Evening journal., 1893-01-07
is IT WAGE REDUCTIONS
IRON WORKS MEN AND MASTERS
DIFFER AS TO THE TROUBLE.

Employees Amrm That They Must
Either Work for Lower Pay or Not
at All and Employers Say That the
Wage Scale Has Not Been Lowered.
The employees of the Johnson Forge
Company declare that that company In
tends to make a reduction in their wages,
and the company claims that no reduc-
tion is contemplated. The works have
been closed for repairs since December
"a, and will resume work they say, on
Monday next.
One of the employees Of the forge de-
partment of the works said yesterdays
1.-The foreman of the pudding depart
ment on the Wednesday before Christ
mas informed the puddlers aud other EN-
ployes. except the laborers, that after the
| holiday repairs were completed redue
| tion Of 10 per cent, would 60 into effect.
The men protested and said they would
not work under the reduced scale, Now,
that the Diamond State Iron Works have
resumed a reduction of 20 instead Of 10
per cent. is rumored.
Another employe Of the same depart.
ment said, ''If there Is only reduction
made IN our department, l will not sub
nit and most all Of the workmen will
also refuse.
The assistant superintendent Of the
establishment said: 1--WE have been mis-
quoted in the newspapers of late, and
the publication Of the statement that we
intended making n reduction In wages Is
one Of them. Twice a year we shut
down for week TO make repairs On
December "a we closed our works for this
purpose, and no official intimation was
made that we would reduce the scale of
wages when the men resumed work.
The employees have all kinds Of rumors
Ia circulation because we did not start
up lass Monday We will start up on
Monday next, but no notice of reduction
has been officially Issued "
Eyes, said puddler in the Old Ferry
mill yesterday afternoon, I'VE had to
submit and 20 to work at a reduced rate
of wages or loaf all winter. We were
getting 1915 a ton for iron and now we
get &3.25. The roughers were reduced
2 cents a ton and others proportionately
We held several meetings aud decided to
go TO work, which we did on Wednes.
day"
A laborer at the Diamond State works
sa d that the workmen would 60 TO work
on Monday. "Our wages used to be 81
week or III cents an hour By the new
scale we will get but IL cents anhour. We
will work nine hours day during the
winter and earn 90 cents for day Is
work, Out of this we must pay rent
and taxes buy clothing, provisions and
other necessaries of life.
The officials OF the Diamond State
company have no statement for publlca
tion, other than that repairs have been
completed and work will be resumed on
Monday morning
In sympathy with other manufacturer
Of iron the Marshallton iron works
company of Marshallton, has decided tC
make reduction in the wages Of their
employees. Notices were posted in this
mills on Wednesday and will 60 intt
effect on Monday. The puddlers have
! been receiving 1915 per ton and will in
the future get but $325. The sheet
iron men will receive a reduction OF
about per cent. The laborers wages
will be 80 cents a day.
A number Of the employees say that
4 the reduction was uncalled for and hac
! it not been for other mills making re.
, duction no change would have beer
/, made. They are poor men and cannot
resist in the face of the winter. About
ten years ago the men went out on {
strike and lost and fear that they vii
, have the same experience now.
/ Other employees are entertaining the
idea OF refusing to work under the new
, scale. Which portion of the employees
! will have the ruling power remains to be
l seen. A conclusion will be reached be
fore Monday
The men who went out on a strik'
I from the f'tight" mill several weeks age
4 have submitted to the manufact urers
/ terms and have returned to work.