New-York tribune., 1875-01-15
DR4WBAChS IN ICE-EiBVESTING

sTGiKE or THE wORKMES ALONG The HUDSON
CHEAP ICE PROMISED by yHE COMPANIES.
The ice harvest began last Saturday. The
cold weather Of the previous few day had placed
the ice field In excellent condition for the cutters the
desired hcknessfrom 10 70 - Understanding been at
tained. There was general movement amoug the ice
men Monday, which day the cutting began. The
Ice OF the best quality, and unless unusual thaw
it will remain about 10 inches thick until the
necessary quantity has been garnered Tie cedeaers
think, however that the weather OF the Winter is set
tied, and that there will be serious thaw Should the
ice be reduced 10 eight inches 1t would still be
thick enough for storage. Ice will be much
cheaper next Summer than 1t was last sea
SON. as tho necessary crop for the supply
OF New-York will gathered ithe Hudson River
and the artificial ponds from which 1t Is usually taken
Last year hearty half OF the ice supplied by the compa
MES ia NewYQIk came from Maine waters, As q con-
sequence the prices in the Spring very high but
the expenses OF transporting from Maine were CORE
spondingly large. AS the companies had ex-
haused the Eastern ice and had begun using that from
the Hudson, the prices lowered so that the re.
duction the cost of the luxury large. But this
year the cost will be reduced much below the lowest
limit last years scale OF prices unless some unlocked
for accident
1The chief drawback to cheap that has yet oceurrsd
is the strike Of the workmen the Hudson Iittle
skilled labor is needed In gathering ioe aud tho prces
paid those usually given TO common laborers last
year the general prices paid 81 rs and % per dav
This year IS is paid for days labor to majority n,
the men, though wages high rs and "a are given
those employed where the skill is needed The
paid every night They receive ticket in the
morning. and during the day. while they are at work
pass them and punch hole In the ticket
OF every at work This is done three times duripp
working hours and night each who presents M.
ticket thus marked three times the overseer
hlo tor tha Aayga lahor
because squad OF men are seldom one place two
days in succession. man at Peekskl to-day may be
90 miles further up the river tomorrow.
The Washington and Knickerbocker Ioe Commands
paid their laborsrs 81 IS Tuesday night There were
then signs Of dissatisfaction among their men, but II
not until the next day that they openly deman ded
increase Of wages The Of other commands Alan
struck for o. 75 and during the day the strike spread
along the river, and nearly all the houses between
Peekskill and Albany affected. Yesterdav
the strike became general, hut the officers were
on the ground and various compromises were nada
President Maoay OF the Washington Ice Company went
self IN communication with all points along the river.
between Athens and Albany. Below that section those
in charge communicated with the ONCE 10 New-York
The officers OF this company believe that they will be
able TO compromise by paying u so per day. They bsye
ordered the superintendents work with smaIIar
gangs OF men, aud 70 discriminate In paying the sborers
have acted In concert and having the companies at
disadvantage the Ice season being Of short duration and
the crop easily perishabe they dnen OF obtain
ing an increase on the wages now paid The compsnie.
Obliged TO aet In concilsory 10 gain their
point for should they immediately refuse increase
expected aud will probably end to tho satsfAot-
Ion OF the companies ss we'll ss to the man Should the
strike continue tho cost TO consumers will be
sAeoted, but II bslievsd that oompremise vtl bo
encoted TO day tomorrow.