New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-09

PRICES MUST COME DOWN AND WORK
MEN ARE THREATENED

AID loruNeYNEH 10 CONFER.

OFT CUTTING WAGES EMPLOYERS
A%p lornNtYNEH no CONFER
The members 81 the Journeymen Tailors' Pro-
tsctNr and Benevolent Society held a meeting
"Wednesday evening ~ Iieiier's Han FOR the pur-
pos" OF dis ruSsnE q proposed reduction OF wages
paid by the Merchant Tailors' Association. ii So
ccty embracing about 80 prominent merchant
tailoring establishments. employing several thou
sand 3lururyuru In thi4 city. tn Merchant TaioIs'
Association had given notice to the members OF
IN. Iouru~ffnc' 3 Association that business had
been seriously affected by the hard times and that
many customers sail! no longer pny the prices they
have. been paving fur clothes. and therefore re
dueiion 81 prices raust ot necessity follow or Gus
TONERS viii patronize the ready made clothing es-
Adjustments or send their orders to Europe
through the agents now In this country represent
INK nrst-class houses abroad al greatly reduced
prices
The reduction demanded by the Merchant Tall
orr Association Il u per cent and the journeymen
say this means starvation FOR them II they submit
10 It. \ strike t. therefore. threatened II some
agrcem"n; is not speedily arranged between these
two societies.
committee has been appointed by the Merchant
Tanors' Association. W.l,h VIII meet on Monday
nest. \ similar committee has been appointed rep
rc~cntup tho Journey men for the purpose OF settling
all differences rs To- wages, II possible 1t II an
nounccI that there viii be- meeting OF the journey
men This evening AT the Lyceum Opera House.
and mecfiny~ Will be held tomorrow by the jour
meynien In each shop The society VIII meet on
sunday and decide what Instructions shall be given
their committee for tnal action az the Joint meeting
on Monday next
MANY Of the leading tailoring establishments Of
this city have. found their business gradually slip.
ping away. owing 10 the ridiculously eNtfavagant
prices they have been eNHcting for their garments.
and some OF the merchant taiIors are now wonder
ing what has hrcom" of The patrons through "hoil
they have grown rich. Many of the w"-dr"ssed of
have learned that they buy clothes
abroad AT a great reduction from New-iork prices.
they must reduce their prices or loose their Gus
tom. and the workmcn have been asked TO stand
some of the reduction that Will be- forced upon the
talors If they wish to hold their trade.
\ Tribune reporter yesterday called on James
that they were not Interested in The threatened
strike. they are Independent OF all associations
advice of outsiders. They assert that they pay
higher wages To all their help. and therefore their
~ their men receive from 80 to $50 a week. but
when the reporter sifted this statement little
woTkmnm receiving $50 or $50 week had 10 en-
poy extra help and this hiGh-priced man a. the
end Of the week would not average 10; himself over
croncy & Lent. No 9,3 Flfth-aye. told The Trlb-
reporter that they were no; members OF the
association. but added that wages are too nigh
rhey say that the present cost OF labor on 1il,
about 20 per cent for the materials there would
made it clear to the reporter that they could never
afford 10 reduce prices without the workmeh be
Ing paid smaller wages
John Patterson Il CO. said Ia the reporter that
they did not advance the price Of their clothing
under the Mckinley law. and recently they have
reduced their prices 10 or - per cent $3.50
Since the agitation with reference TO ne wilson
bill they have practically done no business. ana
fear they must SIN make a further reduction IN
order to stimulate business. As 10 wages. tneir
best men earn In busy season from $40 10 $50 "A
week ana in dun times from so to SIS week
averaging through the year about go week
\. J. Connck. OF No. go F'Ifth-ave: Gayanagh,
Sanford AZ CO.. Twenty-third-st. near Ftfth-ave,
and Vredcnburgh 4 Brooks No. 1I Fifth-ave.
made about the same statements as were given
by the others mentioned