The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-29


General Strike Expected ON the yth d
April-Movements OF the Gasmen, tho
Plastcrcrs, Carpenters and Othsr Trade
Societies.
During the last two or three days there has BEEN
a lull In the labor movement-the calm before q
struggle-the bad weather having materially
affected the fixed purposes OF the workngmen, aa
1t has delayed building and business projects I'd
some extent But 1t Is evident that in very snort
time the proposed aud anticipated strike wiz
assume formidable proportions, providing that em1
ployers do not accede to the demands OF the sons
OF toll. sft n Ill 2 ~.f far orato
ON Monday evening next there viii De held q
mass meeting Of the men employed in the night
gangs Of the gas companies and the men belongings
to the day gangs will hold meeting at Constitua
ton Hall, In Third avenue, corner OF Twenty-seo4
ond street. Arrangements or the fullest natura
VIII be made for the proposed strike II It snould
mlttees VIII be appointed with power to wait on
me superlntendents OF the gas companies. These
fuse It is said that general strike
that case on the evening OF that day the greateq
part OF the city win be without gas as was lately
ployers and employees are now ike two kostild
armies the night before battle, watching each
other and lying on their arms 'waiting Tor lalsa
The conference committees of the Amalgamated
carpenters ana the order OIL American Carpenters
who have met the conference committees OF END
ployers have not agreed upon anything definite aa
yet, but on next Thursday 1t is understood sha9
there will be settlement oil some kind, or, IL not,
general strike OF che carpenters Will result on thd
succeeding Monday E rrt sr M J
The plasterers have come to a determination t6
ask for $3.50 day OF eight hours work, and
should those terms net be agreed to they, tits
O general thing holding secret meetings 10 WHICH
none but members and afiiliated persons are adj
mitted. and II the employers do not rive In everY
ar n n NON frik -
OF the tradesmen OF all branches on Monday3
April Z. ttr rr'rtN fF"
The Perils and Compensation OF . Gas.
man.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
In your issue Of Tuesday, the 25th, saw am
article entitled ''Will the Gasmen StrikeY' td
which wish to call your attention, hoping you
will correct the statements your reporter was led
to believe and put before the pubic. The men
have not in any way manifested desire to world
at the reduced wages they are compelled to accept
or be discharged. '"The men do not work incea<
sanity" No man can stand in trent of an open
retort for two hours without certain death; bud
they do work necessarily, except very smartS
skilled workman. .'rhe fremen charge, only onc8
in every two and q hall hours and every two
hours IN the Metropolitan Works. No gang OF mem
can draw and charge three benches in twenty-five
minutes with due regard to their health. 1t would
be suicidal. Then they have the furnaces to clean
out and I'LL up, clean pans and water them beiord
and alter every charge, that slow hand Will
work all the time and not give satisaction-prob3
ably be suspended for q week every month he maY
work. 1t IS silly comparison to put the wages u
downtown clerks on a footing with gasmen. Is tha
pen as heavy to handle as the rake or SCOOP Howl
often do clerks have to take OF their shirts and
wiring the perspiratiOn from it ? How many Of
them die at their work from getting overneated, a9
was the case In the Metropolitan last SUMMED
when they employed unskilled hands to replace
their old menY The increased price OF coal has nOt}
ing TO do with the reduction OF the mems wagesJ
Lvyaru Knnu fhn aV1ta onA phA
to pay fair wages where o man cannot work with
due regard to his health over four days week.
They do not pay equal wages with any other END
pioyers. For instance rOckInen, masOn's laborera
and many others paid 50 SO o day, eight hours3
work. which is So Is for twelve hours. Then the
gasman works one week alternate on night work
Tor So So Other laborers for night work are paid
time and half, which IS SIS 62 Tor twelve hours Al
night. Please insert this and do justice to
AN OLD GASMAN.