Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-04-19
CAPITAL AND LABOR.
Matters Of Moment to Manufactu-
rer and Mechanic. =
The Advance in the Iron ScaIe-The Change
in Figures-views on Both Sides
General Items Of an Indus
trial Nature.

The advance in the scale OF prices, sub
mitted by the Amalgamated Association,
to govern the next year, has been a subject
of general comment in labor circles and the
one topic of discussion among the men.
The particulars have already been publish
ed in our dispatches from Pittsburg, and
have been read by all interested. On Sat-
urday, at the conference, committee from
the Amalgamation submitted a new scale,
with prices considerably in advance OF last
wear. the boiling scale, which is the basis,
having been increased from $3.50 TO $500
on 25 card for iron. The demand, which
is TO 20 into effect on June l, met with yIo-
lent opposition from the manufacturers
and serious difficulty will ensue, should
no modification be made. Pittsburg Will
be the battle ground and the result Will be
accepted in Wheeling. Our men are watch
ing the progress of the negotiations there,
without being able TO take any part.
Manufacturers Views
Yesterday REGISTER commissioner had
q talk with prominent manufacturer, on
the increased demand. 1t was his opinion
that il would never be conceded and that be-
fore June |, the time the new scale goes into
effect. a modification would be made. he
thought the demand altogether uncalled
for and therefore unjust and if persisted
in, he would not be surprised, he said, to
see the mills close down. Between the
state of the market and foreign iron there
is nothing that will warrant the increase
and it is suicide for the men TO ask it.
Another manufacturer said he was posi-
tive the price could not be paid, as THE
trade simply cannot stand IL. The card
rate. az cents for iron, is not adhered to,
and he was satisfied he could buy all he
wanted at pa cents. "In various parts OF
the country manufacturers have been Sc
riously thinking of reducing their produc-
ton BY changing from double to single
turn because stocks are accommodating, and
no prudent man wants to pile up stocks
with pig at SIS, boiling at $500 and every
thing else in proportion when prices have
a decided downward thendency. Other
places both East and West have reduced
the cost of the labor. ! understand that
las been done in Youngstown and the Ma
honing and Shenango Valleys. could not
estimate the reduction. In many cases de-
mands have been made and followed by
compromise and il would be hard to follow
them all. The East is enabled now to pro-
duce iron much more cheaply than either
Pittsburgh or Wheeling
After some talk in relation to the down
ward tendency of iron, he concluded by
SAYING: THE manufacturers feel blue and
depressed. Where they expected good
prices and large sales they have realized
neither. | never saw things so dropping
and dull. The action of the Amalgamated
Association is.very ill.timed. | think if the
manufacturers take all the risk and keep
the mills running at present prices, the
workmen will be getting all that they can
reasonably expect
The scale, so far as submitted, increases
the boilers from $3.50 to 81, and the muck
rollers, who get one-eighth, Will now get 40
cents per ton. A scale for engineers was
submitted. but that will probably be ig-
nored, as there is no regularity in their
pay.