Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-15
THE QUEEN SMILED
When Secretary Geo. L. Cake and His
Friends Raised Their Hats.
SOME IMPRESSIONS OF BELGIUM.
The Machinists' Strike Developed No New
Feature Yesterday.
UNION PAINTERS CONTINUE AT WAR

George L. Cake, Secretary of the Window
Glass Workers Association, is home from
his trip to Europe He and R. P. Chew, the
latter of New Jersey, were the American
delegates to the International Convention OF
Window Glass Workers, which met in Paris
last month. They left Pittsburg In company
with w. NJ. Slicker, President of the Inter-
national Association, on Jnly 3. Mr.. Cake
returned yesterday to his post OF duty. The
convention only lasted four days, and all OF
the business was of routine character, and
of but little Importance outside of the organi-
zation. There was considerable Legislation
of special interest to America. but the exact
nature of it is confined within the limits OF
the association.
Mr.. Cake was seen at his home in Allen
town last night He made some observa-
tions while in Europe. Zone thing the as
sociation did," said he, ''was to compel
Boudiau1 to sign the scale. He has the
largest glasshouse at Jumet, suburb of
Charleroi, and one of the largest in Bel
gium. He Is backed by the Government.
From September he will run strictly
union shop, and mis- will be the first union
shop in Belgium. Just now about 80 per
cent of the glass houses in Belgium are
closed down and trade is little sluggish
owing to fuctuatlng market, but the con-
dition OF the trade for the year will be all
right. '"
Low WAGES IN FRANCE. -
''In Belgium and France the blowers get
fairly good wages, but the other trades are
poorly paid. 1t is no wonder it is so easy
for American manufacturers to import
workmen from Europe, where there are
nearly three apprentices to every journey
man, and wages are low. The majority of
the workmen in Belgium get from l to 8
francs day, which is 20 to 60 cents per day;
and living is Just as high there as it is here.
Good steak sells for 18 cents and boiling
meat at IA cents per pound.
''The manufacturers there, while not
really opposed to a protective tariff, don't
like the Mckinley bill, and one prominent
business man in London asserted to me that
protective tariff for England was the only
way by which industries could be encour-
aged The Mckinley bill increases the
duty on decorated ware from As per cent ad
valorem to 10 cents per pound and 80 per
cent ad valorem simply because there is not
much ware made here. There are not many
decorators here, and the trade does not
amount to much in America.
''The Belgians are tired of their Mon
archial Government and are working for
the dethronement of the King. While we
were there, our secretary, Mr.. Delwarte,
spoke to 1900 people in Charleroi on the
Republican form of government, and pre-
dictions are now being made in all parts of
IL -
Leopold, Belgium will be Republic.
SCIENTIFIC ENGLISH FARMERS. -.
"There is big difference in the tempera-
ture of Europe and America. While we
we're in London, read that the thermome-
ter was all the way from "a to
1O4 in New York, while in London it
was less than 800 in the shade. The farmers
of England know their business You
don't see farms going to waste there. The
country roads are in frst-class condition.
Antwerp was the only place where we found
frame buildings; brick is in almost uni
versal use The farmers had not commenced
to cut their grain when we were there.
London is full of beggars. In Paris and
Belgium begging is not allowed, but it can
not be prevented then. In England if
man is but a house renter he can vote, but
in Belgium and France a man must be
property holder before he can vote"
The party had an opportunity of seeing
and speaking to the Queen while Her
Majesty was on her way to a garden party
in Hyde Parke given by the Prince of
Wales It was on the Monday following
the party's arrival from New York. The
three had engaged carriage, and a cousin
of Bill Nye was in the party. A good posi-
ton was secured, and when Her Majesty
passed the Pittsburg the Queen bowed and
smiled pleasantly. The party was highly
elated.
Everything about the trip passed off pleas
antly, and the delegates were satisfied with
the treatment they received while there.