Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-08
A Plain Statement.
SEPTEMBER 7, 1889.

To the Public:
We wish to make few statements in an
swer to what appeared in the morning
papers in regard to the horseshoers' strike.
The master horseshoers claim that the
men have struck so often that they must
draw the line some place.
wish to state that there has been one de-
mand in eight years, and that was for 10
per cent of raise, over three years ago,
which was granted. This is the second one
in that time
want to let the public know what the
journeymen have done for the master horse
shoers of Pittsburg and Allegheny.
We'organized their present union over
three years ago, and compelled men to join
whom they bad no influence over, with the
help of the organized labor of Allegheny
county. 1t Is not over three months ago
since we took into their organization about
SIX shops that they have been trying to get
to join them for over three years.
They are now getting at an average from
DOC to Toe per set more for shoeing than be-
fore we organized them.
They claim they cannot pay 25c q day
more to the workman. It may be 30, but we
claim they can. We would like to see them
make more money, and if they are not max
ing enough they can charge for the shoeing.
In answer to DR.. Doris, who is not horse
shoer, and cannot be expected to know as
much about the business as the man who
makes his living at it, we affirm that we are
not better paid than any other class Of me-
chanlcs, and there are no other mechanics
but the horseshoers at the present time work.
ing ten hours for days work
We asked them to give us nine hours for
days work, and they objected, stating
that it did not suit their business. Wehave
now made 9 demand to get off at o'clock
on Saturday, and they claim that the public
would be ineonvenienced by that. l say
the public can get shoe on in any shop to
last till the next week. We offered to leave
a man in each shop to tighten and put on
shoes for the accommodation of the public.
and if they can close the shops up for a
whole week. only tightening shoes they can
surely afford to close up at l o'clock on Sat
urday.
He spoke Of the jeurneymen being great
soendthrifts, and drank most OF their money.
know that is true, but ! am willing to COM
pare the journeymen with the master
shoers. wish to inform the master shoers
that we don't have to call on any outside
parties to carry on our strike, as we have
brains enough among ourselves.
We were open for arbitration in the first
place, and the bosses made no reasonable
propositions, therefore we are in this fight
to win. -}t.
In regard to advertising for men, they
could not get enough men in twelve months
to fill our positions.
W. j. Moore wishes to contradict state
ment which appeared in the morning papers
with his name attached, that the masters
made 80 per cent, as he made no such state
ment. He knows as well as any man at the
business what bosses can make, but that is
to himself.
A word to. the masters before closing, that
instead of bringing all our influence to bear
against the shops that do not belong to your
union. we will bring it to bear. with the help
Of the labor organizations, against the shops
that hire scab labor.
We are not looking for sympathy from the
public, but we just wish to give you few
facts, which cannot be denied.
We have won the fight now. as our men
are returning to work, some every day, re-
ceiv1ng the demand
A MEMBER OF THE JoURNEYMEN.