New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-14
THE REpUCrOy or LABoRERy WAGES

RrpORf To TIE TAMMANY COMMITTEE OK CRGANl-
| zATIoN-ACTION or THE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS
| CONDEMNED.
| The Tammany Committee on Organization
met on saturd W, and received the report OF the Sub
Committee TO whom referred the investigation % TIE
question the reduction Of wages OF unsled laboies
employed by the various departments OF the city Gov
crncnt. The Subcommittee report that they met COM
mttees OF the workingmen and listened to statements Of
their grievances IL was aficrward deemed advisable to
adaress communications to the heads OF the Departments
of Docks and OF Public Works, asking for the reasons
/ which had caused the reduction Of wages.
From Cen Porter, Commissioner Of Public Works, was
received letter incosing copy OF his communication
TO the Committee Of the Board of Aldermen, which had
sought similar information. This communication was
presented TO the Board Of Aldermen on Thursday, and
has been made public. The Dock Commissioners in their
reply say that the subject of reduction Of the price
paid for skilled and unskled labor forced upon the
| attention Of that and other departments in
consequence of tho general stagnation prevailing
in all branches OF trade and Industry,
which had thrown out Of their accustomed
employment large class OF worthy and industrious
mechanics aud aborers and had put upon the Depart
mont employing labor great pressure for work from
men Of this class. Careful inquiry showed tina, e DC
partments paying higher rate of wages for eight
hours per day than private Establishments were paying
for the same service at ten hours and mat o.
ferng their services at rates much lower than those paid
by the Department. at tue time when the order was
issued fixing the rate OF pay at 20 cents pea hour, the
laborcr3 affected by it expressed willingness 10 con-
tnue, If allowed to work ten hours per day 70 enable
them 10 81 for each days WORK. This request
was granted ard since that time complaints have beel
received by tho Dock Commissioners These com
munca,ions read TO the Committee and after full
discussion it unanimously resolved TO forward 10
these departments communication, strongly urging
THAI the action previously taken DE roonsi,Tei' sd
the STANDARD of wages be restored TO ~ eI day for
fra1 dlk'. xnrl m frtn
communication 70 the Committee siaiing that,
after careful consideration he could not recede from
the acton taken. Tie Commissioners Of Docks also
sent communications setting fOth that after careful
and deliberate consideration, they failed To Had any
good and sufficient Ia convince them that their
action in the premises had been other than the best IN
terosts OF the city would warrant.
The Committee being poYeiless 10 90 anything further
in urging a reconsideration " the action taken by The
oihccrs Of thc City Departments \ only remained
them 10 assign 10 the Committee on Organization the
which influenced them 10 take action in favor Of
restoration Of old scale Of prices. They it is
urged that the RATE 81 per day IN excess OF the wages
PAID by contractors IN the performance OF WORK dGne or
The city In reply 10 this the Committee that in
every employment, public aud private, difference has
always existed between the prices paid Tor labor wien
done by days work and that given ont by contract is
usual in both public and private work to pay the class of
persons employed by the day higher rate than the
their aboers at the lowest possible rate II cannot in
the opinion of the Committee be justly sgod that be
cause The dizziness 0f their trade mechanics and others
of a superior class. who ok employment abOrers
on pubic works should the wages Of such better
class OF laborers Ia be reduced The Committee are %
the opinion that. in view Of the suffering among the
working casse during the PAT Winter aud the present
cost of living. the wages OF llbores III lnbhc employ
should not lie subjected 10 reduction by comparison
with the price, paid under the competition OF me con
adopted for the letting aud execution OF sdch public
work.
sion O. the wisdom jueicc of the law existing and
einng TIC hours of Labor Of mechanics and laoIes;
lOug ii remains III force however, II should he re-
spccted. The Committee IN oonclusion presented the
following rcsoq,io9s az ,helr VIEW
after enyr 70 persuade th boan m 20. ne