Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-06-08
The Folly and Stupidity Of Strikers.
Chi Tribune.

1nere are just at this Time TWO strikes
in this city which are remarkable be-
cause of the absence of some of the
usual and ordinary circumstances at
tending such proceedings.
The first Of these strikes is that of
the tanners and other workmen en-
gagged in the tanning establishments
of this city. These yards employ a
force of men who are classed as beam
ers. whose business is to handle the
hides and stretch them over beams.
This work, though requiring unpleasant
labor, cannot be considered skilled
labor in any sense. 1t may require
some strength and endurance, but not
more than is necessary in countless
other employing nts which among work
men are classed as common labor.
Twese men have been paid at the rate
of 81 per week, and made application
for an addition of 81 per week. This
request the employers declined for
various reasons, among others that the
wages asked were in excess of those
paid in other and competing tarneries
that the trade was dull, and that the
establishments were provided with
such ample stock that they could close
their works with profit were it not that
it would require the dismissal of their
workmen of various grades. Where
upon the beamers struck-that is,
walked out of tue tanneries. The
Tanners "Union" thereupon notified
the proprietors that if the wages of the
beamers were not increased as demand
ed, then the whole body of tanners
would quit work. This notice was
promptly answered by statement that
the owners of the tannery
denied the right of interference
in their business, and further
gave notice that they would not
employ any union men hereafter. The
tanners thereupon abandoned work,
snd the several large establishments in
the city are closed, the others being at
this time, however disposed to do so,
unable because of business com piica-
tons.
The number of mechanics on strike
is about 400. The wages of the beam
ers are 81 per week, and the wages of
the others according to the character
of their work, range from $12 to $25 per
week.
Here is strike by a body of skilled
workmen, not for an increase OF wages,
nor because of any reduction of wages,
nor because of any disagreement about
hours or rules, nor because of any
grievance of their own, but because of
a sentimental and sympathetic feeling
for another class of workmen. The
union interposed the demand that the
wages Of the beamers should be in.
creased, and when that was refused the
union ordered strike, not on their
own account, but on account of the
beamers.
Last fall the manufacturers of bricks,
under the extraordinary demand and
in order to expedite their business, in
creased the wages of their wolkmen
temporarily to cover the balance of the
season. At the opening of the present
season the employers offered the wages
that were paid last year before the
extra" allowance that was added dur
ing the squirt, but the men refused to
go to work at that rate, demanding the
extraordinary rates paid at the close of
last year. The wages now demanded
are graded, the highes. being $50 per
day. Brickmakers work according to
''stint," q certain number of bricks
being "day's work" The men go to
work at seven q. M, stopping twice for
lunch, ard finish their days work at
noon. The demand being refused, the
workmen have ever since been on a
strike. The difference in wages upon
which the disagreement exists is about
80 cents day.
All the old bricks in the city COM
mand 81 per thousand, and there are
none to sell. New bricks from the out
side cannot be laid down here at pres
ent for less than $l1 per thousand, but
the manufacturers have made con
tracts for all they can produce at IS,
and builders have made contracts based
on that price. The result OF the brick
makers strike extends to the carpenters,
brickmasons, TO the planning mills, to
the sash and door makers, to the stair
builders, to all branches of the trade
in building materials, and to the deal
ers III lime and cement, and to thous-
ands of laborers and teamsters. 1t in
cludes in the suspension of business all
the mechanics and laborers employed
in building, who are all thrown out OF
of work, waiting for the bricks.
A consequence OF the strike, therefore,
is the loss of wages to the thous-
ands of persons whose employment is
suspended by the vain effort to compel
the manufacturers of brick to go on
with their production at large daily
loss-a loss which they can avoid by
simply letting their yards remain idle.
Including the workmen ofall kinds,
skilled mechanics, laborers, teansters,
and others whose employment has been
practically suspended, and whose wages
have been stopped by reason Of the
brick mako r's strike, the total number
is estir Iated at $4,000. Estimating the
wages of these as averaging e per day
each, and there is loss III daily wages
of $2S, 900, or sl96. 600 per week. This
suspension of this wages fund has now
been practically in operation since the
LIST of May, and half-milion of dol