Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-17
UNI0NISM AND PROGRESS.


manufacturer Who Favors the Amalga-
mated, but Thinks 1t Fails to Recog-
nize improvements.
Inc fact has been mentioned of the ap-
france of committee of Pittsburg manu-
1urers before the Congressional Inyestl-
ing Committee last week with request
De heard from their standpoint on the
or question. The Congressional commit
was about finishing its labors, and asked
'se manufacturers TO send on a paper con-
ming their views. That has not yet been
ne. But several manufacturers disas-
lated from the Carnegie company have
IN jotting down notes stating the situa-
n as they see it Some of these will
obably send their views separate
to the committee. Representatives
the Amalgamated Association, also, ex-
t to communicate further with the COM
ttee, especially upon the exhibit of wages
'en by Mr.. Frick for the month of May.
ey say that was an exceptionally good
nth, and are preparing more extended
libit.
leading manufacturer, who says he
0rs the AmaIgamatea Association, and
I'D. if it were conservative in
course, prefer to see it in sue
sful and general operation be-
Use of the check it would be able to place
on hasty and rash strikes, and of its CIV
equal terms to all manufacturers of the
ne class, had prepared paper criticising
at he considers the deficiencies of the
sociation and pointing out the remedies.
was not one of those who appeared be-
the Investigating Committee to ask
ring. but as be represents the most mod
te view of manufacturers uDconnected
b the Carnegie Company it is interesting
give his presentation. This manufact-
r says:
Different Methods of Manufacture.
here is always more or less difficulty in
rting up large concerns. This is natural
idence. At the first starting OF the Home
ad works in 1881, there was serious strike
which the men resorted to violence. The
rl6s were built on the most approved
rs having improvements in machinery,
Dliances and tools. This required an ad-
tment of wages on new basis. The
rkmen opposed this, demanding sched-
: as paiG i'm existing works on old scales
y ages under old methods of manufacture.
= oTkmen fix the minimum basis of wages
b, deCrying any attempt of manufactur-
to reduce prices below what that basis
Is Tor. 1t is the rule OF organized labor
Amalgamated Association of Iron and
81 " Nur1ers-to fix the minimum of bar
u at two ~ cents per pound. knowing
constituents of cost of production, they
land wages assured on iron or steel bars
ing at two ~ cents per pound. To re-
e this u-icC, or sell below cents per
nd, the manufacturers must pay the
res based on 2-cent iron. Manufacturers
constantly seeking improved methods to
apen cost of production, SO as to assure
she consuming public iron and steel at as
zap 4 rate as possible. When improved
chiueTy and methods are adopted which
rease output largely, manufacturers seek
reduce wages per ton, not earnings per
=, for under the adjustment sought to be
ected the average wages per day of the
rEInen are not reduced, but, generally, in
st cases left higher than under the old
ldition.
III" Opposition to Tonnage Reduction.
hese adjustments are opposed by the
lal-amated Association of Iron and Steel
,ckers, though in most cases, as in the
sent Homestead trouble, the tonnage
es of but a small number of the total
nber of hands employed are affected.
te the Homestead trouble. The firm is
ieavoring to reduce the minimum from
TO S23 per ton, 4-inch steel billets actual
ing price SO 80 and under. Only the ton
&c rates in which the output has been
ted-in cases in which daily average
ges earned are very large. These earn
= are not attempted TO be made lower
IN they were before the improved ma
merry was introduced. The rate per ton
with the increased output is such as to
lnise increased, not reduced, daily earn
:.
Snould be observed that with the i'm
ed machinery, the increased output
not entail larger expenditure of
zlp
lIer machinery.
hese adjustments in wages paid have
avs caused more or less friction. They
- been, and are, opposed by labor organi- |
ions md among others by the Arnalga- |
ted Association of Iron and Steel |
,rkers. 1t matters not how small the
mber of hands whose tonnage rates may
affected by the introduction of improved
chinery, there is always much difficulty
bringing about the desired adjustments
tonnage rates that would naturally fol-
/, increased output.
The OH pct Is to Cheaper Products.
t is said that the employers are not justi-
l in making these adjustments. They are
angfuIlv called reductions, etc. The
it is asserted, get all the
.efits. The protective tariff system, etc.,
ssafIed. The tariff is assailed because it
,ns up prices. In this case, the manu-
turers are introducing machinery to
aapen their products. a few years ago
gl biIlets sold for So and SIS per ton, now
Y sell for s22 and S23 per ton. When bill
s were sold at 81 and s2s per ton, the cost
producf ion was over S25 per ton. With
proved machinery, the cost of production
been reduced, and the public get the ad-
ltace in paying but S22 and s23 per ton for
el billets.
he average earnings of this class
woIkmen is over 100 per cent above
rkmen in EnAand. The difficult
,blem in the Homestead case is,
v can fair. equitable adjustments be ar
ged without serious friction and opposi- |
n by the workmen? |
his is the pith of the difficulty. The COM
y sought to adjust wages in conformity |
d new conditions. The men opposed the |
uStment. The men are backed bv the |
..sl sluamated Association of Iron and Steel 1
,rAcrs. They are defant-trouble ensues. |
.e the well ordered and systematic man. |
IN which the workmen are prosecuting |
present struggle. Signs, alarms and |
cr arrangements are complete. The |
alga mated Association never did any /
az of this kind before The indications, |
.refore, are that at Homestead there |
SC be an organization perfect in all its |
Is, intended to make the operations of |
works by other workmen than them |
YES an impossibility.
Low Wages Paid in the East
mother constant source of dispute here |
that the Amalgamated Association OF |
n and Steel Workers has more than one |
is of wages. For instance: They have a |
lie of wages for mills east of Allegheny
untains pla cling boiling at - per ton,
lie the base rate at Pittsburg is S. 80 per |
, or 81 80 per ton above the wages asked |
demanded in the Eastern mills The |
i'm is made that the iron is harder to |
IT.
Is, but we manufacturers dispute that.
other claim made is that the cost of fuel |
ligher in the East. This again is incon- |
5ent, as manufacturers are entitled to |
oy more privileges from natural advant- |
s of location. l
should again be observed that there |
several non-union mills in the Western |
ton at which the rate of wages paid is |
-er than in mills under the control OF the |
Association o. Iron and Steel |
,rkers. The workmen, it will be noticed,
not permitted by the association to |
npete with workmen working in non-