter The class OF labOrers not
members Of the unions are plentiful, and ask en-
ployment at the bosses terms and prices Will
the society men throw what work Is left on hand
into the hands OF these outsiders while they
striker These problems discussed by those
most interested in the notes OF our reporter be-
low
REDUCTION OF WAGES.
Yesterday, the 1st OF November was the date
fixed upon by the Association OF Employing MasOns
and Brcklayer5 for the reduction OF wages for the
mechanics and laborers employed IN the building
trade. From and including yesterday masons and
brcklayers to be paid at the rate OF So SO In
stead Of S4 for the days work OF eight hours. and
laborers are to have So instead OF So so per day.
There is but small amount OF building going on at
present, only, in fact, some half dozen large
jobs, mainly to be done this ial and the aggregate
saving to the employers on the wages for the next
four weeks cannot be very large, but the employers
argue that the cost OF building during the
last year has been great, considering the con-
cession OF eight hours Tor days work, that cap-
talists have been deferred from investing money
in new houses. Scarcely any large building enter-
prises are in contemplation for next spring, and
the builders claim that 1t s necessary to cut down
the OF LABOR in order to stimulate that class OF
investments. Prior to yesterday the several fore
men at the building WORKS now gong on had given
notice to their employees that with the beginning
OF November the reduction would commence. Ac-
cordingly, at most OF the Jobs some OF the hands
were absent, probably as protest against the cur
that after The action of the WOrkingmen,s mass
meeting all would return to work.
WHAT THE EMPLOYERS SAY.
HERALD reporter conversed with many OF the
bosses yesterday, and they all expressed the belief
that not only would they succeed IN liking wages
at lower rates, but that 1t was the interest OF the
workmen to take lower rates. Should there be no
discount on the present cost OF building they con-
tend the business Will come to an absolute stand
still, and the baffed mechanics and laborers, in
stead OF growing about small returns for work,
will have the entire lack work to bear up under.
On what little building there is to be done in spite
OF the exorbitant cost, the contractors viii take
is anticipated for them class. They have gen.
orally laid by something for a dull season, and can
stand some nressure by a close retrenchment
This is not the with the employees, who mostly
spend each week the wages OF the previous week,
Ii they do not anticipate them by credits at the gro
cers' and butchers. small proportion OF them
have deposits in the savings banks, but these would
soon melt If there should be stoppage OF work
and wages.
Secretary OF the Employers Association, himself an
architect ana builder on a large scale, told the re-
porter that nearly all his men were at work yester-
day as before, and he mad no doubt that those who
rhought.it was more for the interest OF the work-
than OF the bosses so lower the OF build
that way rather than risk it in speculation. Hebe-
lieved the building workmen had only themselves
to thank tnat the business had so largely fallen on
during the last year. II property owner asked
him what 1t would cost TO do certain building i'm
provement, and on seeing the estimate says,
swell, that is beyond my figure; guess I'D bet
ter waitr he was forced to reply that 1t would
probably be wisest to do SO. The men who have
clamored for the eight-hour rule now actually do
less labor in eight hours than they did III that
time when 1t made only four hfths OF q days time.
He believed the present lack OF employment would
do good IN inducing the workmen to relax
their demands. Now there are probably ten men
idle to one employed Y the society men who
ton OF pay their. places can be filed any
day by outsiders His foremen were constantly
keep under pay men who had been with HIM for
years. He expected the various laborng mems
bers be Identical in this juncture with those OF
the employers, and that they would acquiesce In
posses reference
Mr.. BENJAMIN WEEKS,
a large contractor, said he had in hand but
one large JOB. His men were mostly non
society men, and, though some OF them demurred
against the reduction, he had no doubt a few
days would suffice TO bring them back to
lost their places they could at once be filed by
equally good men from the multitudes now solicit
the interests s Of I'll the 0 employer I Some time ago
society men in his employ struck against him be-
cause he required laborers to carry bricks in q
w n
tended to make him employ two men to do the
work which, by his plan. could more easily be done
by one. He resisted and got laborers who did not
belong TO the Union, and ne found his wages paid
for labor in that department diminished by nearly
of workmen than OF builders that the cost OF build
ing should be lowered, Very little new building
had been undertaken during the last season. and
in order to induce a resumption activity In that
branch OF industry 1t was requisite TO make IL an
object for moneyed men TO use their means that
way.
apparently have no apprehension OF an attempt at,
resistance 10 the new tarlf OF wages while there
are so many men out OF work.
SAFE BUILDERS.
Inuuiries at the o1ices OF leading safe makers in
the city yesterday show that the money mbarrasS-
ments have somewhat reduced the sales OF office
safes, though the bank work continues about the
same as before. Probably one fourth OF the hands
heretofore employed have been discharged during
the last month, though the works are running full
time and with undimlnished wages Tor the
men retained. Difficulty Is encountered in col
lections, as in other trades, but these arc
OF merchandise, as most OF the safes are sold Tor
cash. Unless the financial furry should increase
and become general storm the safe builders do
not apprehend any very severe check upon their
business, and they hope to keep their workmen in
employment ana good wages right along.
THE BRICKLAYERs MASS MEETING.
central meeting OF the brickayers assocfa.
tions, consisting OF delegates from all the ooges,
was held last night at the Germania Assembly
Rooms, Twenty.seventh street and seventh
avenue. 1t was very largely attended, bue
being strictly close Its proceedings could
not be fully known to even press reporters.
From the loud and long applause whicn was
heard in the streets IL evident that there was
no lack OF interest in the debate Members VINO
were entering expressed the nrm conviction Snas
the societies would adhere to the old scale OF prices
In spite OF the employers resolves Ior Tednctlon.
SO far as could be judged from the tone o. she OUT
side talk il was apparent that madness rules the
hour and the society men will decide to throw up
their employment rather @ ,an % cnn, hS o me