The Labor enquirer., 1884-12-06
fIaverhiIl.
[By Associated Labor Press

Is I1ANERHIl4L, Lee. Z.-Ine employees o
the great Waltham Watch company
never looked fayorably upon organiza
ton. claiming that their wages we're su
tperior to those of common mechanics
They are likely to repent of their posi-,
ton. At alate hour Saturday afternoon
ljust before the closing Of the factory, q
report became current among the hands
in several of the departments that there
was 10 be made within a few days a gen.
eral discharge of help, and that there
was to be general reduction Of from 1t
to 20 per cent in the wages Of those who
remained. A careful Investigation was
therefore made Yesterday about town to
ascertain. if possible, the truth of the
matter, and with results to show pretty
conclusiyely that the report was correct
in great measure, although no official
announcement of any change has yet
been made. 1t seems, however, that
Foreman Green of the plate department
has received orders to reduce his force
lsone-half, and to reduce the wages Of
those who remain from 10 to 20 per cent.
The expected entire reduction in the
force is estimated at from 400 to 800 per-
sons, and if such shall prove to be the
case, and general reduction in pay is
also. made, the blow will be severely
felt. The present rate of daily manu-
facture is from 1,50O to 1900 watches,
and as the market is dull and has been
for some time, and the managers of the
company are reported as stating that on
account of this fact reduction in help
must be made, while they claim the
wages now paid are higher than paid by
anyother company in the world. The
force is about equally divided between
males and females, the average pay
among the former being So per day, and
81 IA among the latter. The average pay
is estimated to be higher than is paid by
anyother factory. Y.
Rumors of the contemplated shutting
down of the worsted mill of the Bige-
low Carpet company's works and the
putting on half time of the weaving
mill are arousing considerable anxiety
in Clinton. r- r
The Wareham Iron company's works
at South Wareham shut down on Mon
day, for an indefinite period, and the
Franconia Iron and Steel company's
works have again temporarily sus
pended The employees at the latter ac-
cepted the reduction of 10 per cent
November l. =. #
The Androscoggin Pulp company has
issued circular announcing either 9
suspension of work in some of its facto-
ries or a cutting down of employees
wages, on account of tile depression Of
tile business. "
At Palmer notice has been given the
employees of the wire mills that COM
~ -, .
mencing tomorrow, work could be fur
nished them only three days In a week
for the present, and that to slightly re-
duced force,
A factory has just been opened in Dan
bury, Connecticut, by Frederick Euvard
& Co, forthe manufacture of wooden
shoes. ~ 5z1es' IL
The Haverhill Pioneer Co-Operators
are actively engaged in preliminary
work, and evidently mean business.
One more has been added to the list of
successful attempts. at arbitration, the
trouble in C. N. Hoyt & Co.'s shop in,
this city having been settled in this man
ner.
The state labor league met last Mon
day in Boston and appointed proper
committees to represent it before legisla-
tive committees. f. X. +.