Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-16
IDLENESS AND TRADE
Many Pittsburg Business Men
Say the Strike Has Not
Injured Them.
A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.
The Loss Of Money Will Be Great
Unless the Trouble Ends.
A CONFERENCE FAVORED BY ALL,
Who Would Like to See 1t Settled Amicaby
to Both Sides.
NOVEL WAY TO BRING THEM TOGETHER
A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.
A CONFERENCE FAVORED BY ALL,
Who Would Like to See 1t Settled Amicaby
to Both Sides,
NOVEL WAY TO BRING THEM TOGETHER

Pittsburg must be standing on q sound
financial basis. if business cannot be affected
BY three-weeks' strike of 5000 men, and
many OF the city's business men declare that
trade was never better. These 5000 mel
should have been paid about 1900 daily,
or in the time they have been out about
500, GOO. This is beside the men who are
directly affected by the strike. Plumbers,
painters, stonemasons, bricklayers and
many oAher trades cannot work because the
carpenters won't, and this cuts off several
hundred thousand dollars from the city s
revenues. Very few cities in the country
could stand this drain on resources as we'll
aS the Iron City
DISPATCH representatives visited num-
Der of Pittsburg's leading business men yes
terday and very few of them would acknowl-
edge that trade is falling off On the
contrary, the majority of them declared
that business never was better at this time
OF the year, and they are "simply rushed to
death" in their efforts to entertain their
customers. The streets are crowded with
people carrying bundles, which is good evil
dence that they are making purchases.
Would Like to See Conference.
OF course, it would be better for all con-
cerned if the strike could be settled imme-
diately instead of waiting until the re-
sources of one or the other are exhausted.
On this account a conference between en-
ployers and employed would please the
majority of the city merchants, but some of
them say they don't care much how it
comes out, and it is question in which they
don't care to meddle.
Joseph Horne was asked how his business
was affected by lhe strike, to which he re-
piled: Business never was better at any
time, and for that reason 1 don't believe we
are affected at all l know nothing more
about it than the fact that we can't complain
Of our business
Mr.. Buhl, of Boggs & Buhl, said: $50
far we cannot notice any falling off in bust
ness, but unless the strike is settled it will
surely come. 1t stands to reason that a
strike in which several thousand men are
concerned is bound TO hurt business. How
ever, if it were settled now don't think it
would be so bad. The men were doubtless
somewhat prepared for their fight and the
money they had saved up will keep them
going long time. But it can't last them
always, and as fast as their money runs out
the business of the city will be hurt.
some Right on Both Sides.
Gas to arbitration, continued Mr. Buhl,
ST have nothing to say. 1t is question to
be settled by the parties directly interested.
Of course, would be glad to see it all over.
/ have made no study of the present trouble
and have no opinion to express. Usually
there is right on both sides. That may be
the ease in this affair.
When asked about the strikes effect on
business the floor walker at Danziger's sig-
aiicantly pointed to the large crowds and
remarked: "This i the wav it has been
right along. All the business we can do
Perhaps the strike hurts some of the bust
ness houses, but we deal mainly in necessi-
ties and would be the last to feel the effects.
When expenses must be cut down people
usually begin on the luXuries and end up on
the necessities. / expect the drygoods peo-,
pie would find it rather dull in some of their
departments, as large bills of goods are not
often purchased when ready money is not as
plentiful as usual Ii is different with
hosiery and other articles in which we deal
as ii is necessary to at all times have a sup
ply OIL hands. -
says Business Is Injured.
A gentleman who travels for a New York
drygOods house says he has no reason for
visiting Pittsburg, as there is no business
going in his line of trade. He attributes it
all to the strike. Of course, some people
buy dress goods, but there is large supply
in stock and dealers don't find it necessary
TO make extensive purchases. They by no
means depend entirely on the rich to dispose
of their fine dress goods.
S. T. Fleishman, of Fleishman & Co., is
also on the side of those who honestly admit
that business is depressed. Said be: "Peo-
pie can say business is good or better than
last year, but il stands to reason that trade
would be depressed by the strike. find it |
so and would be glad to see the |
matter settled up. While we are doing a |
very fair business it is not nearly what it |
ought TO be or would be were it not for the |
strike. With several thousand men out of |
employment many thousands of dollars are |
cut OF from the city's circulation, and as a |
matter of course ii hurts our business |
While L would be pleased if the strike were |
10 end at once L see no other remedy than |
for the men and their employers to settle |
their differences by arbitration or else fight
it out"
People Must Have Clothing,
Manager Solomon, of Gusky's said: $50
far we have come out all right, and | don't |
feel that We will be hurt any unless the
thing continues. People must have cloth
ing, and it will be some time before the
strike comes down to u.s. OF course it will /
if il continues, but we hope to see the end |
much sooner than is expected by most peo-
pie. If it should end now L don't believe it |
would hurt us in the least. AT present we |
are doing an excellent business, much better
than last year at this time. We hope to con-
time, and doubtless will, unless this strike |
lasts much longer"
The manager of W. NJ. Laird's Market |
street shoe store, said about the same as
above. He thought, however, that there
viii be a reaction in a short time, and even
if the strike is settled soon the men will
never catch up, but will have TO take the
money they earn the first few weeks to pay
debts made during the strike.
W. {. Bernardo, the Carson street mer-
chant, says his business has not fallen off
any since the strike began, but, on the con-
LTary, he has advertised for more help in his
store to take care of the increased patronage
How the Strike Might BE Settled.
A Fifth avenue business man offers a
novel plan to settle the strike. He SAYS
hat 1t would be a good scheme to follow |
something after the idea of the boys who !
ned the cats together and threw them across
he clothesline to fight it out In a modi-
1ed form this would be to lock a committee
rom the strikers and one from the master
builders in a room and compel them to re- |
main there until they oould dac;da fba met |