Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-08-11
A REDUCTION OF WAGES.
Unpleasant News for the Em-
ployes of Delaware Iron Works.

The Prorrietors of The iiig New Castle
Concern Make a Cut of 20 Per Cent in
Wages--How the employees View the
Movement.
Special Correspondenceoi Gazette and journal
New CASTLE, Aug, a--The employees OF
the Delaware iron works, who have been
idle for period OF nearly six weeks,
started to work yesterday i'll tho best Of
spirits over the prospects of 4 busy season
and steady employment. liut their hopes
We're soon blighted when their eyes fell on
notices posted in conspicuous places
throughout the mills that, beginning to-
day, August Sth, there would be a rednc
ton of - per cent On the wages of all
pieCe.w workers"
II is generally understood, however
that this is the signal for general cut and
before the week is out every employe of
the company will be effected. No cause
was assigned for the big reduction, but
many attribute IL to the dullmcss of the
iron trade throughout the country and the
failure Of the firm 10 compete successfully
with the western Pennsylvania iron mills,
who have the advantage over these works
of being i'll close proximity to natural gas,
coal and oil. Ii is said that the cut has
been long contemplated by the firm, whose
dividends for the past year have been far
below the average,
works include pipscutters, Socket-maliers,
tlue.cutters and other machine hands, he
sides the welderS, welders' helpers, LendGfs
and monlders Some of these have been
reduced 10 and Is per cent. while others
claim their wages hereafter will be as
much as % and 30 per cent lower than
formerly. One Of the machine hands, in
an interview With THE GA2ETTE's cor
respondent last night, stated that where he
made from Sf2 to $l3 week before under
The new scale, it would be impossible for
MIN to earn over so a week at the highest.
He also said that "A number of his fellow
employees, including himself, approached
the superintendent of his department in
order TO demonstrate with HIM but the
latter Conlly told them that if they were
not satisfied they could get out Of the shop
rs quickly AS possible.
Only three furnaces were started yester-
day. and consequently the mills resumed
with comparatively small force, esti-
mated at about 700 men.
Many of the other employees, VINO have
large families. are willing to work ut the
new wages, owing to the fact that they
cannot at present better themselves but
they started for the works both yesterday
and this morning only to be told that
their services were not required, at least
Tor the present. There are many others
however, who will not work under the re-
duction and scores of them are already on
the hunt for positions elsewhere.
Inquiry at the office this morning as to
the cause Of The cnt and Just how many
men would suffer by ii, failed to get the
desired information, as superintendent
Rorie and the other attaches of that de-
partment refused to talk ON the matter.
The yard and floor laborers, who only re-
ceive from ST to 81 per week, fear they will
also be cut down before the week is out.
The Delaware iron works are operated
by Morris Fasker 4 Company Of Philadc-
pha. and employ when in full operation
over $40 men. The manufactures include
wrought iron, gas, oil and water pipe. and
boiler tubing, besides trolley poles, street
lamps Nc.
There is no talk of strike among the
men, but it is said an effort is ON foot
among them to hold a conference with the
members of the firm in regard to making
| some kind of compromise. Business in
New Castle continues to suffer and the de.
preston is being already felt throughout
the city. Two hundred and fifty men are
at work to-day at the mills.