Daily Republican., 1886-03-27

They Meet and DISCUSS the Morocco
Industry-The waEes Question

The seventeen morocco manufactur-
ing firms Of this city and the Executive
Committee of District Assembly 94,
knights Of Labor, according TO announ
cement met at the Clayton House last
night at 7.30 O'Clock, and continued in
session until 11.30, the conference last
ing four hours.
At the appointed time President
Baker, Of the Wilmington Morocco
Manufacturers Exchange called the
Exchange 70 order. Secretary McClsry
In making up his record announced the
following members present: President,
John q. Baker; Vice President, Chas.
Baird; Secretary, W. j. McClary;
William Bush, James Scott, Winfield
3. Scott. Lewis T. Bush Jr., j. Parke
Po,tlss, 1. T. Qaigley, Washington
q. Jones, Charles Il. Jones, j. Gibson,
John j. Gibson, Charles W. Gouert, j.
]. Mahoney, George Beekins, A. l..
lStephenson, Charles K. Fritz, Martin
Beadenkopf, William Hamilton, W. ".
Bond, Charles Mullin, Daniel w. Mul-
lin, James q. Dobb and Mr.. Sullivan,
of Philadelphta. George w. Black, q
well known stenogrspher Of Philadel-
lphia, having been procured by the
Exchange to report tho meeting, was
elected assistant secretary for the even
ing.
Mr.. Baker said that q delegation
from the knights Of Labor were In the
building ana he suggested that the
Secretary retire and bring them and as
sign them seats. Secretary McClary
retired and returned with the chairman
Of the delega lion, Charles Patton, Sec
retary A. NJ. Jamison, Harry johnson,
John Ward, James Fenton and Mat
thew Colwell, the latter of this city and
we'll known 70 the morocco manufac
turers. The delegation was assigned
seats In the room.
President Baker then stated that the
Exchange WAS ready to hear any sug.
gestions that the Executive Committee
might have to make.
Chairman Patton then gave an &C
count Of the efforts they had made 20
have conference with the manufac
tarers and how they had failed, the
result being the strike which took
place this week. Mr.. Pstton then pre-
sented the price list Of wages that had
been agreed upon by the morocco work.
ers Of Wilmington. Mr.. Colwell handed
around printed slip TO each person In
the room.
After looking over the list President
Baker stated that he did not know that
they were expected to 20 into an arbi
tration Of wages immediately, but said
he had understood from Mr.. Colwell
that the subject of India-tanned leather
would be taken into consideration and
such other subjects as would pertain TO
| the general interests of the morocco
ItRa6a and the aroI SUt f.fa al
concerned.
Mr. Colwell stated that he had q con.
versation with James Scott In reference
TO this matter, and he had suggested
that there should be o better under
standing between the morocco manu-
fscturers ana their employees.
Mr.. Scott said, as his name had been
mentioned, he would say that some
four weeks ago there was q disagree
ment In Mr.. Bush's factory in regard to
wages. An arbitration ensued, and the
matter was hxed up satisfactorily 10 all
| concerned and Mr.. Bush assured that
he could 60 on with his work without
molestation. Mr.. Scott says he told
Mr.. Oolwell the Knights were attacking
the wrong manufacturers, and that
. they should attack the India. tanned
/ leather goat skins coming into the
country. Mr.. Colwell at that time sug-
gested = meeting TO discuss the ques-
tion. Mr.. Scott says he suggested q
committee of ten each from the manu-
facturers and the Knights OF Labor.
Mr.. ColWeu agreed with what Mr..
Scott said, but The settlement ut VIM.
Bush's factory WAS only for the time.
He could give no ASSURANCE for the
future.
President Baker asked where the
price list emanated from, whether
amongst the employees Of Wilmington
or PhiladeDphia or by the COMMITTEES
present.
Mr.. Jamison said 1t came from vii.
mington workmen.
Mr.. johnson in explanation defined
the general plan of procedure Of the
Knights of Labor. The order he said
was divided into departments. Eirst
| was the General Assembly covering the
United States, England, France, Bel
GUM and Germany. Next came the
District Assembly covering an extent
of country twenty miles In all direc-
, tions, and third came the local assembly
which took in any part of country
however small. The morocco workers
were divided unions. This bill OF
prices came from the local union OF
morocco workers of Wilmington, and
1t was given TO the committee OF Dis
trict Assembly "a, composed of five
mem bers, and the business of that COM
mittee TO- night was to present this bill
of prices that had been agreed upon.
Mr.. Baker: "What branch OF the
trade do you belong to?"
81 am morocco shaver"
Mr Baker, looking over the price
| list, said he saw that each branch OF
the trade represented by men had
treated itself very literally, but had
not heen so liberal to the sewers, who
are women.
| Mr.. johnson said they were ready
for any advance in their wages the
manufacturers were willing to make.
Mr.. Postles took the floor and make
q somewhat lengthy speech. He said
he felt much indebted to Mr.. johnson
for giving so much desired information.
He now saw as he never saw before
how men from Philadelphia became
interested in Wilmington matters. Yet
he was surprised and disappointed. He
lad been told that questionsior the mu-
tual good OF both employers and en-
ployes would be presented. He had
expected that India-tan would be dis
cussed before the bill Of wages would
be thrust into their faces.
Mr.. Johnson said he was willing to
consider the question Of India-tan, but
did not care to enter into q political
discussion of it. He was willing TO aid
In bringing the question before Con-
Rreas. Knights OF Labor were accus-
toned to courteous hearing before
any committee of Congress. Two years
ago this was not the case but We are q
power now that we were not then. The
assistance of the Knights would no