New-York tribune., 1884-12-08
TIE STRIKE ~ SOUTH NORWALK
\ LONG STANDING DISPUTE BETWEEN THE EMPLOY.
ERs AND THE HATTERs UNIONS.


tFROM SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUSE1
SOUTH NORwALK, Dec. 1.-The wooden nut
meg state at time controlled the hat trade tho
country. The industry was born when New-England
looked herself the United saes and although t
has spread and Is onrishng In other parts OF tho
country, Connecticut Is still considered the centre for
certain kinds OF goods and her hatters peculiarly
tenacious IN their endeavors retain ancient rights
and privileges OF their guild Not many years ago tho
hatter through their unon ruled the trade Its pro-
nunciament0s governed employers and wage workers
From its decision there appeal capital were
not satisfied with the action OF the labor which con-
rolled 1t, it liberty withdraw from the field
even If 1t were lost In the attempt Capital Last made
a determined effort TO make Its own laws, and
successful to such that the sronghos of labor
In the hat industry confined TO South Norwalk
and Bethel Conn; Brooklyn, and a couple OF
other places Here the haters union has always been
power. 1t has issued Its orders they have been
obeyed The manufacturers have made requests Some
times they have been complied with and sometimes
rejected. In q struggle between labor and capital In
the hat industry Danbury labor unsuccessful and
the union there broken up. Labor is to be had
much lower Danbury than I'm South Norwak and
In consequence Of this certain grades of hats be
made at profit at Danbury which actually entail loss
in their manufacture here There are twelve hat fac
tories here The chief firms are Crofut 4 Knapp who
ractores Alden solmans, Coffin nurbutt h
Co, and Edwin Adams. Fourhith OF the hats produced
here made by these firms. They have invested Ia
buildings and machinery large amount OF money. For
years they have labored under the disadvantage of
competing against cheaper labor than they have been
able to employ They have been under the complete
control Of the union that In their opinion wanted all
without giving ANYTHING IN return. For three cars or
more the manufacturers have teen considering how
they euui escal from the dlenltlea Finally the ans
mentioned eomhlned and agreed Upon bL"f prices.
" Ia b presented To- tho oi the different nea
nltn AZ n,
varied 4 raupe of departments m Alann Nolnnns
factory Nefe Niilua to accept The reduction Tho
mi sht hn said of Edwin Adams'a employees, fhnsp -
tiomt knapp threw on theif aprons without delay
ani qnltlnd tho factories, although informed that lno
bill offered or thor consideration and that ls
old rate of wages would Ienarn Ia force unl all orders
on hand had been completed. When tie matter was
broush the attention OF the union, the altor ordered
"a strike.
IHE SYMPATHY WITH THE STRIKERS.
In city of $4,000 people. which has many points Of
resemblance TO village. the influence eXeIted by 5000
wage workers makes itself felt in a variety Of ways
The other business interests OF the place are small in
comparison with the hat industry aud may be said to
depend upon IL. The strikers have Issued pamphlet
detailing the alleged injuries that would be inflicted
them by the acceptance OF the ne" bill OF prices. Their
assertion that reduction Ia wages ranges from Is
per cent is denounced untenable Dy the manu-
lecturers who say that t Affects only the low priced
grades work, hat ranging from "a Dozen down
wards They claim that tue new bill will not affect the
aud that the average reduction Is not more than ~ per
However the fight between capital and labor here Is
not upon this pOiut. The real issue Is between the
manufacturers and the union The fight is not only
local in its character but has already attracted tbe
attention OF the hat makers throughout the country Tho
union is quick recognize the fact that beaten In this
ngnt might well pull down ts flag Outside
izatons are lending helping hand and he treasury
Of the strikers has $4,000 In IT, They that they are
In position to wage t,r six months, and nothing
will induce them To accept the terms OF the manuiac-
To accept the terms would be equivalent 10
heC
declared that In future they Will not recognize the union
but will give employment TO its members as individuals
They argue that they have rie ht 10 conduct thelr
business they see 1T They recognize the right OF
their belong to union, but bold that they have
Just IA much right emIlO union men. who sub
scribe their rules the union has 10 declare strike
The manufacturers also say that many OF their old
employees would be willing TO accept tue new bill aud
glad go work under it, II they were not afraid OF
the union. The latter, while determined not TO accept
the new bill and conditions attached TO II. IL also
determined prevent others from taking the places OF
ats members IL has committees IN every community
OF hatters and these committees working hard to
prevent hat makers from coming to ths sosrg; cry;
OF the townspeopIe The small tradesmen look ""
them ae their patrons.
MEASURES OF PROTECTION.
Tie Mayor II. e. Golden is anxious to preserve tho
peaco and to afford the manufacturers the necessary
protection He will not say that be is unable 10 20
this but frankly states that he cannot fnd men for thu
purpose, who arc not in sympathy with the strikers
his special p0lcetwO In numDer-are looked upoI
with disrust by the manulaetnrers' ana one 9 tnen
refused To act on saturday. Until the Mayor declare
act and until the latter conesses that he Is Incapable
performing the task Governor Waller can't be expected
10 send troops do the work The Mayor intlmates
that he will promptly as soon rs the strikers
proceed to extremltes We're it not for the expense
OF moving from one point another, there Is hstIe
doubt that South Nofwalks chief industry womb sVon
be II The BCas Of as 1ds a. S ana
should strike result In damage 20 pIol.ry mere,
South Norwalk suffer terrible loss Inc manu-
factories will De removed, this city VIII ItoDaDiy DO
compelled to pay for all damage Una, may nave Deea
done, and the surplus population VIII eitner peconc
burden, emigrate leaving In tne iufch uozehss
traders who depend on them for q nNlng.
Another batch Of non-union men are 10 aitiNeto
morrow and their appearance may cause long looked
Tor exploson The strikers watch every incoming
rain and their headquarters Ia within stones throw OF
The depot Business Is paralyzed for the time aud tue