, 1874-03-01
THE CRISPlNS' STRIKE.
The Shoemakers vs.. The Man.
ufactureTs-
Statement in Behalf OF the
Former.

/
! 10 the Editor Of Tie Chicago Tribune:
61a: notice in your isspo OF the 25th inst.
comm unication purporting to be FROM dis
! Interested party--to which claim I take excep
tion-on the present disagreement existing il
this city between the boot aud shoe 1nanufac-
turers and their workmen. I take the above
mentioned exception on the ground that can
not imagine how more ultra views cou1dbe taka1
BY the most special p1eaders from the manu-
facturers' standpoint. Ipass over the gentlemant
expressions Of anxiety for the suffering interests
OF Chicago, because I think Chicago is dbun-
dantly able to take care OF herself. The writer
though not at present working at the business
has worked at boot~mak1ng in the city for the
last fifteen years, and should be entitled to
claim some knowledge Of that Of which he
writes. cannot pretend to deny that my sym.
pathies ere with the workingmen, the justice of
whose claims will be evident to any impartial
minds upon ap examination OF the fscts not
Mr, Booths facts).
It is unnecessary to recapitulate the causes
which led to the strike and consequent lockout,
only insofar they will eluci3xte the incorrect
ness Of Mr. Booths statement
AS TO THE 14uE
Whe0 the manufacturers formed their Union.
The strike originated IN q difference per Case at
which 3 certain grade Of boots was rated in
Doggett Bassett d. Hill's chop, and some Of the
other factories. Doggetts men claimed that q
higher price Was paid in other places, which the
foreman would not credit without positive proof.
He made inquiries IN The shops indicated. ascer~
tanned the facts, and the result Of his visit was
that these shops cut down tho prices, to his
standard. This tool1 place before any strike oc-
cured. Is any better evidence needed to show
that tho Manufacturer Union was formed
previous to this time?
The BhoeE2akers do not deny the right Of tho
manufacturers to form a Protective Union, and
cannot understand Why this gentleman should
constitute himself their apologist for 20 doing.
They are not quite 80 inconsistent as Mr. Booth
who, in speaking Of the interests Of Chicago,
regards the whole as greater than part, but
cannot see how the interests Of 800 mon-1. 900
he has lt-can be greater than the interests Of
Tu1nTY-R11,
probably tho number constituting the nine prin-
cipal firms Of this city. The gentleman is ovi-
IDENTITY 3 heto-Horshiper; but, unlike his
prophet, Thomas Carlyle. he does not think the
time has arrived yes-as though it were ever too
soon to do right--for the treatment Of working
men in tho manner he, Carlyle, SO highly
commenda slr J. Wbitworth for doing
ter was printed in last Sundays TRIBUNE, and is
well worthy tho attention Of every man who re-
CARDS the adjustment Of tho couf1ict between
Capital aud Labor as tho mos. momcutous ques-
ton now commanding tho attention Of the civll-
ized world.
Let US inquire into the truth Of tho allegation
whether the boot snd anoe manufacture Of Chi
cago
IS BEBor1rAn1R ca NOT,
and, as corollary OF this, the same manufac-
ture OF the entire Northwest Mr. McFarlane,
advantageous insofar ns it enables US to soil q
class Of goods upon which We mako
large profit" . Is not this sabsta1,s
tial advantage; that i, in the
interest Of the manufacturers? We're not that
enough to show the fatlacy Of Mr. Booths state
raent, how does it happen that all these houses
are waxing stronger annually, until they are
among the strongest houses in tie cty7 How is
it That only those who do manufacture are the
ones who do not 80 to the wall 7 Why should q
wholesale importer, having IN extensive trade,
commence manufacturing, as two OF the princi-
pal firms In that line have done ainco the Fue, il
there wero NO advantages in it7 Simply to pre-
servo themselves from going to the wall, as
others have done. Gould tn exclusively
manufacturing house have maintained
both the manufacturers East aud the
houses of this city,
as was done up to the Great Fire, il there were
no profits in it7 The entire Northwest are pay
ing last YEARS prices, excepting Milwaukee, and,
when our suburban towns OF St. Louis, St. Paul,
st. Peter, Cleveland, Detroit, Lafayette, and
Cincinnati CAD compete With the East saccessfal-
y, ana pay Last Yeafs pr1ces' cn'caeo must 90 30
or so to the WALL
ANOTHER ADVANTAGE
IN nome-manu1aclut1ng1 Is tho ability 10 MI snau
oEdefs OF unnsnal styles, "hlch can oniy oeo cone
at home snccessfn1ly. But the chief advantage
y, l. the check It mas over Eastern manufacturers.
They kno" that ~ the appnances 1or
the production Of boots aud shoes exist
hero IN Chicago. There are large fac-
tor.es the men here have not near sseady
emplosnent; tne supervisory ablhtJ constantly
Is sufficient for ten times the actual
production ; .and, Is a natural consequence, the
Laftern man snccnnabs 70 the pressure, the poor
Etsteln workman pays the piper. and tue West
eln aafmer dances 10 tne 1one IN = pa1f OF aaoddy
oo0ts. ;D ..
Iha only real question 1t 1870 heEWsen the
employers anu employed 1s
~ THAT OF FR!cEe,
DeinR only ao CENTS per case, making ABOUT
cenIs o'nefence on IL palI OF ooots. amounting
1o LUG SUN " @A,1oo. assuming 1uo average
ahnual y pfoducHon "a sciy nien one) OF each OF
Tue shops TO be =, eoo cases. and that eoch OF the
afms consists OF 1oof e persons. tn'a Will make
dlnelence OF only Sooo 70 eaeh one'-a nero
oagalene 20 mem whose annual nuslness