The New York herald., 1873-11-01
House Huilders.

- 49,
One OF the largest building firms in the city was
called upon by HERALD reporter yesterday in
reference to the eYecJ OF the financial disturbance
upon that class OF enterprises which gives en-
pl0yment TO 80 large a number OF mechanics and
labOrers This gentleman said his Arm had dis
charged no hands in consequence OF the panic di-
recty, though they were now only actively at work
on one large building for the completion OF which
there is haste. They now only employ some
seventy-fve men, and win probably keep them at
full work all winter II the supply OF requisite
materials continues. He had been informed that
IL was the intention OF the contractors generany
through the city to
on and after to-day, and he did not think the la
borers and mechanics could think OF resistance 10
work, from whom the builders could easily supply
the places OF any who should demur to the reduc-
tion. He thought, too, that 1t was no more than
right that employers should, now that they have
great difficulty in carrying on their operations,
cut down the large prices Of labor to which they
When work Is plenty he says and times good the
mechanics and laborers are very staDch in their
terms,
MAKE THEIR OWN PRICES.
and dictate their own hours and conditions OF
labor, and jealonsy resent any infringement upon
what they consider their rights by the bosses. In
good, lively times IN the building trade the con-
tractor has to be very careful as to what he re-
sour If he should ask any deviation from the terms
prescribed by the unions and associations: and II
II
readily resort TO the striker argument to bring him
to see the value OF their services through their eyes,
Now" said the builder, 1--WE have daily applica-
tions for
EMPLOYMENT AT ANY PRICE
by those who are idle, while our own men have
lost all their dIctatoria airs and willing TO work
In the way most agreeable TO We shall not
probably commence any new jobs while the pres
ent money difficulty continues but shall most
likely keep on through the winter with present
force at such prices as we can afford TO pay. What
action the labor unions will take in reference to
precisely loretold; but from the TACT that there
would be no difficulty in finding plenty OF outsiders
to carry on all the present work 1t Is likely the
unions will attempt no opposition. Now it Is
question OF q reduction or no wages, which at this
tractors cannot pay flush wages, and it is likely
the workmen will see that their interests coincide
with those OF their employers, and all will try TO
make the best they can OF the hard times"
Bad Prospect for the W0rkingmen in
Brooklyn.
The ripple OF the tidal wave OF suspension and
its accompanying disaster has reached the labor
fields OF Brooklyn. The working classes, both
laborers and skilled artisans, have begun to
realize the tact that there exist genuine grounds
for fear to their ability to combat the dictates
OF the wof winter, and its accompanying pri-
vations which howl at their doors. This
state OF facts is daily made more and
more apparent In South Brooklyn, where
there are number of factories OF various kinds
employing thousands OF operatives system OF re-
trenchment has been adopted by the employers
upon as generous ground as is compatible with
their resources. The proprietors Of the factories
have placed their operatives upon half time, en-
ploying them alternate days. In some OF the lac
tories the men were working on three-quar
ter time, while all feel disposed, and
indeed anxious, to relieve the necessities
OF the men by giving employment as lar as their
means will admit. The Worthington steam pump
manuIactory at Red Hook Point has had to reduce
its lorce one half although they have from SIX to
eight months work on hand. The reason Is owing
TO their inability to command currency. 1t is
feared that they will shortly have to suspend work
altogether and this VIII throw several hundred
men out OF emplOyment