, 1874-02-21
noticed tlat two other artisans with white hair
and boards had their benches close By, and to
tho trio Of patriarchs ha addressed himself thus

WANT EQGU 6IDE-
Kcporter-1 came to get your aide OF the story
concerning the labor difficulty ..
He Was answered in about equal proportions
By each Of the old men. who agreed in saying
that the issue Was, whether, after they earned
their money, they could spead it to suit them
Selves It was not question Of wages at all,
but one involving q maus right to do what he
liked with lis own money. Said one:
II have lived in this world good many years,
and have borne many things, but will not
bear that any man shall dictate to me IS to how
shall use my money, 30 long as I break no law
in using it.''
Said second patriarch: "Why, eron the pris-
onors at Joliet, when they earn few cents which
thoy can call their own, are allowed to spend it
az they please"
our masters what We shall do with our earnings"
All Joined IN saying that no strike was eonteul-
plated or intended, though it was the general
feeling that wages we're far too low. -
WEEKLY EARNINGS,
The reporter inquired how much they could
earn at tho present rates, and was told that it
Was large average weeks work for two men to
bottom and trim five cases Of stoga boots,
amounting to $22.50, or SLIPS per man. The
average, thoy said, fell far below these figures.
One man showed his account book, by which 1T
appeared that h4s earnings, since tho 2Gth OF
November. had ranged from ss.75 to ss per
week, aud he had gray haira, and = family to
support. The trouble was, not that he was not
m average workman, but that he had not had all
the work he could do. All were anxious that
these statements should be given 10 TIE Tn1H-
usE, in order that they might not be misjudged.
It was stated that the Crisplns had nothing to
do with the present deadlock, and TINT all con-
tributions to tho support Of the strikers we're
voluntary.
The reporter asked whether the SUCCESS Of the
strikers would not result in establishing equal
rates in ali the shops, but no one answered the
question. It waa evidently point On which no
one desired to commit himself.
0oIDMAN's FACTORY.
The next factory visited was that OF Philip
Goldman, IS Randolph street. About two years
workmon, who We're CEspins, and SINCE then he
has employed nono Of the Society, His men
were found to be busy at work, Us If they we're
entirely ignorant Of tho fact that several hun
employment. Not being crispins, Of course
they could say nothing about the latter's strike.
but expressed themselves as satisfied with the
present arrangement OF affairs. The fore
man Of the factory, Mr.. Weston, stated
that his men seemed perfectly con-
SO day Mr. Weston said he had been in the
business for great number OF years, and he
had almost invariably noticed that strikes were
brought about BY the arrogance and unrcasona-
bleness Of the CriHpins.
For the aamo reason that printers call those
who do not belong to thoi1 81 Union' "rats," 80
the Crispius call the shoemakers outside of their
Society 1tscabs." Having interviewed factory
of these euphoniously named q bottomers," the
reporter then went to three or four other facto-
gain but little information from the
men, as they were evidently afraid to
speak out before their bosses, but one or two Of
them quietly told him to 20 to the lodge Of the
Society, and there he could gain the desired in
formation.
The headquarters of the Society are in Rice's
Block Nos. II and 70 Dearborn street. They
occupy Room 20, which is situated on the upper
loor in the rear. On entering, one finds oneself
n . large room, the main body OF which is oc-
,upied bT about $50 chairs arranged facing the
Speakers desk. About tho room arc placed vari-
Jus articles Of furniture peculiar to the Society
md in the corner OF the room diagonally OPP
,osito the entrance is = large table, around
which the reporter found several men playing
ards and smoking.
SLIGHT MISTAKE.
On making known his errend, the mon drew
,ack and said that "a old Storey" had never given
hem fair chance. In some manner, very dis
asteful to the reporter, he had been mistaken
or an emissary OF that sheet. Wishing to stand
q the good opinion OF the followers of st. Crs-
lin, it was quickly made clear to those present
hat tho reporter was from The TnIDuxE, aud
hat he wished to get from them their side,
nd to learn whnt were their grievances. AS the
ociety does not hold q meeting till Saturday
,ight they were unprepnrcd to speak officially, |
'ut were willing to state their opinions as indi
iduals. |
THEIR STATEMENTS
They Bay that the trouble begnn last Noyem-
er, when they were forced into working for 81 |
Ld in December, but were beaten, and had to
o back to work. The men in Doggctt, Bassctt !
i; Hills struck because tho foreman, Mcfarland,
nut down the price Of fno kip work to $3.50.
Ehich they would mot stand, and ut first only
time it was thought best for them au to leave,
;hich they did. When the 'bosses" (meauing
he manufacturers) found that the strikers were
Ioldiug out, they resolved to make B flank move
aent on them BY Offering to raise the price OF !
ledge himself not to render MD to any strikers.
his they would not stand. for when they had
armed their money they were entitled to !
pend it aa they pleased. The speak
III we're here interrupted by some
ew,eomera and advised not to say
lety to THE Tn1puSE Office in the evening, and
here speak for them.
As these newcomers were evidently persons |
authority, their advice WAS needed, and, Oh
10 understanding that the official would be sent
, the cftice, the reporter left.
Last evening the gentleman came at the ap-
ointed ti1no, and mado the following state
lent: "The men were entirely taken By sur
rise; they had intended to make no gen.
al ), strike. The strike is not one direct
! by the Lodge Of Crispins. The one
, Milwaukee is, but the present one is not.
he report that tho presiding officer OF tho
odge has been paid $4,000 By selz l. Co. to
ring on tue strike, is without any foundation.
he men have boon working on th1ec-quarters'
me, but even if they could ten hours work
,ch day, the best workmen could got not mako
lore than $3.50 week. All the men ask s to
et last years. prices Another cause Of COM
aint ia in quality Of wages paid to different
asses Of work1nen. 4 cutter can make from
Is to 435 woek, foreman from $40 to SIS
~, while the bottomer gets from S. to $14 week.
he difference in the skill required in these
lrec departments does not warrant any such
ference Ia pay. Tho official concluded Dy
IyiDg that the men were resolved never to
,ree to the demands Of the manufacturers, and
|at very likely the young men would 60 East,
Lose who could would go into custom-ehops,
I'd the rest 60 to labor1ng.
The statement made in yesterdays TnInuEK,
at three worknen in c. N. Henderson's factory
coded to the demands Of the manufacturers,
as incorrect They we're employed By Wells
Co.
When Mrs. Free, Of Indiana, married she
hail tfr ft, |