Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-07-27
TRE NEW NAIlERs.
when and Where They WIN Go
to work.
What the Feeders Say, and How the
Nailers Take Their Action--Sey-
eral Factories to Start
To-Day.

thing new in nail circles and both man
ufacturers and workmen are looking
aDxiously forward to the outcome. The
fact that the feeders will take machines is
now definitely settled, and once that the
initial step is taken it is thought the break
will 9 general. There is much discussion
among mill men and others Is to whether
the feeders viii succeed in their undertake
ing. In conversation with a mailer last
evening, he said to q reporter:
i win be willing to wager a big amount
that o feeder who takes a machine without
any previous experience in grinding, will be
unable to make one
GOO E or NAILS
in q week, that Is, unless he has some one
to instruct him. 1t will be the best thing
that ever happened for the nailers if some
ofthem do not weaken and 60 to work in.
structing the feeders. In that event it will
hurt us. Otherwise it will not"
The feeders, at least many Of them, have
just a reverse opinion to this. Those who
have worked at the business for q long
time say that with very little inssruc-
ton they can soon run
one machine easily, but OF
course there are many who are compare
lively new at the business and will necessa-
rily experience more trouble in learning.
ITO give you an instance of how we we're
treated by the ~nailers," said q feeder to q
reporter last evening, Il cite to you my wi
case. have been
CHOPPING NAILS FOR MANY YEARS.
The man ! worked with was the father of a
little chap who used to come and play
around my machine while he still wore
frocks. Well, l kept on ~chopping and he
kept on growing, until now he is running
four machines and | am still feeding for his
father. During all that time l have never
had an opportunity to learn to grind"
THE feeders will not benefit themselves"
said another mailer, even if they do man
age to get along and run their machines.
They have accepted a reduction from TWEEN
ty-one to seventeen cents, and the time
they are getting along pretty well another
reduction will be asked for. Thenthey will
have two courses staring them in the face.
They will either be compelled to lose the
result of all their work to acquire the
trade, or accept another reduc-
ton which may bring them down to as low
wages as they made feeding nails. The
worst part about it is making the
BREAK IN WAGES,
which are sure to keep on falling. l do not
see the use of learning a trade unless you
get paid for it. AS far rs l am concerned,
/ say let them try it and see if they are not
sorry before long"
I'VE intend to try it" said a feeder, land
the number who are willing to 60 to work
is increasing every day. The nailers
have treated us badly, and l
for one do not feel as if
we are doing anything wrong in taking the
machines. Next week will tell how we'll
we can get along in the mysteries Of this
great trade"
A large and enthusiastic meeting was
held at Knights of Labor Hall yesterdI ~
afternoon and the situation discussed 10
formally for several hours. A number Of
new names were
ADDED To THE ROLL
of the Nail Feeders Union, and many more
expressed their intention Of joining in the
near future. No especial business vas
transacted at the meeting, but the usual
meeting of the Union will be held at the
same place tonight, when it is expected
further action will be taken by the feeders
looking to the acceptance of machines IN
the various factories.
A rumor was current upon the street last
night that the Bellaire feeders would return
to work this morning, the difficulties be-
tween them and the nailers having been
settled. Several feeders from this city, who
will not take machines, have signiGed their
intention of going to Bellaire to feed if the
above report is true and they can secure
jobs.
The question that puzzles a good many
people is how the Bellaire mill
CAN AFFORD TO COMPETE
with our mills when they are paying four
cents more per key for making nails.
This is explained, if q rumor is true,
which is to the effect that when the mills
here get in good running shape that the
Bellsire factory will shut down and the
Wheeling mills will furnish them with nails
until the end of the year. How true this is
could not be sscertained,
The agreement with the feeders inc'ules
all the mills in the city, Benwood and Mar
TINS Ferry, but feeders say that the propo-
sition of the Belmont is tairer than that Of
the Riverside, inasmuch as it insures the
feeders that they will be retained even
should the old nsilers return to work.
copy OF THE AGREEMENT.
Following is a copy of the agreement Of
the Belmont, which has already twenty
names signed to it.
WHEELING, W. Va, July rs.
We, the undersigned n~ailfeeders, hereby
agree to take one nail machine each in the
Belmont nail factory and run it under in
structions of the factory manager, and pro-
pose, after a satisfactory trial, to become ex-
pert ~nailers, and will charge for our work
the scale of wages presented to the nsilers
by the manufacturers on the 29th of May,
1885. The said Belmont nail company, az
ter reasonable time, say three months,
agrees to stand by rs and to secure to us
our Jobs, even should the old nailers be ad,
mitted into the factory, so long rs we do
our work satisfactorily and are in every way
worthy of retention.
The first named eleven viii be gwen
machines at once by the manager and the
remaining nine shah have the next turn
and before any others, and at proper times.
Factory engine will start as soon as ready
and due notice will be given.
], D. DUBoIs,
Secretary Belmont Company.
This mill will begin operations tomorrow
or Wednesday.
h BENwOoD MILL,
it is learned, viii start to day with ten or
fifteen feeders, as it already has a stock Of
nail plate to run them for q week or so.
II is also announced that if the rollers and