The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-12-31
THE SHUT DOWN.
FwerHousANo MEN OUT oFwoak.
AW.lk Market the CGass-SterstSry Weeks Talks,
Glass Workers Not ed Of GRsduetiOR-rhs
Kick OF the Coal Operators on the
AuArd-Gtn.ral Labor Notes.

All the nail factories belonging to th,
Western Association shut down on Satur
day. These mills number SO, and by thei
stoppage for six weeks 5000 men are rem
dered idle for that period. The six weeks
stoppage was agreed upon on December 10
to go into effect December 20. The shu
down was considered necessary in order tc
regulate the supply. There is not an over
production, according to reports from the
mills, but prior TO the resolution to stoE
the machines the market WAS very week
The condition Of the iron trade seemed tC
warrant the stoppage, as buyers were wait
ing ior still lower prices The mills in
Wheeling and vicinity affected by the or
der number Z, exclusive OF those at Bril-
liant, Mingo and Steubenville, which are
considered Wheeling concerns, and in
crease the number to 10.
SECRETARY WEEKS TALKS.
MIR. Joseph D. Weeks, Secretary Of the
Association, in speaking Of the nail trade at
Pittsburgh Saturday, said: "slnce the order
by the Western Association to stop the nail
machines for period Of six wet ks passed,
prices have stifTened. There is a stronger
feeling among the buyers. The regular
rate, $3.50, with the percentage, is now
strictly adhered to. There are no large
stocks on hand at the factories, but what is
will soon be disposed OF. The nail business
is the only one that is in fair way to-day.
The combination OF the nail producers has
the effect OF restricting the supply. The
stop does not increase the capacity, as it
does in many other branches of trade. All
the nail machines in the country to-day
we're in operation, and are fully equal 10
supply all the demand. The shut down is
to regulate the supply. The old adsge Of
unrestricted demand, unrestricted supply,
is happily done away with by the producers
combining together to govern moderate
demand by moderate supply. No more
capital is going into the business, as there
is no demand for 1t. You don't hear OF
new nail flCtories starting anywhere
through the country, because there are
ample facilities now to supply all the nails
that are needed. II all the producers in
different branches OF trade would combine
to restrict the production better prices
would be maintained and steadier employ
meit 10 the laboriug classes"
- RUMoRED REBELLION.
The following special from steubenville
appeared in Cincinnati paper yesterday:
"The Jefferson Iron Works, OF Steuben-
vile, and Spaulding Iron Works, OF Brill
liant, nail mRnuf Icturers, will not shut
down, ss ordered by the Western Nail AS.
sociation. The Jefferson belongs to the
association, and its action is the first re.
bellion in the history OF the association" :"
This report, at least as it regards the Je!-
.fsrson mill, might be regarded as doubtful,
but for the fact that both the Sleubenville
papers OF Saturday make substantially the
same statement. They tay the Mingo mil
will stop according to agreement.
A prominent manufacturer OF this city
was asked what he thought about the re-
port last evening, and he said he had heard
nothing OF it, and did not believe it. An
effort was made to reach Sleubenville by
telegraph or telephone to learn the truth
officially, but both means failed.
WHAT THE woRKNEN sAY.
A well-known mailer who was asked
about the shut down yesterday responded !:
"oh, we are not in a position to kick very
hard II we wanted to, 1t 10 great deal
better than q cut down in the scale. l
guess the truth is, half the boys will be
glad to loaf. Some Of them will be disap.
pointed, as they inferred from the counter
manding OF the last order to shut down
that they would get long and steady run.
But guess they can I'll stand 1t without
much kicking"