New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-05
RUINED BY THE STRIKERS.
GREED OF woRKMEN CAUSES FAILURE.
CLOSING THE FACTORIES OF A. r. MARTIN CO., IN
BosToN-GENyRAL MARTINS EXPLANATION OF
~.

CLOSING THE FACTORIES OF A.P. MARTIN CO., IN
BosToN-GENyRAL MARTINS EXPLANATION OF
THE CALAMITY.
Boston. Dec. (Speciaf).-The wclLknown boce
and shoe house of A. =. Martin & Co., of which
ex-Siayor Martin is the head this afternoon
made an assignment 10 Mr. Picl<ard, Of n. W.
Rice Co., No. IL South-st, OF this city. Tho
failure was announced late this afternoon This
is the most significant failure that has occurred
in this neighborhood in long time. IL Is not
due to speculation, nor to dcfalcation, but simply
to the inability of of the best business men
in Boston to carry q large manufactory at the
dictation Of his employees. General Martin has
for three years had great difficulty in carrying
his business owing TO the agitation which has
been made by leaders OF the labor movement.
Like hunircds Of other manufacturers. he he's en-
dcavored to stem the tide lie yielded 10 the
demands Of his employees far was possible,
but has finally been compelled to suspend opera
tions. His credit has always been good, and this
evening bank president entered his office. and in
expressing his surprise at the failure and his
sympathy for General Martin. said II you had
called on me to-day would gladly have let you
have money!
81 do not doubt it, replied the General, "for
| could easily have raised 100000 to-day II
had made the effort but | would not try tO
postpone the inevitable have faced thousand
dangers in bat tie without flinchng. but this COM
pletely unnerves me. l have always paid ono
hundred cents on the dollar, and until now have
felt pride in paying my debts II l were the
only sufferer l would not cringe. but do not
like to bring trouble on Others
General Martin was asked by reporter OK The
TRIBUNE this evening ii he was prepared to make
statement to his liabilities and assets, but he
declined. He said it was impossible to do so now.
haa frhf ha do
as between $780, 900 and 100000 at a rough esti-
mate. No meeting of his creditors has vet been
called. He said that year ago he had an inter-
view with the foreman of his largest factory, which
is in the town of Hudson where he has been
manufacturing about $500 pairs of shoes
"a day, giving employment to between 400
and 500 persons. He asked his foremen to call to-
Rether the men who were idle aad asH them II they
than they had been receiving The men declined
the offer aud General Martin after consideration:
from motives of humanity said that he would
make another effort and would put the men to
work at the former prices rather than let them
suffer during the winter months. He stocked up np
pairs of boots and shoes, and waited
for the spring trade 70 enable %hde him him
opened he made a contract to deliver 5000 cases
of shoes the West. but as soon as his men
learned of it they demanded another increase.
This compel ed him to fill the contract at loss.
This statement made by General Martin to
illustrate the difficulties which manufacturers
have been obliged to contend against for the last
three or four years.
&c is simple folly" said he. for man to attempt
TO run bis business at the dlcation of Others. and
the laborng classes will learn by and by that
the demagogues who urge them on to
demand more than the manufacturers
can afford to pay are not their
friends. The fact is. believe that crisis is near
at hand when this bad system will be broken up,
and men will zee that If they would consult their
own interests they must have some respect for tho
interest of their employer"
General Martin has been in business at the same
spot for fifteen years. The firm originally was Mar
tin & skinner; then it was changed to Martin,
Seapser Sea9s it has as' been "sn 4. Martin Co.
General Martin made an envabie record in the War;
| particularly at the Battle of Gettysburg. Three
years ago he elected MavOr of Boston by the
Repub leans and Citizens movement, serving the
city In this capacity for one year. tie has teen
conspicuous IN public affairs for good many years.
and be will receive the sympathy of the entire
business community
TROUBLE FOR THE CENTRAL UNION.
There is likely 70 be some trouble in the Central Labor
Union to-day The delegates Of the Cigarmakers Inter-
national Union intend bringing up plan to abolish tene-
house cigar work They assert that there are half
dozen large firms and number OF smaller ones III tho
city who manufacture cigars in tenement houses They
employ who Knights OF Labor and pay them
from 81 80 to SO thousand less than the union scale ana