New-York tribune., 1893-11-30
A FIGHT AGAINST HATMdKERS UNIONS.
POSITION OF THE LOCKEDOUT OPERATIVES AT
DANBURY-THEHs CONNECTION WITH
TILE 4. OF l..

Danbury Conn., Nov. 20 (SpeciaD-The most
serious Industrial conflict which has ever occurred
IN the history of Connecticut is now in progress
between the proprietors OF the nat -tctories OF
Danbury and the hatmakers. Fully 400 men and
women are out of employment. nineteen hat fac
tories are closed and there is daily loss Of 5000
in wages Hamaking is practically the only in
dustry in Danbury. While the tariff enters largely
into the industry. 1t apparently has niue 10 90
with the present trouble. In 1879 the hat manuiact-
urers formed the Fur Hat Manufacturing Asso-
cation, which entered into contract with the
unions. agreeing to submit asl disputed questions
to a board of arbitration. While. prior to 1855. Dan
bury produced more than 30 l-3 per cent of all
the fur hats made in this country its output re-
Gently has been less than z, per cent ine manu- @
that they have lost business because they couid
not compete with manufacturers OF other cltes
who have ignored the labor unions
a few years ago Danbury made one-hali @ tne soIt
hats in the country; just before the cui-down al
most were made. The manufacturers laid the
matter before the unions ana asked for new
the manufacturers decided TO close their shops
They say they will not reopen them until they
can hire men without reference to any union.
Crofut & Whites Is the only large factory not in
The eOm5s n and WdaarS s as1 hg o and
Michael Deury also continue in operation.
Tine Sr he can d S to
Samuel Gardner, foreman at Crofut Whites, said
sSssSe B. co Prince C voT hoe ana c &
Philadelphia all pay more than union rates IL He
y. i..d
factories operated under union rules not com
planning of a lack of prosperity because of the
so-called yoke OF the unions. The manufacturers
ask the workmen to agree to the following:
First promptly to furnish all help required in
Fur Hat Manufacturers Association: secondly
more apprentices for all; thirdly entire freedom
TO hire members of trade unions and apprentices
by the day without restrictions: fourthly freedom
to employ helpers: filthy, improved methods az
TO arbitration.
Said President Edward Target, of the Fnishers'
I'nion: "Our union have agreed to the first ana
the second. The third agreement was practically
agreed to- and so the fifth. The fourth was
oualified so as TO define what work could be done
Sy the helpers The only thing that stood out
on is where they asked TO have us adopt measures
which threatened TO down union"
While II Is not generally understood that the
hatters are members of the Knights OF Labor, II
"a n fact nevertheless and. while they have sep
ara,e organizations. the trmmers, the hnshers
owl the makers dual societies. For instance.
while the trimmers members of Hat Trmmers'
i,nion No. l. this organization is also Jesse ID.
stevens Assembly. X. of L. Delegates have been
sant 10 the session of the Knights Of Labor.
ond the whole subject has been laid before the
supreme officers. who have promised all the neces-
sary assistance A., ,,n.. -.o. l.. "a g.,
,,se n Finishers LOO: makers, l.l00: trimmers
lows cSe and coners and shippers 200 There is nc
i,v 10 rrei over wages The average price paid the
qnia,aS qnar,aSs vyorkmen is sls week The women earn
skiien average 50 for a week of sixty hours
2.na.s ~, ~ n,usf be resumed before January 15 OF
the entire spring trade VIII De lost.