New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-26
THE CLOTHING FIGHT BEG UN
SEVEN HUNDRED CUTTERS LOCKED OUT.
IT WILL BE BITTER sTEUGGLE-15,ooo PERSONS
MAY BE AFFECTED.

1T WILL BE BITTER sTEUGGLE-l5ooo PERSONS
NAY BE AFFECTED.
In accordance with their threat. the members
Of the Clothing Manufacturers Association
ordered a general lockout of their cutters yester-
day at noon About fifty OF the leading clothing
establishments Of the city discharged 700 clothing
cutters. In several Of these establishments the
Knights of Labor joined the lockedout men. as
did also several non-union men. The men who
were discharged were all members Of the Cloth
ing Cutters Union, branch of the United Car
ment Workers, OF America, which organization Is
affiliated with the American Federation of Labor
The discharge of 700 Federation clothing cut
ters is the beginning of one OF
the most important labor troubles that
have ever taken place in this city. 1t means
that the entire clothing trade of the United
States may be- paralyzcd for weeks. and perhaps
months. II means that from 1000 to 10000
persons who depend for a living upon their daily
wages may be idle for months, causing great
suffering and rcstcssncss among the miserable
victims Of the sweating system. These people
are always miscraby poor and consequently rest
less and dissatisfied with the existing social CON
ditions. The thousands of poor tailors usually
called sweaters" who depend entirely upon the
activity Of the cutters, dread the outlook Even
in busy times. called prosperous, they toll from
early daylight far into the night, bending over
their benches and sewing machines, and scarcely
daring to lift an eye from their tasks. Naturally
they are worried over the Consequences OF the
lockout that began yesterday. All day yesterday
cAcitcd groups of " sweaters discussed the sltua-
ton In East Side coffee houses and assembly rooms.
The 700 cutters who were locked out met yes
terday afternoon in Beethoven Hall, No 2l0
FIithst., where sixty non-unon and knights Of
Labor cutters were initiated into the Federation.
Harry White. secretary OF the United Garment
Workers Of America, made the following state
mcnt to Tribune reporter:
Our men are enthusiastic and firm. Not one
OF our members has deserted. The Knights Of
Labor are trying to carry out plan by which
their members will take the places of our men
who were locked ont to-day. They propose to
90 around to the different shops where their m,n
are employed and induce fow from each shop
to take .hc places OF our men. lou scc cutters
skilled workm"n, AMI the supply il never
equal to the demand 80 the Knights of Labor
propose 10 divide up their cutters among the var
ous firms that locked out our men. This move
mcnt. however has met with poor encouragement
far th" Knights were required To Sgn an
agreement to TAX" The places Of tho loclcd-out
men. They are not anxious to 20 record a.
EfalS. waiter N'>lnIook master NoIkildn al
the knights Of Labor Clothing Cutters went 70
TIA" establishment of Rogers, Pcct * co. to-day.
where sixty cutters are employed. Most of tho
cutters there are knights of Labor. Mr.. West
brook asked some Of them Ia take the PAGES OF
our mcn. Rogers Pcct a Co. are not members
Of 'hc Clothing Manufacturers Association. and
are not unfricndly 10 us Mr. Griffin, the fore
man of their cutting room, in the presence OF all
the cutters in the shop, said that If Wcstbrook
purpose he would discharge them all and replace
them with Federation cutters.
The biggest clothing manufacturing firm III
tie world. who's" establishment Is IN hrr"n"-st,
employed 200 cutters or thr~c 200 belonged
Ia the Federation. hc other SN were Knights
Of Labor and thrc" OF tlcS went OUT with IA"
men who wrr" locked ont. leaving only three
enters in that great establishment. III" | ntei
Cloak and Suit Cutters Union. representing co..
men no; ni'ct'~l by TN" lo' kout. hav" inform 'd
that they will strike. If nrccs~dry, T. assist uN
Tn" Cloth Examiner, and >pone"r~ JnI'n Mt,
also agreed to assist IL.
Tia. United Garment Workers of America will
hold "A secret massmrctLr IN IN Beethoven Hall to-
morrow morning. Last evening the United Car
mcnt Workers trades council met AT No. -
East Fourth--t. 10 perfect plans for boy"otilng
all cut garments sent to tailor. from the establish
mcnts of members Of the Clothing Manufacturing
Associations Speaking Of the result of the lock
out Mr. Whit" said: "Ihorr are still 1900
cutters members Of our union, employed III tins
city They have agreed To- give one days pay
10 the lockcd-out men each week whl" the lock-
out is in force W" can parayn ia" entire cloth
ing trade Of the country. | don't say that we
will do 50. but can always play that card, ana
we will play il If necessary.
The manufacturers are confident that they will
win.