Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-22
BLOWERS BACKS UP.
Green Glass Men Reach the Pinnacle
of Theif Discomfort, and
MAY CALL ASPECIAL CONVENTION
Engineers Down to Work, While the Ladies
Continue Theirs by
ELEcTIKG DEPARTMENTAL OFFICERS

Disafection among the green bottle blow
ers has reached the point of open rebellion
against the present management Of the Ma
tional Assembly There is talk of calling
a special convention, impeaching AIRING
ton and the board, and OF either electing
other officers or seeding from the Knights
OF Labor.
The primary cause of discomfort is trace
able to the strike which is still in progress in
the East. 1t is not forgotten that at the be-
ginning of last year the members had
over $4,000 in their treasury. This
has disappeared in support of the strikers,
and special sums raised for the purpose as
WELL To still provide for the sustenance Of
the 1000 strikers an assessment or per
cent was raised at the beginning of the year.
This amounts to a tax OF from 81 80 to 50
per week which each member has to con-
tribute out of his wages. 1t is charged that
under Arrington'e administration the East
ern strike, instead of gaining ground, has
lost it.
There are now Is non-unioD factories in
the East altogether, being seven more than
there were before Arrington's assumption to
Office. These factories pay their men from
Is to 45 per cent less wages than rule in
union houses. The men employed
in them are stated to be as skilled
workers, or as nearly so, as their union
rivals, any way, the result of their work is
to enable the Eastern manufacturers to enter
into an unfair competition with the West
ern makers. The latter in turn are looking
to their own, all of whom are union, for
some protection against this non-union and
under paid labor. which gives their Eastern
competitors such a great advantage over
them.
REPRISALS FEARED BY LABORERS.
Local glass workers fear reprisals at the
hands Of the manufacturers when the next
wage scale comes round for settlement, and
don't want to be caught unprepared. This,
however, is but one source of discomfort.
The scale of wages which rules is not that ap-
proved Of by the Baltimore convention of July
last. 1t is charged that the Conference Com
mittee which met the manufacturers, departed
from their instructions and reduced the rates
on an average of IL per cent under last years.
At the Baltimore convention the vote to secede
from the knights Of Labor was only lost
through the influence of Powderly, and the
Executive Board. POwderly will require every
vote he can command at the Denver General
Assembly to save his position as Master Work
man. He looks to the Green Glass League for
considerable help in this regard.
The eliminating point in the dlsaHection en-
gendered by the foregoing and other causes
was reached when the full meaning of AIRING
toms cooperative plan became known. In
circular issued some time ago he made good
hos asN,, ia
ganization has proven an absolute failure to
provide its members with that protection which
is so much desired" This circular advocated
the adoption of integral cooperation, and was
as feeler for what was to follow.
The plan was discussed at Baltimore, and the
assembly decided TO adopt it by two-thirds
vote. But since that time the thinking men of
the order have weighed the scheme, aud claim
to find in it n means whereby Messrs. Arlington
and few others may become manufacturers
at the expense of their fellow workers.
A SIGNIFICANT CIRCULAR.
A circular issued from the National office at
n. y. is signed by Arlington and at
tested by Longtoft. Iu conformity with the
scheme proposed levy of 80 cents q month on
each member in payment of capital stock in
the concern was authorized. The payment was
not voluntary, but was made compulsory.
After tatng that the recommendations were
indorsed by the Executive Board
First-That the capital stock OF one hundred
dollars (s0G per member) be the limit for the first
five (5) wears, the same to be divided into fye
payable at 80 cents per week, not less than two
dollars ls2l per month. or s2o per year:
who may feel disposed to pay up in part, or all of
his capital stock, to do so soon as possible, and
that al suc pad n % sareS ar sm pear R % per @
paid semi-annually, viz: January and July Of
aI,, nj n ma II n
below that rate, which time shall be January OF
each year. until the whole capital stock Of the
Third-That the National Secretary be directed
to prepare the necessary blanks. ETC. for use, and
to commence from September l, 1896.
And then is added:
THE REAL VALUE OF LABOR.
While. in productive cooperation, your small
investment is secured in the business itself, and
the real value of your labor is further secured,
because, you receive Tin the direct method of
its fullest market value, and as the
market huctuatcs, SO must the value of your
abor and that ut all times you receive all that 1t
Is really worth. But to-day you only get what
some one else thinks IL is worth. and u good deal
Of grumbling about IL at that. while there is a
very strong effort being made to force 1t from you
much cheaper, and am strongly impressed with
the belief, that unless change is made there will
chances are greatly in our favor. by prompt action
been taken.
The proposition of Arlington and his aSso-
ciates was to stablish factories and enter the
field as competitors with the manufacturers.
With this view, negotiations were opened for
land at Hammerton, near Philadelphia, at New
Philadelphia, O., and at Elwood in Beaver
county. This latter lot was offered at So 900.
But a sudden and complete stop has been put
to the cooperative scheme. The trade over
The country was made up over it, and the final
kick was soon made.
OPPOSITION TO THE SCHEME.
The Bridgeport. O., men unanimously de-
;ided that they would not contribute to the
plan. The assessment of 80 cents collected
since the 1st of September, which now amounts
20 goodly sum. rests in their hands, and there
It will remain. Local Assembly Gill followed
suit. Bya vote on last Friday night it decided
not TO support the scheme, and is now consider
ng what to do with the thousands of dollars
Is members have raised at 80 cents a week
since September !.
Many members are now sorry that the with
travail from the Knights was not accom-
Dlished at Baltimore. There is a strong feel
nr that things cannot go on as they are until
next July. and that decided steps should be
taken. There is open talk OF calling u special
convention to consider the condition of the
,rade and elect new officers Whether this
will be done before the General Assembly next
month is a moot point. It is certain, however.
hat strong measures will be taken before the