Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-24
FIVE FIRMS FIXED.
Founders Are Slowly Giving Way to
the Demands of the Molders.
MORE MEN MARCHING OUT
An Organization will be Formed Uniting
ALI the Molders.
A MANUFACTURER GIVES HIS VIEWS

Another firm signed the molders' demand
for an increase of 10 per cent yesterday-the
Moorhead- McCleane Company, of Soho,
making in all five founders who have made
the required concessions. The Moorhead
men turn in this morning.
The go molders employed by the Pittsburg
Manufacturing Company, who had not gone
into the movement for the increase, struck
work on Tuesday rather than work on orders
for the Scaife Foundry and Machine Com
pany, which had sent in some hurried work
for execution. The men of the latter firm
are also out Yesterday morning the Fisher
Engine, Foundry and Machine Company
molders Joined in the movement. Several
firms have informed their men that they
would give them the increase, but displayed
great unwillingness to say so on paper or to
sign the card, which does not bind them to
the advance for any stipulated time. The
Union Foundry Company made this intima-
ton to its men yesterday, but would not
sign. This firm and the Totten & Hogg
Foundry Company are reported as being
disposed to concede the point
A very large gathering of the molders
assembled in the X. of l.. Hall yesterday
and discussed the situation. Among other
suggestions thrown out during the meeting
was that of
RAISING THE DEMAND
to Is per cent if the cards which had been
sent to the founders were not returned by
certain date, not named No definite action
A IL
up for the Indiana miners and SIS realized.
Mr.. james Hemphill, of Macintosh,
Hemphill & Co., was asked yesterday to in
innate the probable action of the founders,
who were still unheard from, in relation to
the strike. Mr.. Hemphill would only speak
of his own case. He said: II feel that 1
have been shown scant consideration by my
men There was nothing but the friendliest
feelings between US prior to the time they
went out had no idea they were dissatis-
fed with the rates they were being paid until
l received the curt communications demand
ing, on their behalf, an increase of10 per cent.
1 have passed in and out of the foundry
time after time, giving the men or any num-
ber of them acting on behalf of the others,
plenty of opportunities of speaking of any
grievance or of any wrong that was being
done them, but I have not been approached
by any of them. have had no communi-
cation from them of any kind, either before
or after the strike. When the time came
for turning in on Monday morning they
failed to appear, that is all.
WANTED TO TALK IT OVER.
"If any of them had come to me and said
that they wanted more money, and pro-
ceeded to discuss the matter in friendly
way and with an amicable spirit, I would
have unquestionably given the matter
prompt and deliberate consideration. And
have no doubt that we could have arranged
the matter very satisfactorily, too. Such
course would have enabled us to get through
with work contracted for at old rates, be-
cause we could have arranged for any ad-
vance that would be conceded not to come
into effect until, say the 1st of January.
This would have been fair, openhanded
treatment, and preserved the cordiality
which always has existed between u.s."
Mr.. Hemphill further compared the
prices of foundry work here with Phila-
delphia rates. He said that one of his peo-
pie had, on his instructions, inquired into
the cost of such work in the latter city, and
it was found that the men did more work in
the time, and received % per cent less
wages than in PIttsburg.
"Under these conditions of affairs" said
Mr.. Hemphill, sit is not surprising that
so much foundry work that legitimately be-
longs to the Pittsburg trade is taken away
from under our very noses by Eastern
houses. 1t is not very extraordinary that
we fail to hold our own, and now"-and
Mr.. Hemphill shrugged his shoulders as
much as to infer that he could not see how
the end would be. He had no intention of
looking for other men; he wanted all his
stand just as it was until they resumed
work.
WERE AvERsE TO DISCUSSION.
Master Workman Ross was asked WHY it
was that committee from each shop did not
call on the respective firms with view to
ascertaining if the increase would be granted,
and before the circulars were sent round in
such wholesale manner. He said that the
men were averse to putting themselves for
ward in such representative capacity, be-
cause it would not likely have led to any
result and would only have brought down
on them the i'll will Of their employers, as
being leaders in the movement.
There was meeting of manufacturers at
the Renshaw building on Tuesday evening.
Mr.. Evans. of the Rosedale Foundry Cont
pany, presided.
A LENGTHY DISCUSSION.
There was lengthy discussion as to
what action should be taken. 1t is UNDER
stood that some of those present were in
favor of the concession, but withheld any
immediate movement in Difference to the
wish of the others. The precise action de-
termined upon was kept secret.
If q settlement of the dispute is not soon
made it is just possible that other foundry
workers may be brought into it. Founders
cannot get on without their molders, and as
a consequence the men dependent on the
molders for work, will be thrown out of
work.
There are grounds for supposing that the
strike in progress will produce develop
ments other than the mere settlement of the
wage question. At present the molders are
scattered among three different organiza-
tions, each controlled by its own managers.
And it is said that very shortly steps
will be taken to bring all the
men under one banner. This will
have the effect of materially strengthening
them for united action, and the new organi-
zation may yet draw within it all branches
of labor included in foundry work. There
does not seem to be any desire among foun-
ders to import molders from other cities, and
even if they so desired it is doubtful if they
could get supply, as work is reported as
brisk from all the principal centers. There
is reason to suppose that the beginning of
the week will see the matters at issue in a
fair way for Strengthening out.
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