Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-04-14
The Causes of Strikes.
Ne1o York Times.

A dispatch from C0hOes, N. T., an
nounces that strike is threatened by
the employees of the Harmony Mills, in
that place, on account of a reduction of
10 per cent. in their wages. Strikes
among mill operatives are very prevalent
all over the Eastern States A Times re-
porter yesterday talked with several mer
chants in regard to these labor agitations
and their cause. Mr.. Bliss, of Bliss,
Fabyan & Co., said that no trouble had
been experienced in the cotton mills
represented by that firm. No reduction
of wages had been made in any of the
cotton mills, 80 far as he had heard and
there had been no strikes. The cotton
products of the country, Mr.. Bliss
added, were largely sold up, and the
export demand, especially for heavy
goods, was so great that they were sold
months in advance. This being the case
there was nc great accumulation of cot
ton goods 10 the hands OF manufactu-
rers, and no thought of reducing the
wages Of operatives on these goods had
been suggested or entertained. The mar
ket was somewhat uneven, but the sales
had been larger for the last three months
than for the corresponding months for
some years past. Mr.. Townsend, of the
firm of Townsend & Yale, could give no
reason for the strikes so often occurring
among the mill operatives, except that
the men wanted more money for their
labor. "They see the mills running to
their full capacity" he said, and they
imagine that the profits of the manufac-
turers are enormous, and that they do
not get their share" The trade,
norunOand coid OF vboA -
always was at this season of the year.
People at this time were always COM
planning that business was dull, and it
was not so rushing as at some other
times, but still the condition of the trade
was healthy, and as good business had
been done this season as during any
spring for two years past. Goods were
selling fairly well, but the manufacturers
were not rushing the production, and a
fair quantity of goods was held in stock.
In Mr.. Townsend's opinion, it was a
very poor time for the operatives of mills
to strike, aud were any strike to be in
augurated in the mills represented by his
firm, they would very likely shut down
for time, as there were goods enough
on hand to meet any probable demand
for some time to come.
James Talcott attributed the strikes
chiefly to a growing demand on the part
of the public for a better quality of
goods than has for years been given in
exchange for its money. "The fact is"
said Mr.. Talcott, "the days of shoddy
and trash are past. The cOuntryis pros
porous, the people are wealthy, and they
want better goods than those which used
to satisfy them. An honest manufactu-
rer who keeps up to the times, with new
machinery and efficient workmen, and
gives an honest piece of goods for an
honest dollar, will make money enough
to pay his hands fair wages, and there
will be no strike in his establishment.
The man who lags behind the times and
depends on old machinery to do his
work will find that there is small demand
for his goods, and if he sells them at all.
he must do so at reduced price. OF
course, in that case he must reduce the
wages Of the operatives in order to swim
at all, and then comes the strike. The
end will be that the manufacturers will
have to produce the goods which the
public wants or get out of the business.
As an instance of the working of this
principle, take the bingham which is
now produced in such great quantities.
1t is much finer quality of goods than
prints, with which the people were con-
tented for so many years. Now that more
money is in the hands of the masses they
demand this gingham, and the result is
that the price of prints has fallen to such |
an extent that in order to make any profit |
at all manufacturers have to figure very |
close. OF course, the wages of the opera |
tives is one great factor of the expense |
of production, and these are cut to the |
lowest practicable figure. Then comes
the strike, with the attendant suffer |
ing to the men participating in |
it. Another result of the advance of |
taste and the ability to crafty it in the
masses is the accumulation of great |
deal of cheap shoddy stuff in the hands
of manufacturers. Business in prints |
and goods Of that description has been |
little off this season, and the conse-
quence is that in order to sell at all |
holders must sacrifice something in
price. AL this makes it necessary to re-