The New York herald., 1873-11-08
THE LABOR SITUATION.
The Building strike-Non-s Society Men Refusing
the Reduced Wages-The Workingmen's
Union-Yhe Soap Manufacturers.

Labor scored slight advantage over capital in
the building strike contest yesterday. At half
past one O'Clock the laborers and bricklayers on
Blackedges job at Bank ana Hudson streets who
were non-society men. Knocked of work, refusing
to proceed at the reduced wages which they had
accepted. Some OF them at once went to the
bricklayer's headquarters and became members of
the striking body. The first demur came from
the hod carriers, who were only getting 81 a day,
and their cause was directly espoused by the brick
layers, who were to have SO 5o This success in
the centre OF the line felt by the society TO
more than balance their check down town, where
Messrs. Smith & Prodgers, contractors for the
Western Union Telegraph building, put on force
OF nOn-society aborers at the reduction, without
regular force OF bricklayers except few appren-
tices and special men. From up town it was re-
ported that the only job employing nOn.society
men s DR.. Hall's church, and that there the brick
laying Is costing the contractor more than il done
by competent men at SO per day, owing to the in
ferior character OF the work, which, the society
men say ought to be condemned by the city super
intendent Of Buildings.
FALSE REPORT.
In relation to the report that the proposition TO
accept the reduced rate of wages was discussed
and found supporters in the secret meeting OF
Bricklayers' Lodge No. ], on Thursday evening,
prominent members OF the organization VINO
were present at the meeting denounced
1t as utterly false from start They say no dis
cussOn was had on the subject one way or the
other, and the unanimous sentiment OF the trade
Is to sustain the demand for the old wages. The
Executive Council In session yesterday, admitted
reporters TO the committee room, gave them infor.
nation fully, and seemed confident that no society
men will accept the reduction OF wages.
GREEN HoD CARRIERS PLENTY.
Employers expressed confidence in their ability
to iuy supply their necessities for laborers. They
say there Is no practical limit to the number OF
men ready to shoulder the hod at even the small
compensation OF 81 day, glad to earn that rather
| than remain idle just now, when the cold season
| requires the expenditure OF some money to avert
suffering or death. Whether the labor to be had
| from this abundance OF unemployed men not
| skilled in the building business VIII be
| found to answer the requirements OF the
trade ,sa,nt is not yet fully Determined nor
are so yielding and afrable while idle, may not be-
come more exacting after they are put at work.
and ask for more pay, as they did yesterday in one
instance. No doubt seems to be entertained that
the LaboTers' Union will In the end aid the
strikers. and they profess entire ability to support
| their idle members for several months. No great
addition Is made by the strike to the gross number
| OF men idle In the city. II non-society men re-
| place society men on the buildings, IL only shifts
society men have their organization TO fall back
upon for support when worst comes to worst.
MATCHMAKING GOING ON.
Rumor had 1t that the United States Watch Com
Wales Co., OF Maiden lane. are the agents. had
discharged their hands and closed the factory,
which is unfounded. This firm state that they
have employed since the panic commenced, and
still continue to employ, 200 hands, and intend to
keep them on as long as possible. The payments
due the firm come IN rather slow yet they have
been able to continue labor at their workshop
without interruption.