New-York tribune., 1884-12-07
A STRIKE OF HATTERS.
CAUSE or A FRIGHT IN SOUTH NoRWALh'
AxrIc,pA ATEp VIOLENCE THAT DID NOT TAME rI""'
THE NATURE OF THE QUARREL
INV TELEGRAPH To THR TsIpUNr.l

ANTICIPATED VIOLENCE THAT DID NOT TAKE rhA'A
THE NATURE THE QUARREL
IN, TELEGRAPH tn. TaIpUNT'
cr, yoyv.,x Dec G-The only disturbance
rrea,od by the striking matters, VINO numoer o'ei
% zoo men occurred last night. Fifteen non-union
men arrived from Newark. They were received by
the Mayor and the police, who protected the bosses
of the factories which began the lockout ncio
was crowd of many hundreds at the depot Inc
crowd Kissed the new arrivals vigorously an" ohe
of the latter claimed that no struck by stone
Ths notice were armed and they had no difficulty
in taking care of the new comers.
Early to night the strikers were much exciteu
over report that twenty-five non-unioh men nau
left n train at Five Mile River, station two miles
distant from this place. They at once pnt 'hen
nickets ont with the threat that if the scabs fell
into their hands the result would not be SO peace
full as things had been up to date.
Rumors of trouble. present and future, new
through this town of 10 900 people thick and fast.
The hat-making industry overtops all Others IN I'M
portance Ii gives employment TO about 5000
men ard women in the proportion of four TO one.
The influence of such body in a small community
has shown itself IN marked manner within the
last two weeks The hattcTs of South Norwalk
have had as a rule, steady work and good wages
MANY of them own their houses ana pos
sess neat bauk accounts. There are
twelve hat factories here. On November II,
Ave of these decided that the old rate oi wages
could no longer he maintained. new list oi prices
WAS prepared and offered the men for consideration.
The head and front Of the new combination IN
Croffut 4 Knapp who have two factories. Tho
foreman of factory NO told the men, no says thuV
oil orders on hand or TO be furnished by January
should be filled at the old rate of wages The new
rate was 10 bo paid for the first half of lsso. Ihe
sbop was called Immediately and the
men oult work without finishing Their
iohs. tho employers assert, thus breaking one OF
their own rules The firms of A. Somans, CONN
Hurlhntt & Co. aud Edwin Adams joined with
CroGu, & Knapp in the reduction aud are now
Idle. Since the strike began, the inisherS ana
makers have combined. and have been joined by
now organization composed of women. the hat
trimmer. The three organizations appointed an
executive committee of thirty members.
Tur RELATIVE POSITION OF THE CONTESTANTS.
The strikers say that the membership OF the COM
bined organizations Is over 1900. They say that
their relief fund at the beginning of the
strike was over $4,000, and that the
treasury contains more than $4,000 to-day
Members of the Executive Committee assert That
money is pouring IN at the rate OF from 200 TO
$1,000 day. They have expended not more than
500 "a dav, and expect to be able to continue The
fight for six months unless majorityo Of the strikers
should remove TO other localities There Is a wide
margin between the statements OF the opposing
forces. The strikers say that the reduction is un-
heard of in the annals of the trade but hold that
this is not the worst feature of the contest.
Tue employers havo determined to dlsin-
te<rate trades unions among their men
aI,l since the strike began have declared that in
future they will paw no attention to organizations,
bni will Iecog gnze individuals only Their business
will be conducted, not according TO the desires of
their employees, but in their own way. Heretofore
ouly fair - hatters could be employed; hereafter
IL pill not he necessary for halter t. belong 10
urIon to get work. The factories are open to the
strN ors only as hatterS and not union men, even
II they accept reduction. This the men say. means
des;itution for them ana for the women something
worse. Both sides have done much figuring aud
are ready to answer all questions relating
to the change Of prices. The strikers
assert that the reduction averages from 10
10 s. per cent. and would allow trmmers 10 earn
frcpn 5000 10 S275 year, fnishcrs from 500 to
$500. curriers'. 5000 TO $500, and hat makers $i0O
to $50 a year. The employers say that the rcduc
tiaa amounts only to 10 per cent. and that the
poorest curer makes more than $500 year.
I'D. Rugglcs bookkeepcr for Croiut q Knapp,
sad tonight that the average pay Of their hands.
msp and women was over $500 a year, and that
som of tbeir workmen earned $50 week. This
the attempt has made the strikers Wild
BrIIIG!ETNr ACTIONS OF The STRIKERS.
On Tuesday night fourteen "scabs' were brought
here 10y the firm and taken TO the Mahackcno Hotel
Tie attitude of the strikers became belligerent
that the men were turned out Of the hotel and all
save three returned to Newark Last night ten
mca were brought here by j. ID. RuggleS and W. W.
Lester who have charge of factory No. 2. They
were met at the depot by a large crowd of strikers
L. LII
treated to torrent of abuse, but were not other
VIE molestcd -Four of their men were persuaded
70 leave by the strikers Ihe others
are in the factory under guard. The cmpoves say
that the sympathy of the town seems to he with
IN, II kcis aud that this account they can OBJ
tam no loca protection. They are IN suited when
ever they appear in public They walk about with
re,Olye, ln each pocket. The factories are guarded
by strangers armed with rifles and pistols. Noconii-
deuce IS placed by tie employers IN the ability OF
hepoilce force of three men TO protect them.
Mayor Golden depressed the mob twice last night
when trouble seemed imminent.
The report that twesty-iye " scabs had landed
a Five Mile River Tonight created great excite
mcut among the strikers. and their pckels are still
securing tho country in all directions. The house
at Austin Wilson, foreman for Edwin Adams, was
attacked last night The windows wcrc broken lay
shower OF stones. One of his children narrowly
escaped being killed
This molning Wilson found letter showed under
bis trout door. II was written IN French and All
dfer cd to him and WAS as follows;
THIS - on first visit. Beware of the next
The letter wa Cmhplllehod with cuts Ot u conn,
skuand coss- bones. The strlkorsSny that they viii
MAKE NO disturbance, hut Will oudcayur to prevent
"stsbs' from taking thcir places. The bosses say
thst they me determined 60 get men and not to re-
erde from their position, Some of the manufacf-
urcfr talk Of removing their business 90 Bridge
port. The EMPLOYERS held another conference thus
evening and decided 10 ash Governor Waller Tor ns-
sisisnco II anaitS did not assume u moro peaceful
aspect,
HOW THE RIOT RtrORr WAS STATED
~, fslroRArn 10 fnG rRiurSGl