The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-02-21
Puddlsrs' Grievance.

SPhlNGfItLD, ILL., - lot T.
We have received lengthy coiamuui-
cation from Thomas Mclaughlin, 81 ring
field, Illinois, under the above date Its
extreme length and crowded state Of our
columns prevents us from giving it in full.
Mr. NJ evidently thinks he has been
grossly wronged by the Puddlers' Union,
and requests a space IN the columns Of the
ADVOCATE to speak III his own defence.
He states that in 1869 he was in rhe employ
Of the Chicago Iron Company. That a
man was employed to carry away cobbles
left at the squeesor, not carried away by
the puddler or helper while hot. 1t was
supposed by the men that this was done to
ascertain the exact waste Ct the pig metal.
These cobbles were thrown in a heap
in the yard, and from his letter it
appears to have been a common practice
among the men to use the cobbles in their
heats to make up their weight. He further
states that on the last Friday night in
April, puddler told him the boss wanted
him (thc MANI to work that night opposite
to -. D. 10 see if he could work any.
Furnaces Nos. 2 and we're turned down,
and the men would not work opposite
J. D., notwithstanding the men VINO re-
fused to work with J. D., we're the men
who supported his election to the Puddler
Union. He (McLaughlin) was opposed t.
his election, but as he was elected he would
work that night opposite to him, and would
not allow any man, except a standing-turn-
man, to work an overturn at his furnace.
That night, one Of the laborers brought a
barrow load Of these cobbles and dumped
them behind him ON the stand, though he
states he told him not to do it. They were
used by anyone that wanted them. When
dropping my fourth heat, laborer called
the attention Of the Waterman to the
cObbles, but no more was said about them.
1t appears that in consequence, tive
puddlers, who charged an old, half sque zed
ball in their first heat, a roll was broke,
and on account Of this Mr.. Mel. and seven
others we're called to the office, paid what
was coming to them, and discharged. Two
Of the men hearing Of the circumstance
went to the office and agreed that We
should remain idle fifteen days, and theT
return to work under compliment. This
they refused to do, claiming they were
discharged for breaking the roll, and moi
for working the cobbles, and If this wa
sufficient cause to be discharged they haC
nothing to say; but II it was not, they haC
no right to be idle. A meeting Of the meI
in the mill was called, and it was unanimously
carried that the fault was not sufficient t,
cause discharge. He charges the Crane
Master with publishing falsehoods in tn,
record He alleges that the men in Reese
Mill, Of different nationality, we're warned
to expel him charges the leaders of th'
Union with various niisdeme anors claim
his chaIa ter is unimpeachable, and chal
lenges an investigation. In closing hi
letter he says Il was damped by tn,
puddlers on the I'd of October, 1873.
notified the President Of the Puddlers
Union twice the day the hampers wen
down, and once demanded an answer
since half OF the puddlers here did no
know the hampers were going down, ar
when they were down they could not nm
out what for. The president did not an
swer me. am in hopes there will b
whitemen enough at the convention thi
year, to be held in Youngstown, Ohio, t
open the door for another white man .
hear truth. The puddlers here got tn
superinten lent to discharge me. ] 81
planned the matter to hun, and he told m
to go and work at anything ] could get i
the mill, and see it through. | am laborin
since, and it in my opinion the puddle1
here think | am black, as there are sewers
jobs in the rail mill can do, but | am con
-
the unnatural implements called the PIC
and spade, while there is workingman
journal and white men in America. l her
challenge the leaders Of the Puddler
Union out before the public, or order theI
to throw up the sponge. II don't get fa
play nsxt August, I viii take the Puddisr