New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-28
A MASTER TAILOR EXPLAINS HIS HIGH PRICES
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

A MASTER TAILOR EXPLAINS HIS HIGH PRICES
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
SIR: While the relations between employ
Of labor aud employees are at present being 40
lively discussed especially by your paper. with view
to allevating much possible the expected hard
ships OF the working people during the coming Winter
1T may not be iuoppoUune moment TO direct atten-
ton class Of workmen whose system Of pay is bus
very little understood by the general public and regard
ing which there may be something TO behalf Of
the employer. refer to journeymen taors who make
fne custom work. 1t is the constant complaint OF our
that the prices for fine clothing made TO order
altogether too high and inconsistent with the
duced values Of the times. They tell gold Ia lower,
while prices continue to higher, ana attribute
the advance TO an increased profit demanded By the tailor
While 1t is only too that prices high
and that rstclass suit cannot be purchased for less
than t75 to 800 more, profits have really
growing less and the number Of master taors OF
good standing In New-York who derive than
living income from their business be counted on tho
fingers OF one hand.
The real OF this is the exorbitant demands peri
odcay aud systematically made by and It may
surprise many to know that the dictate TO the mas
control the cost OF making our work This Is cone
by combination known as the "Journeymen Iaiors
society," the nrst stage OF which Is called the shops
meeting as no good work can be had outside OF the SO
eiety This ls an Institution a,aehed 20 every nfs
night to compare ther books, IN which the Society re-
price paid for IT, so that we must pay all alike whether 10
strate hand or 10 the Nerest snOb at ns trade III any
two men dissatisfied, they apply 10 the Central
Body" for permission 10 demand Increase, wnCh is
refused IL Body" assured II will be ul-
necessary for the 10 out on strike and fall back
them for support until they get IT, These men earn
from s95 to much $50 week where they have tho
assistance OF their families aud sats1ed YET
they will work for readymade and second class houses ~
whatever they choose to give them. Their stem Is 10
advance the bill of every shop at least once year.
and having put Joness bill up ~ ~ per cent wlo e
cannot afford To suspend his business ana gh SO
thoroughly organized monopoly slnge-hsnded. they
the advance Jones lever Smith, who sec
ing his competitor Obliged 10 yield submits 10 the de
mand aud thus they 40 tnrough the whole nrst-cJss
trade, at time ana once year, 90 that garuons
which cost IS 10 $40 TO make few years ago now oo~s
SIS to sis aud an overcoat costs nj the present tune ~
~ $50 Tor workmanship alone This Is the experience ~
every house In the trade, and there u not one Du w
tell You the sory-;hat their prices have Dew,
forced upward and their legitimate profits encrOaens
upon by the continual and unreasonable demands OF s
jOurneymen The fall In gold Ia more than counteros.
woolens In England which the only goods, Oy .'ss
OF the superior taste displayed IN their designs ana '"o
better quality, tnat We are able 10 use
IL 10 not time that the master tai0rs OF New fore oo
bned their part To reuuce the enormous COST OF h
ing up ther work club formed some TWO yeais
for this purpose, but Tor want Oh uhsuim3 nV'u
has done VIII they continue passive ana inert ~
heretofore, submitting 10 the continual "a
advancing their prices ana driylng thelr clssomvis
London, where they can get their clotnes 10. na,, ~
prce OR Will they by concentrated action protect tho
selves aud promote tne interests Sl tue easto,s ~i
give "A weeks notice to their workmen that recucos
Will the present rates the pSlce VI eoDs
be reduced al once.
Netr York. Nov ~ is'a