Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-12
In THELABOR, WORLD.
The Industrial Events of the Last
Week Carefully Reviewed.
COKERS SCALE ON A 81 so BASIS.
Traction and Electric Strikes Making Very
Little Progress.
GOOD PROSPECTS FOB WINDOW GLASS

The most important industrial happening
of the week has been the presentation of
new scale to the coke operators. The scale
was submitted on Thursday to a committee
consisting of Superinten dent Lynch, of the
Frick Company; Brennan, of the Mcclure
Company, and Morris Ramsey. Of the Sonth-
west Coke Company, but no comment was
made upon it, and the conference adjourned
to meet next Thursday.
The scale is voluminous and covers every
branch of labor employed in coke produc-
| ing. The scale is of a sliding nature, with
81 90 taken ss the basis. When the selling
price advances above 81 80 at the ovens, the
wages and prices of the operatives shall ad-
vance in proportion. Thus when coke sells
at % per ton the miner, who, under the new
scale, would be paid 81 05 for dry mining
in rooms, would receive an increase of 80
cents, or about 81 cents per ton, and so on
through the various grades. The superin-
tendents have been figuring on the increases
in the proposed scale over the old, and find
that they run from 30 per cent to 125 per
cent.
By next Thursday they will have prepared
schedules showing comparative statements
| of the old and the new wages, and they will
use them as arguments for a modification of
the proposed scale. The existing scale is
held by the workers to cease on the 9th Feb
ruary, on 80 days notice given the opera
tors prior to the 9th of the present month.
DETERMINED WORKERS.
This notice has been given. While the
workers are determined to carry the pro-
posed scale, feeling confident in their organ
lied strength TO do so, it is to be hoped that.
when the conference opens, the scale will be
considered by both sides in such spirit as
to lead to an amicable arrangement.
The Traction and Electric strikes seem rot
to have had the startling results at one time
predicted tor them. And neither does it
seem that organized labor is paying very
much attention to either. The Fifth avenue
strike has resulted in some 40 or 30 men los
ing their work without any hope of carrying
their point for the road is now being oper-
ated by non-union men, and may be said to
be lost.
A circular issued during the week from
the Knights of Labor headquarters and
calling upon union men and their friends
to use some other road, will only have the
effect of reducing the company's receipts
without providing any possibility of the
men being reinstated. These men are now
receiving strike benefits, and are organizing
ball to provide supplementary funds. |
They look forward to the opening Of the |
CentralIroad to obtain employment.
The American Federation of Labor Off |
cially sanctioned the strike of the eIectri- |
clans, but the result does not seem to be |
what was expected. The dynamo men and |
engineers ignored the call to go out, and |
remained at their posts, while the places of |
those who struck were quickly filed. Yes
terday it was said that a number of the |
strikers are contemplating returning. 1t is
expected, in certain quarters, that aggres-
sive action regarding the strike will yet be
taken.
GOOD OUTLOOK FOR GLASS.
The outlook for the window trade is re-
ported as good. Stocks are said to have
been considerably reduced within a short
period, and indications are for higher prices
in the immediate future. The rise in the
foreign article and the advance of 10 per
cent initiated by the Eastern men, cannot
but have effect here. The fact that Mr..
James Chambers has declared his sintention of
cooperating with his associates in maintain
ing prices is regarded in the trade as good
omen, and likely to pave the way for a more
harmonious understanding than existed last
year. The Pittsburg Consolidated Glass
Company is, it is understood, bringing over
good many of its competitors to its way of
thinking regarding the advisability of COM
1OE cCOUOIulC anu DIlC6 MAINTAINING
reasons. Any day may see number of the
men now standing aloof. enter the combine
tion, and it is believed that the ultimate OBJ
ject of the company-that of combining the
entire local trade-will be shortly effected.
Then will follow an understanding between
the three or four combinations, which will
then embrace the trade, as to prices.
"Le roi est mort; vive le roi." James
Campbell has retired from the Presidency
,Gk kl..T H. NJ 1
to enter fresh fields and pastures new, and
on Friday, President Granville W.
Morenus was installed in that position of
By those who know him,
Mr.. Morenus is reputed as a courteous and
gentlemanly man, of strong personalitv,
and while he leans to the side of conserva- {
tism, he is known to be possessed of frmness. !
He is said to be man who will take de-
cided stand in maintaining the principles of
the association to the letter, and to be fear I
less regarding his actions.
AMONG CORK WORKERS. !
The 800 or 600 workers employed in the
cork cutting establishment of Armstrong
Bros. were engaged during the week in con-
,luding the terms upon which they would I
resume work after the holiday recess.
under the system In vogue, the
female workers were unable TO ascertain for
themselves the amount of work performed
or certain remuneration, but in future this
will be remedied by the employment by the
irm of checkmen. The employees are to 4
work one hour and half longer time in the I
week. The scale agreed upon will remain q
n effect for five months.
Both ssides are bracing up their loins for
he eight-hour struggle in May. It is yery
likely that Pittsburg will be the theater of s.
he earliest skirmishes in the campaign. 81
md how the result goes here will be watched
Fith interest throughout the country. The
building trades are those most concerned in
his movement, and considerable interest 4
Ittaches to the trade which will strike the D
irst blow for the short day.
The master builders are preparing for the
ight and at the international convention at G.
It. Paul will take decided steps looking to p
united stand against the innovation. :
The conference on the table ware and
,ressed ware branches scale was concluded
Turing the week. or at least, so far as the
main work is concerned. The manufac-
urers are now considering certain changes
proposed by the 'fints," and when pre-
ared to meet the workers again, will make
ue notification. 1t is understood that some i
+ the changes proposed in the scale are of a
adical tendency, and it is yet moot point
Ihether some considerable discussion will