The New York herald., 1873-11-06
LABOR AND TRADE.
The Building Strike Membership Of Trade
Unions Dull Business in Sugar, Oils and
Paints Short Time, Stagnation and Low
Wages Hard Times in Brooklyn.

1t was generally expected that yesterday the
election being over and the country conscientiously
saved, as far a. the individual or combined
EFFORTS OF the workingmen could DO, the striking
bricklayers would be seen vigorously welding
their trowels as before the little unpleasantness
between them and the bosses. These latter met
on election night and resolved to stand nrm Dy the
wages reduction which they had agreed to last
week. morning paper stated that the brick
layers had been successful in enforcing their
claims, and most OF the contractors had put the
men to work at the old rate Yet
when the HERALD reporter met the build
ers on 'Change they denounced that asser-
ton as incorrect. They said that they had
full confidence in the return OF the brcklayers and
laborers to work under the new rates OF wages
They admitted that some half dozen small Jobs
had kept the men by agreeing to pay the old rates.
while others, such as the Western Union Telegraph
ofice and the Tribune ONCE, had no men at work.
Employers expressed the opinion that they could
soon go on with full supply OF labor outside the
trade societies, and there seemed no inclination to
court the strikers back. The wish OF the contrac-
tors obviously IS to weaken the societies, and in
the end to restore the old system OF requiring ten
hours work Tor days wages
THE BRICKLAYERs IN COUNCIL.
At their rooms, Seventh avenue and Twenty
several lodges was in session through the day.
From the sentiment which obtained among the
members it was apparent that no idea is enter
tanned OF making any terms with the bosses other
than those which have been In use during the last
two years. They claim that there is no reason in
the profession OF the bosses that their action
is intended to stimulate building another
year. 'If that had been their object" say the
strikers, why did they not resolve to consult us
upon putting down wages next sprlngr They
fail to how the retention or fifty cents per day
from mechanics and laborers wages in the con-
tractors pocket, instead or paying 1t to the men
with families to support, VIII reduce the cost OF
building or foster the trade.
CONTRACTORS GET RICH.
Citations were made OF scores OF contractors
who, by following the trade a few years, have
risen from the position Of penniess journeymen to
comparative wealth. According to the plan OF
business as understood by the society men, the
bosses estimate the cost Of materials and labor
add to 1T liberal commission to cover
the builders salaries and fair profit over and
above the expenses, and make this calculation the
basis OF their contracts. They are in effect recev
ing from the owners OF property sums based upon
the rates of wages fixed for the year. No devia
ton from these prices has been attempted by the
bricklayers, but they charge that the bosses have
broken the compact and are really only attempt
ing to take hard advantage OF the workmen on
the verge of winter when it is most important for
every man to earn the utmost cent for the sup
port and comfort OF his family.
NUMBER OF MEN IN TRADES UNIONS.
A HERALD reporter has made diligent inquiries
in regard to the number OF workingmen embraced
in the several trade organizations In the CITY, and
the results are embraced in the following estl-
mates. which are derived from the most reliable
SOurceS:-