New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-19
THE SINGER WORKS STOP.
THREE THOUSAND OPERATIVES IDLE.
TWO LOCOMOTIVES SEIZED FOR TAxEs-PIEsIDENT
M,KENZIE nnnERs 4 suuT=pOMN

MKENZIE ORDERS SHUTDOWN.
The mandatory of the Singer Sewing
Machine Company at ElIzabethport. ~ j., closed Its
doors at 430 p yesterday on account oil troubles
with the city government. and over 5000 men, women
and children thrown out Of employment The
city owes the Singer Company a debt Of almost
S2,oo0,ooo the interest which has not been paid for
some time. The company refuses, therefore, 10 pay
taxes. At $50 yesterday Controller Carlton at
tached in default of taxes property OF the company
amounting to $4,000 in the shape Of two locomotives
BY order Of President Mckenzie the works were closed
until the matter should be settled The workmen have
decided upon method OF action, but consider the city
authorities at fault They will hold meeting, probably
to-day, to discuss their future action. There Is no
probability Of any violence
Controller Carlton and City Treasurer Whelan went
together the factory make the levy for tho taxes
due this year. They received By the sGpernten
dent OF the factory, L. B. Miller. Mr.. Miller asked what
part 81 the property they wished to attach.
81 leave that YOU" replied Mr.. Carlton 81 do this
simply I'm the line OF my duty and wish to make 1t as
convenient possible for the company"
Mr. Miller refused specify any property to he at
tached and accordingly Mr. Carlton selected two large
locomotives belonging to the company They were. how
to avoid trouble left at the factory ana permits
sion to them given until the day of sale The facts
OF the elegraphed to President Mckenze ana
the city had to determination. he resolved to
DO the Accordingly at p m. the following no.
tice posted
On account OF city troubles factory Will be closed
until further notice"
The news quickly circulated among the hands and at
frat there 'some slight excitement. But nothing
done. They picked up their possessions, the men
and sorrowul, and now and then angry and the
children delighted the unexpected Christmas holiday
They crowded the trains that run from Ezabetport 10
the city, and many their comments on the occur
renee
The City OF Elizabeth to blame for this" said one
-" believe they put the in their pockets in
stead OF paying a decent interest on their debt"
whats that to you replied another The shut
down would have come any how in few days. and this
Will be the You dontbeleve that If they wanted
to make sewing machines they would let $4,000 taxes
stop them"
well. either way you fix It we're stuck. said third
might any other time but here that's no good
We've been struck"
The hands discussed what should be done In little
groups the They apparently were in sympathy
with the company, which always shuts down for two
weeks at Christmls aud for which they evidently ex-
pected to be- working again after that time. However
there were number OF anxious fathers, on whom THIS
came too suddenly. These talked OF having large
meeting showing the city that they did not mean TO
be treated that way and wanted the matter settled
Some sort Of meeting viii be held today. Whilo tue
officials the company that there's great danger IN
putting many dIe hands n'o The city when they can
other work. Mayor Greer ana other ono ais make
light OF the whole affair The city was perfectly quiet
Mayor Greer made the following statement as to the
city- OF the The city government, through
too much money i0r Ihle!naa i"'t ~ ,s h,t ~
singer Company held great many Oh our OOhds nut IN
the days OF Mr. ClarEs presidency matters were ann
cable II was utterly lnPnsspis 10 pay our Teo
and we had 10 stop paying the interest mat
Il ono affair The singer Company can have no right TO
refuse pay their taxes on that account These matters
are entirely separate and have been kept so Oy legA
Judgments We have offered to compromise with the
creditors OF the cry upon such terms all bat tho singer
Company thought just; They certainly are legally
bound To pay their taxes IA,
Controller Carlton said; " I have nothing TO DO with
tho main question. beyond natural siding with the
city. should not collect city taxes, my bondshen
mi. morning and don't think 10 especially fair dealing
on the part company 10 take entirely unnecessary
advantage 81 requisite part OF my duties TheJ have
moi paid any taxes since ISL. Judgments, however
have been entered against them Tor the last three years.
and my business was with the fourth That IS all OF my
connection with tho case and don't want 10 be involved
further OF course they Will make capital OUT OF the
case and perhaps pretend to their hands that city
ctitious re doing and Yet think the workmen
ara intelligent enough To that there was absolutely
mo- necessity OF this shutdown from act Moreover
n the largest holder In the city does not pay
aYes II makes good deal more for tho lesser ones 10
nav Tbs workncn viii see that. too"
Py rpRTSr rrporter called upon George p. Mckenzie.
ppnice1 No 81 Union Square m the afternoon.
Why do you think It necessary TO smut down the rae
tory r. he was asked.
4. our principal mothod Of retaliation. BY shut
ting down tho works about $500 wOrkmen and tho mem
beers OF their families about 1000 more VIII he thrown
on the city. These people have had $1,000 week In
wages 10 spend In the city and that amount will be
entirely Withdrawn from the city's trade We think
This action will lead the intel gent citizens TO demand
speedy and honorable adjustment OF the Guys finances
How long will your works he kept closed r.
"I'ntil the difficulty Is adjusted, Mt least. We snail
walt until property u PUT up AZ auct wien we
Of Tho cty. bonds. which hold collateral for sale
AT Tho Court House. We at least ten cents on
e dollar for these enough the amount Of our
axes These are bonds which received collateral
on "A cash loan OF F3OO.OOn' -, ,
what the indebtedness OF the city TO the singer
Company and members ofItT
Twin say first that the loans were male seven years
ago and not cent OF interest mas occh paul.
u4f