The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-08
watchmen were also employed within and outside
of banking establishments.


pany's works did not, as was expected, become
the scene OF any disorderiy conduct the part OF
the strikers. Gathered the corners distinguish
able by the sprig OF cedar which adorned their
hats, were to be seen groups Of men talking quietly
together or listening to the news OF the day as
read by one OF their number. II may have
been that they cast an occasional glance
toward the bare columns which surrounded the
empty gas tanks, and chuckled with hearty salts
faction as they saw that they neither had nor were
likely to rise to their usual height. These huge
tanks are the palladium ofthe strikers success, and
upon their rising or remaining where they are
entirely depends the victory or defeat OF their
movement. II the company could by any possible
means secure men and retorts enough 70 I'LL
| the tanks the strikers would be routed ana
forced sue Tor peace on any terms. The LABOR is
| not sucn as requires skilled worknen, ana the
failure OF the Italians Ia mainly due to the iact OF
their being unable TO understand the orders whicn
are issued to them by the experienced ioremen sti
| In the service OF the company. Far from already
pany, the men laugh and joke about the attempt
Of Tie Italians to DO their work, and assert that
s'by wednesday morning the company Will De giad
~ INSIDE THE BUILDING.
The discharged men, to the number or 1853, were
paid on yesterday afternoon. They received their
money without any manifestations OF hostility, and
again resumed their places on the adjacent corners
The money was passed out to each man through
grated window, and posse Oh police were
CHARTERED in an adjacent part Of the room Charles
O. MOwtOn, Chief Engineer, received the HERALD
reporter, and expressed willingness to show him
over the works. afu IL .sa vaf
Mowton ~ was the query Of the HERALD man.
Il am afraid It will not hold out longer than ten
or eleven O'Clock, but we are doing our very best.
am nearly exhausted from anxiety and vexati0n.
tinue much longer,' answered Mr. Mowton.
In the inner office, to which the reporter had
been shown, sat sergeant ofpolice, who managed
the deplOyment of his men with great and con-
summate discretion. Three were stationed at the
clubs kept the outside rabble in submissive
quietude. The police Of the Filth and Fourteenth
precincts alternately did very efficient duty in the
lunch-ro0m and on the street.
IN THE RETORT HOUSE.
Alter the tired chef engineer had completed
some work which occupied his attention, he rose
and conducted the HERALD reporter through the
door and into the great Of the works
tend to impress the visitor with any great OF
the comfort or cheerfulness OF the place.
"DO you see how we'll ventilated this building
fSpo said Mr.. MOwtOn pointing to the huge open
ings in the and to the doors OF the structure
There certainly was no question OF ventilation,
but the draught OF cold air which struck the re-
porter's face was anything but pleasant. Il re-
which are SO scathingy condemned In 'Put Your
SELF in His Place" Certain 1t is that II too much
ventilation is worse than none, the wOrkmen in
gas houses are sure to find 1t out and to suffer &C
cOrdingy.
on the southern side OF the building A large gang
of laborers, mostly Italians, were seen wheeling up
the coal and drawing and charring the coke. They
appeared to perform their work with an intention
OF doing 1t properly, but from inexperience and
smallness Of stature made only partial success.
| several Of the discharged fremen could be seen
deriding and joking the lab0rers The great mis-
take on the part OF the new men appeared to be
before they were thoroughly baked, and as the gas
which escaped upon opening the doors was
flame rolled up almost to the roof to the terror OF
the Italians. The work did not progress with the
The Chief Engineer did not offer to conduct the
porter to the northern side OF the works. and by
his actions discouragea any request to be shown
the part Of the works which the reporter visited
that 1t Is only fair to presume that the condition OF
the workmen in the other portions was even more
demoralzed.
AN UGLY RUMoR.
The steamer George BirbecK touched at the COM
panys wharf about fifteen minutes past three In
the afternoon to land some wOrkmen. As the ves-
sci neared the side Of the pier general rush Of the
Itaans III the works took place. Hastily seizing
their bedding and bundles the descendants OF
Dante attempted TO board the craft. The scene for
q fe moments one OF the greatest confusion.
The men on board the steamer took up defensive
position on the .Rangway and drove back the
officer, who duty on the wharf and claimed
TO have witnessed the scene, that the Captain OF
the tug Birbeck drew revolver on the Italians
and thus prevented them from getting on board
Up till nIghifa number OF the Italians were
sitting desoate and lonely on the edge OF the pier
waiting vanly for the return OF the steamer. The
report that two men were drowned Is pronounced
untrue
further addition TO the force OF the New York
Gas Company was received yesterday afternoon
from the Metropolitan Gas Company. The latter
sent thirty OF their best fremen assist the
gangs already at work New retorts viii be opened,
and, with the large force OF Germans which will,
ia all probability, be engaged to-day, the supply
may be brought up TO the usual standard by Wedncs
day night
g.
pared For.
The Vice President OF the Manhattan Gas Com
pany was visited yesterday at the Office, on the
ner OF Irving place and Fifteenth street, by q
HERALD reporter and assured the latter that not
the slightest apprehension was had Of q general
strike. He said that his company had never yielded
to the dictation OF their men, but had always shown
a Willingness to advance the rate Of wages
whenever they deemed the increase just. There
existed the most perfect understanding between
the employers and the employed that the company
would not look with any sort OF favor upon men
who struck work for an advance In wages.
The most thorough discipline existed In
every branch Of their business Each foreman
under his Immediate control The engineer
or superintendent were alike supreme, and the
Commands com OF their Immediate superors were law
while they remained In the employ Of the company.
The men now at work had been impQrtuned by the
not manifest the least desire whatever TO do So 1t
safe to state that should every strike to-day
neither the consumers ner the city would suffer for
one hour from the loss OF gas Arrangements had
been perfected when the strike was first antici-
pated by which the places Of every man who should
now desert the company could be sup
Piled. Regarding the assertion that the
occupation OF a fireman or helper In the
gas works was an unhealthy business the Vice Pres
ident said that they had men In their employ who
had been with them for nearly thirty years. The
sudden changes OF temperature might be injurious
aQected
was certainly not to be compared to that OF
sailor for severity or hardship. Always under
cover, the men were not compelled to quit work
when the rain snow fell. II was true that the
days work seemed long, but the number OF hours
OF actual labor did not average more than five
to six. True 1t was necessary that the retorts
should not be left uncared for, but when they were
once isll the could sit down to rest and smoke
The fires had to be raked occasionally, but the
actual amount of manual labor required was