Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-04-01
TEE LABOR sIrUArrox.


OmcmBmEeu = Some ADVANCES IN
Wages. 1-t
A meeting Of the morocco manufact-
urers and the executive board OF district
"a was called by the latter on Saturday
afternoon 70 be held at the Kirkwood
House at 10 O'Clock ON Monday. Notice
of the call was served on each member of
the manufacturers exchange. The ex-
change met OF 8. 80 O'Clock, in the morning,
OF j. Parke Postles x Co.'s office, aud
after preliminary consideration of the
situation appointed q committee to meet
the board. The committee named was
John G. Baker, William ]. McClary, j.
Parke Postles, Charles Mullin and Lewis
p. Bush, Jr. This committee promptly
appeared at the Kirkwood House at 10
O'Clock and was ushered into the main
parlor.
The knights met at their head quarters,
2l1 Market street, early in the morning,
and at 10 O'Clock Mr.. Oolwel appeared az
the hotel with o delegation OF local
morocco dressers, who assembled with
the manufacturers committee. A repre-
sentative of the GAZETTE presented
himself, but was told by Mr.. Oolwell that
for the present he thought it best TO have
no reporters present. He stated that he
was the only member of the board present
and did not wish TO take the responsibility
OF making the meeting public. He was
asked the meaning of the attendance of
the local men and answered;
at has been charged that the wages
list submitted ON Friday evening last was
made up in Philadelphia, by the manu-.
faoturers there, and that the workmen in
n. al I'LL 1
to them, would vote it down by amajority
Of 10 to A. The local men here this
morning are a delegation of three from
each factory of the city, and are brought
together for the purpose of testifying to
the fact that the schedule was made
up by the assemblies of this city,
submitted to the various shop committees
and that the Philadelphia members of the
executive board did not see the list until
It was presented to them on their arrival
here"
The local delegation was in conference
with the manufacturers committee from
10 to IL. During this time the executive
board arrived. After consulting with the
other members Mr.. Colwell announced
that it had been decided not to admit re-
porters. At II o'clock, when the local
delegations had gone and the board was
left alone with the committee, the refusal
10 admit the press was reiterated, and the
two bodies went into secret session.
One of the local delegations, on coming
down at IL O'Clock, stated: 1--WE have
finished what we had to say TO the manu-
facturers' committee and the two bodies
are now left alone TO arbitrate and effect
q settlement of the matter.n The same
gentleman said earlier: 1--WE believe we
are entitled to more wages and that the
state OF the morocco trnde of Wilmington
warrants an increase. We will state our
belief to the manufacturers as we have to
our executive board and then will abide
by any settlement they may make" He
said II the executive board after o
thorough discussion concluded that the
present rate of wages was the highest
the condition of the trade here warrants
at the present time the men would accept
that settlement and abide by it. The
whole matter, he said, was with the
board.
In regard to the powers of the manu-
,facturers' committee, manufacturer
aid on Monday that it had been author
lied to act unless some propositions came
up beyond the scope Of what had been
already proposed. He added, however,
that they had not had time to properly
consider the schedule submitted.
The morocco manufacturers committee
and the executive board remained in
secret session until l o'clock in the after
noon. From interviews with gentlemen
who were in attendance it WIS learned
that in answer TO the workmen's demand
the manufacturers submitted the follow
ing:
In view of the present condition of
trade we cannot advance wages at this
time, but to save the stock now in the
lime we will pay the sewers, beamsmen
aud tanners the wages on the list. In
the meantime, while we are working out
we will try to get an advance price for
goods that will correspond with the adj
yunce demanded in the bill of wages sub
mitted.
The discussion lasted for two hours.
In the course OF 1t the manufacturers
stated that the above was their ultimatum.
The executive board was represented by
Charles Patten, A. M. Jainison, John
Ward and Matthew Oolwell. These
gentlemen did not give their an
swer to the proposition of the
manufacturers, but said they would
consult with the workingmen before pro-
nounc1ng their conclusion. The confer
ence finally adjourned to the call of the
executive board.
In the afternoon notice was given of a
meeting of morocco employees to be held
in Institute Hall in the evening. The
employees began to assemble at 2 o'clock,
and by 7.30 the hall was crowded, there
being at least thousand Knights present,
all OF whom had given the password of
the order to two men at the door, with
out which no one was admitted. There
were several speakers and much en-
thusiasm. The meeting lasted two
hours, and closed without any of the
proceedings having been diyulged.
The executive board during the after
noon and evening considered the situa-
ton. s. II. johnson, who WAS not present
at the conference Monday, was tele-
Rraphed for and arrived in the evening.
As result Of the deliberations of the
board the following decision was arrived
at and il was taken to the Morning Ne1s
office and printed rs an advertisement
Notlce.-The Executive Board has de-
clded TINT, unless the morocco manufac-
turers agree to arbitrate the difficulty
existing between them and their employees
before this day, Tuesday, at O'Clock p. M,
a general strike will be ordered; and
further, that the bill OF prices presented
will be the basis of settlement.
We advertise this, and will give no
further notice.
The Executive Board, d. A. No. "a, X. OF l..
ALEX. M. JAMESON.
This is considered the ultimatum of the
knights. Both sides, 80 far as can be
gathered, have now presented their ut
most concession. The manufacturers in
terpret this notice TO mean that the sched-
nle as proposed by the board will have
to be accepted or the men will strike.
Those who have been seen say they can
see no ground for arbitration on the ques-
ton in the shape il has assumed. The
tone of the notice is not that of
arbitration, and they claim to see
no prospect of a. settlement. They
are preparing themselves to-day for
the strike, which they think cannot be
avoided. Consultations have been held,
hut the manufacturers are mainly direct
ing their efforts toward putting their
houses in order. Some of them are en-
tirely safe from any injury from the i'm
pending strike. w. Jones & Co. would
be able 10 finish all their perishable stock
in another day, and can save oil that is
left after to-day's work is done. L.
Il. Quigley is said to be equally
well fixed. ]. Parke Postles q Co., and
the Pusey & Scott Co., have about II
DAYS work still in the lines, and W. j.
McClary about eight. The balance range
between the highest and lowest figures
here stated. All who have been seen
believe they can save their wet stock by
washing and puring it and putting it in
,,ScLIa and therefore the strike cannot