The New York herald., 1873-11-07
BROOKLYN LABOR MOVEMENT.

BROOKLYN LABOR MUvEMENT,
A Tour OF Inspection Among the Rope
wnlks-Hundreds OF Men, Women and
Children Out of Empioymcnt-Whn
the Veteran Forcmcn OF tho Works
Have to Say About the Panic Among
the Hemp Manufacturers.
No branch OF industry in the country tends more,
perhaps, promote the interests OF the mercantile
and shipping business than the manufacture OF rope
and cordage Without rope the 'white- winged
birds OF commercen would be sailless, and there
fore unable to spread their wings and carry to
and fro between remote limits OF the earth the
material wealth OF our Continent. True 1t Is that
steam, as a motive power upon the vasty deep.
has taken the "wind out OF the sails" of
the hempen business to very appreciable extent
during the last quarter OF a century; but, never
theless, strands OF hemp must be spun to nerve
our commerce on the seas and In order to ''spln
this yarn" ropewalks should be kept In full opera
ton. That they are not so occupied is q national
loss and one which extends to our local interests
most perceptibly. Depression existing In other
walks OF trade has extended to the ropewalks and
the sufferers most generally affected are, as usual,
the poor working people, representative OF the
HERALD. most amply, and by personal inspection,
verified the truth or this assertion yesterday in
Brooklyn, by visit to the largest r0pewalks in
that city, which boasts the most extensive hempen
cordage manufactures In the United States.
WALLS soNs' ROPEwALK.
This establishment, which fronts on Bushwck
avenue, and is situated between McGibben and
Segel streets, runs back 1000 feet from the ave.
nue.. 1t is the largest in the United states, and
was established forty years ago. The ONCE Is No.
lis Wall street, New York city. The writer, pre-
ferring personal observation visited the works in
Bushwick avenue and, entering the ONCE, ad-
dressed himself to the bookkeeper, who referred
him to Mr.. John Stewart, foreman or the establish
ment, for the information sought concerning
the effect OF the panic upon their work.
He was informed that the foreman
TO be found at the end or the walk. Hav-
ing accomplished the journey OF 1000 feet long
shed, he met the oracle OF the Wall ropewalk. an
agreeable, elderly gentleman, and by him was
courleously cnaperoned through the establishment
connected with the place ever since its establish
ment, forty years ago, and had rarely witnessed
men. women and children. The present i0rce en-
gagged is not more than 2Oo and they are working
ranges from 75c. paid children, to SIS per
day, which is the highest pay OF skilled
saa sSs Ge
cannot employ strangers while we have dispensed
with so many OF our old hands, We make here
everything, from ishing line TO hawser or thir-
ty-nch rope as the more modern term has it.
Since the cnaln cable has come into general use
from the vocabulary. We attribute the dull times to
the fact that the Dealers orders come in like angels
dealers now, instead OF ordering a supply SO as to
have the stock on hand, only order 1t as sold.
We do DO not annclpate Sp;ito any .rnaIpn Improvement
events, until after the holidays. The reduction OF
the iorce commenced soon after the Wall street
panic. There is not more than half the usual force
employed in any department. Of this establish
ment.h The speaker conducted the scribe through
long line cot Of .gnnes which remain idle, while
the operatives about those which are busy appeared
for the opportunity vouchsaed them by their re-
tention at labor. About the doors OF the ONCE were
seated group Of stout young men, reading novels
employment. The prospects are SLIM for the
to the reporter the improvement that was going
on in the manner OF extending one side OF the
shed Of the walk, so as to widen the latter This"
said Mr.. stewart, 'iS the first time the shed has
been improved since its erection. What a history
might be written about the lives OF those who have
call here to see me who worked here when boys,
and who are now rich and occupying prominent
Others have established themselves in business in
various parts OF the country. 1t has been my rule
whenever man tells me he wants to leave this
employ, to tell him he is at liberty to do so, as he
LAWRENCE 4 SONS RoPEwALK.
This establishment, which is also on Bushwick
avenue, and almost adjons Walls, has not more
than 100 operatives now at work. and they are
working upon half time. II was closed All last
week. The usual running force is 300. The repre-
sentative OF the HBRALD conversed with Mr. Law.
renee, who informed him that the walk, which was
established in 1885, employed Germans as rule,
and the frugal habits OF these people warranted
the opinion that they would Tot be reduced to
actual want hunger should they be discharged
for the winter. Mr.. Lawrence considered
the present the hardest panic, however, that
he had ever encountered, because, said he,
ut has come upon US so suddenly. Bankers
and the Door are now af1ected, and In little
while the middle classes will also suffer The capt.
tasts who have money are afraid to invest 1t.
Rope Is made for home consumption principally.
American and other ships go TO Europe for their
rope as genera thing, because they can buy it
cheaper there than here, though our rope Is the
OF nax Is grown annually IN the West. From this
crop linseed oil is manufactured and the FAX is
then allowed to rot. II this fax was cleaned it
would yield between 5000, ,00e and O. 600 900 pounds
ous but IL shows, nevertheless the wasteiulness
OF the country In this item.u
NEW YORK HEMP AND FLAX MANUFACTURING CON-
PASY.
The writer visited the works OF the above named
company, which extend from Myrtle avenue to
Fusning distance OF 500 feet. Here he met the
foreman, Mr.. wallace, who furnished him with the
desired information. The highest number en-
ployed in prosperous times is 325-they are now
working 200, and are running on the three-quarter
time system. They hope soon TO increase the
force. The highest wages paid operatives here Is
81 per diem, and the lowest, 81 so. Applications
for employment number as many as fifty per day,
and many OF these men who willing to
work for their board. They hope to be able TO give
employment TO their present force for some time
10 come, and anticipate q favorable reaction early
in the spring.
WHOLESALE DISCHARGE OF WORKNEN.
Republican Commission Ingratitude
20 Poor Voters.
The discharge Of over 400 men by the Board
v.<., 1f nrnn atoIw afsar