Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-12-26

A Statement From the Local Union of
6lassworkers.

A Statement From the Local Union OF
Glassworksrs.
| TothS Editor Of the REGISTER:
Mr.. A. D. Seamon, President OF the
Buckeye Glass Company. in his state
ment to the public through the Evening
Times, of Martins Ferry, and also in
one Of the Wheeling dailies, makes the
following assertions:
First-That all his old employees were
discharged atthe end o. the blast In
June, '93, and were instructed to apply
for positions when work was resumed,
and that, therefore, the non-union men
whom he is now importing are not TAX
! ing the places of the old employees
7 Second-rhat the old workmen were
called in aud the situation explained to
them.
Third-He makes the assertion that
there has been no strike at the BUCK
eye, and that it was simply ruse OF
the men to secure benefits.
Fourth-That he has been operating
his plant at loss OF from 20 TO 25 per
cent. for several years past.
FlftL-That he does not ask this re-
duction in wages, meaning the 20 to 20
per cent. above referred to.
The above statement would not have
been noticed through the press oY the
Flint Glassworkers had there been any
thing like fair and just presentation
made of his side of the case; but as he
has seen fit to make some glazing mis-
statements in order TO gain public sym
patty and create the impression that he
is a much-abused and particularly
down-trodden man, we simply wish TO
present our reply to the above to the
public and let them be the judge as
to whether or not the assertions made
by him have the sterling ring Of truth.
[n answer TO the first statement On
or about June 0, 1893, was the end OF
the blast at the Buckeye, and all the
men working there who intended con-
tinulng in the employ OF the company
the succeeding blast were instructed to
sign their names in the firms book on
June l6. Every flint worker employed
there signed for the next blast, and
their names are now on the company's
book. II the pages are not now torn out
or the book destroyed. This proves
beyond the shadow OF a doubt that they
had positions with the firm. Whether
the non-uniouists now being imported
will be taking their places or not we
leave TO the public. As to being in
structed TO apply for positions when
work was resumed, we most positively
aud emphatically deny 1t.
Second-Two of our members received
letters from Mr.. SeamOn in which he
stated that he wanted them to call at
the Office OF the firm on a certain day, we
suppose to have the situation explained
to them" The men. called aud after
beating about the bush foG some time
they were asked il they intended stand
ing by the union. o. receiving an
affirmative reply they were quickly
dropped without having had the stu
alton explained" None OF the other
employees were called 10, and with the
exception of one proposition, which we
give below, no attempt was made by the
firm TO explain" To the members
through the local union.
Third-After the national convention
of glassworkers held at Marion, Ind. In
July '93 the firm was presented with
the union list, but Mr.. Seamon absolute
ly refused to recognize IL; we were
therefore locked out and the trade
UNANIMOUSLY granted US benefits. Our
national officers uphold the position we
have taken in the matter. II this Is a
ruse to get benefits the ruse is all on
the side Of the firm.
Fourth-No sane person will believe
that the Buckeye Glass Co. or any other
company loves its employees so well
that they would operate for several
years at loss OF from 20 to 25 per cent
each year. Further comment unneces-
sary.
Flfth-The only proposition ever
made to the men by Mr.. Seamon was
TO suffer a 25 per cent reduction on