Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1883-03-04
Is the Country on the Eve OF a
Business Rsyiyal7--A Talk
on the Subject.
The Tariff lII-.Prospectiya Strike
--Iarrett's Retirement New
Scale of Wages.

firms were connected with the unpleasant
words failure, assignment, foreclosure, etc.
The heaviest firm concerning which these
rumors were circulated is that Of Jones &c
Laughlin, one of the largest establish nents
in the city, employing not less than 5000
men at its works, and upon which as many
more depend in the various branches OF
industry furnishing their supplies. The
failure of this firm would be
Calamity I'm Itself.
and as il would doubtless cause the collapse
ofmany sma ller concerns, thereports caused
the greatest alarm among the workmen
VINO saw prospective shut down ahead,
and the capitalists who saw financial
wreck" written before them. Happily,
the report was promptly denied and full
assurance was given that the firm was
abundantly able to meet all the demands
made upon it, so that the public mini was
somewhat at rest. Rumors are still atioat,
however, regarding the stability, OF mum
Der of other firms. OF course there is no
way of getting at the true state of affairs in
most of these instances, but, from all the
sources that legitimate information can be
gathered. the court records, the banks, the
clearing house, etc, it must be said there
is nothing to indicate that Pittsburg house
is In financial distress.
A prominent iron manufacturer, with
whom your correspondent has quite
long conversation this morning, expressed
the belief that the country was on the
point OF
A Business Revival.
particularly in his branch of business.
When asked for a reason, he said: "My o.
ma
building is brisk the iron business is good
in all departments. Railroads are not
built unless there is good deal OF idle
capital afost. Within the past few weeks
a number of large contracts have been let
in railroad construction, and a number OF
large orders for rails have been placed in
this vicinity. II mistake not, as soon as
Congress gets through with the tariff bill,
so that basis for contracts can be fixed,
there will be boom in business. There
must be. The truth is, and il is well
known. that there is very little iron in the
market. During the strike all the mills
were exhausted of their warehouse stores,
and they have not had time to fill up SINCE
[ see nothing to prevent frst-class spring
trade, and l fully expect ii to open up
briskly within a week"
The Passage Oft TariT Bill,
reported by the Conference Committee in
the United States Senate, last night, is re-
ceived here with much pleasure. While it
is not quite as acceptable Is the report OF
the Tariff Commission, still it is much bet
ter than the original Senate bill, and really
better than was expected The pig iron
men are particularly pleased because the
bill advances the duty on pig from $l5 20
ST. II the House will only adopt the
measure now aud thus put an end to the
tinkering, the business interests of this
community can settle down to firm basis
Another department Of the industrial
world in which Pittsburgh is largely inter
ested, is
The Glass Business.
and there are some indications OF a strin-
gency in it also. 1t is said the manufactur.
ers have come to the conclusion they can
not pay present wages and maintain pres
ent prices, and that they have therefore
resolved-I speak of the bottle manufac.
turerS particularly-to offer the men a re-
duction of twenty per cent in their wages,
and If il is not accepted, to close down in
definitely. The men, OIL their part, claim
that such a move is not justltiablc, and
assert they will not submit TO such a re.
duclion. The only result of such an issue
can be a strike aud a shut down.
Members Of the
Amalgamated Association
take the place to be made vacant by Mr..
Jarrett's retirement from the Presidency at
the close of his present term. Although
the time is some months distant yet the
friends Of the various gentlemen whose
names have been mentioned in connection
with the Office, are making an active can
vass, IN a qniet way in their interests. Mr..
Jarrett could easily be reelected if he so
desired but he stated most positively at the
l.,Nl l. NoI-
the office again under any circumstances,
and in recent conversation he reiterated
that assertion. The name most promi-
nently mentioned for the position here in
Pittsburgh is that of William Martin, at
present the efficient Secretary of the AssO-
citation. Mr.. Martin is a very capable man,
but he is not as popular as Mr.. Jarrett,
and his election is BY no means foregone
conclusion. He is not liked as we'll by the
manufacturers ss Mr.. Jarrett, because they
say he Can not he depended on TO stick to
proposition once made, if circumstances
change. In his present position he has
rendered
Valuable and Efficient Service,
but the duties required of him now aud
those that would be placed upon him if
President, are very different, and it is
questionable whether he is of the proper
temperament to be q safe leader. He is by
no mean as cool headed as Mr.. Jarrett.
He is new about thirty. weight years of age.
The Amalgamated Association is now en-
gagged in making up scale OF wages to be
submitted TO the manufacturers for the
year beginning June lst. Under the con-
| stitutiOn of the association, at their first
meeting in February the various lodges re-
| wise the scale then in force, and suggest
| whatever changes they deem advisable. A
report OF what action is taken and the
changes desired by the lodge, is forwarded
| to the Grand Lodge, in this city. These
are reviewed by the general officers, and a
report made out emboiying the suggestions
of the sub-lodges. This report is distributed
| to all The lodges of the association, and
thus each lodge and every member thereof
| is made aware of the general feeling
| throughout the association. The reports OF
the sub-lodges have been gathered, and the
general report of the Grand Lodge was dis
| tributed Wednesday last. Most of the
District Conventions
will be held next month, by which time the
| policy of the association for the ensuing
year will be pretty well outlined. The
| Pittsburgh district convention will be held
the first Saturday in April, and the Others
| soon after. Your correspondent has not
| seen any of the circulars sent ont, but from
! information received he feels confident in
saying that the rate Tor pudding asked Tor
| by the Association, will be continued Al
| $3.50 per ton on a basis of two and half
cents On the the part Of the manufactur-
ers il is not probable any attempt will be
msde to cut down the present rates. Such
an attempt would be sure TO pcecipttste an
other strike, thing the Manufacturers do
not care to precipitate sgain.
You have alresdy been informed at some
length of the attempt at arbitration Of the
| coal operators and miners. which have so
far proven aborsiye, Nothing new in the
matter has been developed since nv last
dispatch.