Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-13
PLENTY OF WORK AND PAY FOR 1T.
Thousands of Building Lots Sold to Wage
Workers Who Mean to Have
Homes of Their Own.
NO STRIKES AT ALL OF CONSEQUENCE.
Prospects Of Continued Good Fortune Generally consd-
cred Bright

Inquiry made at the headquarters of most
OF the leading trades yesterday confirmed
this statement, and also developed the fact
that the outlook for number of months to
come is encouraging.
Probably the most prosperous of any OF
the trades is that of the builders. The
amount of work accomplished during the
present year is regarded by them as phen-
omenal In buildings of superior cost the
average far exceeds that of any previous
year in the history OF the city. The German
National and Pittsburg National Bank of
Commerce buildings, the Bindley hardware,
Arbuthnot-Steveuson, Vandergrift, DIS
PATCH, Marine Bank and other splendid
buildings that have either been completed
or are in course of construction, are pointed
to in the lower portion of the city as evil
dences in support of this assertion, to say
nothing of the great number of fine and sub
stantial residences.
WOrkingmen Building Their Own Homes.
Wages have been high, employment
steady, and many of the men have been in
vesting fair per cent of the proceeds of
their toll in something substantial. A
the building interests said: Never in the
history of Pittsburg have so many mechanics
in this particular branch started out with
the intention of securing homes as during
the present year. Hundreds and thousands
of building lots have been sold to them, and
in many instances houses are now in course
of construction. Whatever NAV be said for
or against the reduction of the hours of
labor, it has certainly mad the effect of lift
ing workingmen still further above the con-
ditions Of slavery, and they are appreciating
the fact that life is not one round OF toll. 1t
gives men a chance for mental improve
ment, and their home lives are becoming
more interesting. This in itself stimulates
desires among laborers and mechanics to
have homes of their own, and the results are
as 1 have indicated"
An Encouraging Prediction Made.
At the headquarters of the Amalgamated
Association, Mr.. Garland, chief assistant to
President Weihe, said the general condition
of the men was fully as good as it had been
for years, and that the outlook for three or
four months to come at least is good for
plenty of work. He would rot make pre-
dictions for any longer time than this,
though he had no reasons to think that the
prosperity would not continue He said
the association had been quite free from
disastrous strikes or other troubles during
the year, and that employment had been
uniformly steady. There had been some
idleness caused chiefly by the shortage of
natural gas, but this trouble had been and
was being remedied as rapidly as possible.
As for HvauaS thew nainad fvad fropo
to year.
The flint and window glass workers re-
port steady work since the fires were lighted
in the tall. In the former branch there is a
little lull at the present time, which is
usually the experience during the holiday
period. So far as wages are concerned, thev
have been good, although, as is known, the
limit is fixed and cannot be exceeded. The
scale OF wages In some of the departments
comes up during the next few weeks for
consideration, but no trouble is anticipated
During the year the demand for day
laborers has been very great, and the rate of
wages up to the average standard. The con-
struction of miles and miles of street rail-
roads in the two cities has given thousands
OF men work, to say nothing about the many
big contracts of another kind. In many In
stances contractors have been forced to bring
them in from outside places.
Great Scarcity of Laborers.
As showing the scarcity Of competent
laboreTs, the Schenley Park difficulty NAV
be referred to as one example. For several
weeks operations were almost entirely sus-
pended there in consequence of the inability
of Superintendent Mcknight to get men.
At present there are many big contracts
under way and others TO be started, such as
the repaving of many streets in Allegheny
that will last for months to come.
As for the railroads and rivers, their busi-
ness has been simply immense. The rail-
roads in particular have been overrun with
freight, and thousands of men have been
overworked instead OF not having enough to
do, and reports from all sources indicate
that these conditions prevail to a very large
extent at the present time. The coalboat
stages of water have been more numerous
than for years, and the shipments have been
very large in consequence. There have
been no serious strikes among the miners OF
the vicinity, and the upward tendency ofthe
prices for coal cannot be considered other
than encouraging to this large class of
laborers.
Master Workman Evans Of d. A. No. g
knights of Labor, is one of the men in this
city who is thoroughly posted on. the labor
situation as 1t affects great many organ
izations. He said last night:
Steady Work and Good Wages
81 feel that organized labor should be
very well satisfied with the results of the
year, so far as this section OF the country is
concerned, at least. We have had no strikes
of any consequence. Wages have been
good, we have gained in strength and have
also gained considera bic for many bodies
of working people, while there has
been steady employment for all, as a
general rule. The boiler makers and sales
men,about 200 strong, all told, have secured
a reduction of hours. The teamsters, about
130 strong, have had their wages increased.
Drivers of single rigs have secured an ad-
vance of from $40 to S12 week. and of
teams from S12 to S13. The warehousemen.
$50 strong, have gained an advance of 81
week, and a scale of wages for next wear
asking for another advance is under copsid-
Grafton. The conductors on the Citizens
Traction Company system have been ad-
vanced from 81 Is per dav to g 80, and the
gripmen from 81 25 to 50 35 The Birming-
ham Traction Company's employees will no
doubt get the same prices when the road is
put in operation. The two roads have about
300 men who will be benefited.
Reduction in Hours of Labor.
'Among the window glass workers the
mixers and teasers have gained something
in the matter of wages, as have theatrical
employees. All the machinery molders,
representing a very strong organization,
have had an advance of 10 per cent. The
boxmakers, about 100 in number, have also
gained an advance in wages. The cork
workers, some 900 in number, have gained
reduction of five hours o week in the total
hours OF labor, and a small per cent of ad-