The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-04-20
MIL TROURLRN.
Strikes Inauguratel ut the Top
Mill.

| 80 ~---~~Hll - -
Mill.
The mill men in this vicinity were
greatly excited yesterday over the rumOrs
Of strikes at the Top Mill, The first
strike was that Of the helpers at the Top
Mill, about 100 in number, who refused
TO work at reduction in their wages OF
from 50 90 to 81 s3l cents per day. 1t
was generally expected by the strikers
that the other helpers in the city would
go out, a. the reduction was general. Over
400 helpers are employed in the four
mills here, and general lockout was
anticipated. So far rs our information
extends, however, the helpers ut the
other mills are still at work,
The wheelers for the shearers at the
Top Mill, FIVE in number, also INDUCED
in q little strike against q reduction in
their wages, Their demands were acceed-
ed to, and they returned to work.
THE FEEDERS.
The feeders at the Top Mill have had
strike in consideration for at least a
month. Yesterday they decided to strike,
and accordingly eighty out Of the one
hundred and six employed there went out.
They have heretofore received One.half
Of the amount realized by the mailer from
their machines, and struck for three
fifths.
That everybody may understand the
case, we will explain. Each mailer has
four feeders, who cut on an average each
eighteen kegs OF l0-pcnny nails. The
feeders therefore receive about 81 80 per
day each, while the mailer has 81 90,
The increase asked for would put up the
price received by the feeders to l24 cents
per key for lO-penny nails, and other sizes
cOrrespondingly,
The number Of feeders employed in
the four mills in this city is as follows:
Top Mill, LOG; Belmont, ITO; Riverside,
l26; La Belle, 100. Heretofore the
prices paid for hot nails has been us fol-
lows: G.penny, 81 cents per keg; 7-Penny
lGl cents per key; S-penny, 10! cents per
kcg; lO-penny, lOl cents per key. The
average days work for 6-penny nails Is
eight kegs, 7.penny 10 kegs, S.penny y
kegs, and lO.penny Is kegs, The nails
are made as high as G0.pCnny, and the
prices vary in about the same ratio rs the
above. The cold nails are generally cut
by boys, who average about 81 20 per
day.
The lO.pcnny nail is considered the
standard nail, and the increase asked for
would give the feeders an average Of
81 % per day-lSkegs at l24 cents per
key.
MEETING OF FEEDERS LAST NIGHT.
A committee Of the Top Mill feeders
visited the other mills in the afternoon
and informed all the feedcrsO the course
they had taken, and asked them TO also
90 out. 1t was decided to hold meeting
In the evening In the old City Hall, and
call to that effect was published in the
Standard. About 200 feeders assembled
in the hall in the evening, the majority Of
whom were from the Top Mill, Geo,
Gundling, ofthe Top Mil, was called to
the chair, Peter Mccain, Of the La
Belle, was chosen Vice President, and
Peter Costello, Of the Belmont, acted as
Secretary.
II was evident from the beginning that
there were very few present who were
opposed to the strike, Mr.. Thomas, Of
the La Belle, spoke against It, saying that
the La Belle feeders who were present
had been requested by their fellow work.
men to oppose the movement. lie was
followed by Mr., Shields, who was in favor
Of the strike. Several other speeches
were made in favor OF the proposed strike,
after which the feeders from the different
mills consulted together Us to their course
On motion of John Belville, the River.
side feeders unanimously agreed to go
out upon the strike.
The Belmont and La Belle feeders de.
cided to work to-day, and hold meetings
tonight to decide upon their action in
the premises.
Just before the meeting adjourned the
sentiments Of those present were taken by
u vote, which was unanimously in favor
Of the proposed strike.