New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-21
UNWELCOlfE NEWS FOR MERCHANTS.
THEY MUST WAIT WHILE THE PUBLIC STORES
OFFICIALS wRANGLE WITH THE EMPLOYEES.


OFFICIALS wRANGLE WITH THE EMPLOYEES.
There was great excitement and delay to business
at the Public Stores yesterday, caused by disagree
mcnt between tho Collectors representatives and tho
employees Of tho stores in regard to overtime. The
result viii probably be general strike this morning
Previous to November last all overtime was paid
for at % cents hour. Tho day after tho election
tho overtime was abolished by order Of Collector
Magonc, and tho men dlvl1ed into two gangs The
hours OF work equalized to average The
year round eight hours day. At present they be-
gin at a. and end at y. m. with half an hour
for luncheon When at p. m. work remains un
done, Of the gangs continues at work until IL
finished. and these allowed rs many hours
Off the next day as they required to remain
over hours tho day preceding it. Under this plan
the whole force is at work together but an hour or
two each day.
On Saturday night last gang worked until
a. H. Sunday When they knocked off they were
advised by Superintendent Cahl to report at noon
yesterday, although under tho rules they were not
expected to 60 to work again until Tuesday morn
Ing, having done eight hours overtime Saturday.
Tho Superintendent lntlmatcl tho men say that an
arrangement was possible by which tho men would
be paid again for overtime OF yOre. Accordingly,
at noon yesterday, the I" or" gang appeared. The
business OF the stores far behind unloadcd trucks
stood the doors and brokers' merchants and cart
men clamorcd for goods which had been examined
and were wanted for shipment Tho force duty
insufficient for present needs IL paid for over
timo tho men ready to 20 to work
Deputy Collector Williams sent out word to them
that wanted them to to work, saying that they
would be paid for It, This was not satisfactory, and
twenty minutes later General Williams gave his
personal assurance that the Government would settle
for every hours work done. 10 added that the men
who refused to 90 TO work would DO so at their
peril As nothing was said about reestabllshns the
Ina lacli inc q
help tho Government out Of its trouble.
At D. H. the time for quitting work, the other
gang stopped sharp at the hour, and although moro
than forty loaded trucks stood in line waiting to
deliver their public store packages and many empty
ones awaited goods for which they had permits, the
men went out leaving everything In confusion, with
cases bales and packages scattered over tho various
floors not even waiting to fasten w the shutters
az Is usual. General Williams appealed to them
again but i'm vain Only the promise OF restor-
Ing the overtime system would they return. Be
sides thcy wanted to know what was going IT, be
done with the men who had refused 10 go to work at
IL o'clock The Deputy Collector would make no
promises and the big trnck-losds OF goods which had
stood dG for ho ae % Tine tine ramcr docks 1e the
men had gone General Williams received message
time in cases OF emergency
repaired 10 Berrlgan's Hall. at Hudson and Dcs-
brosses SITS. where speeches wero made dcnounclns
General Williams and eulogzing tho former Kepuhh,
can Deputy Collector I'm charge, Colonel Jones, who
had always upheld tho overtime system. The speak
crs declared themselves good friends Of tho Al
mnstration" but generally cOncurred in tho aSSer-
ton that Colonel Jones worth more than hall
the Democrats in tho Custom House today senti-
mont which was loudly cheered. resolution was
passed plcdglng the force to appear at rolcal at
o'clock This morning and IL 1t shall appear that any
OF the men laid off for refusing to work yester-
day then all will 60 ont I'm body.
Deputy Collector Williams said yesterday that the
bu ,iness at tho Stores in bad shape owing to
tho refusal OF the mon to work "Tho Government"
he said. &" does not want tho mon to work moro than
eight hours a day. II 10 break mp the over
time system that the force was divided into two
gangs. I have said all can say tn induce them TO
20 to work II they continue to stay ont to force
ms back 10 payment for overtime | would discharge
every man Of them and hire new men. Tho pros
pect for tho business Mon whose goods must pass
through the Public Stores IS not bright one as
matters stand nOw.'