St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-04-18
TWO SIDES.
The Differences Between Shotwell
Clerihew & Lothman and Their
EmplOyeS.

The Differences Between Shotwell
Clerihew & Lothman and Their
Employees.
The threatened strike among the
employees of the manufacturing depart
ment of Shotwell, Clerihew & 10th
man, which appears to have been on
the tapis since Monday, did not occur
yesterday, although there were some
new developments. Il. w. Brosnan,
X. of l.. representative. called on the
firm yesterday in behalf of the
girls, and received from Mr.. Woodward,
the superintendent, statement of the
case. Mr.. Brosnan expressed himself
as not in favor of strikes, as they were
costly luxuries, and he thought as soon
as both employer and emplOye under
stood each other matters would be
wisely and fairly adjusted. Mr.. Wood
ward stated that Oh Saturday, the reg.u-
substituted cheaper grade, with less
work on it, just to keep the girls at
work. In reality there was no reduc-
tioh. He compared the pay roll kept by
Nevins, former manager, with the
present pay roll, showing that help who
had formerly earned $S.35 week now
received S9.75 for the same work,
and many other instances to
prove that the condition OF the
girls is better now than formerly.
There was no reduction OF wages dur
ing the winter, but work Of some kinds
was slack, so wages were leSsened
slightly for that reason, and he main
tanned the girls had no grievances. MI.
Brosnan asked if the wages quoted were
not those of the best workers. Mr..
Woodward replied that the firm were
not responsible for the slOwneSS of help;
that the swiftest workers got the most
pay. If such were the case, Mr.. Bros
nan did not see that. the girls had any
thing to complain about, and did not
think they ought to strike on account OF
the alleged cut of last Saturday.
The girls, however, seemed to have
some decided opinions on the subject,
and yesterday afternoon at 8 O'Clock
held meeting at $50 Second avenue
south to discuss their affairs. Over 200
bright active and excited girls put IN
an appearance. According to their
statements there have been heavy re-
auctions in wages during the winter.
At call from the chairman the girls
employed in each department stated
the reductions since Christmas. Here
are few samples: eve got 10 cents
per pair for pants, now we get CENTS"
'I4-cent shirts cut to 70 cents" ''S-cent
shirts cut to cents" "9-cent shirts cut
30 seven." AS each statement was made
the girls employed in that department,
from six to thirteen in number, rose ana
affirmed its truth. One said: 1--WE are
told about this last cut that it's new
goods and only for few weeks. That's
what they said last winter when they
cut the 14-cent pants to IL cents, but
notice the girls are still working at
Them" Some discussion followed as to
how wages ran; upon call for the girls
who couldn't earn more than 50 week
about thirty-fve rose to their feet, some
of them saying they had been en-
plOyed over six months and could earn
no more because the price per piece
was so low. Ten overall makers next
stood and said their average wages were
So week, except extra on special work
they sometimes could earn S..
A committee, appointed to wait on
Mr.. Woodward, reported their inter-
view as follows:
eve told him we were appointed to
represent the whole force and ask for
an advance of two cents per piece on all
grades cut since Christmas" MIR. Wood
ward said.
"Whe-e-e-w! You don't ask but
a little. That would be about SCOOP
We told him he didn't seem to think
much of reducing our wages
that much last winter. He asked
us if we were representing that
art gallery up STAIRS He didn't care
whether the girls worked or not. If
they didn't like their wages they could
quit. We then went to the firm. They
were poite-only smiled and referred
us to Woodward, the manager"
A storm of remarks followed the re-
port. The girls resented being called
That art gallery up stairs" and that
similar factory in the city because
Shotwell, Clerihew & Lothman require
much extra work on goods and are
very particular, thus forcing the girls
wages. The girls seemed thoroughly
excited and eager for action, because
they claim that wages are so near star
walton point that some action must be
taken, and that without delay.