Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-07-22
FIFTY MEN STRIKE,
PudiIers at Old Dominion Works
Demand Higher Wages
THEIR DEMAND NOT GRANTED.
As a Result They Have Refused TO
Work Longer.
CLARKE's STATEMENT.
VI X.
He Says the Wages Paid Are Based
on the Scale in Force in Harris
burr. md That the Men VIII Ac-
compIish Naught by Their Action.

Fifty puddlers of the Old Dominion
Iron and Nail-Works, on Belle Isle, are
out on a strike for higher wages. These
men have recently had their wages raised
from $3.50 to 1915 per ton OF iron pud-
died, but they demanded 81, and in conse-
quence that portion Of the plant is shut
down and the puddlers are walking the
streets.
The strike began last Tuesday night. a
committee from the workmen waited on
Mr.. Arthur b. Clarke, the president Of
the works. and made known their de-
mands. MI Clarke told them they were
getting the same wages that the puddlers
OF Harrisburg, Pa, were getting, and
had just been given an Increase, because
of the increase accorded to the worllmen
| OF the Harrisburg plants. lie also re-
minded them of what little notice they
had given him of their demands and
purposes.
THINK THEY ARE JUST.
A Dispatch writer talked with one Of tho
men last night and from him he gathered
| that the men who Went out are still very
| hopeful of gaining their point. He was
very positive that the demands Of tho
men were just, and laid great stress on
that part of Mr. Clarkes statement that
too little notice was given his COM
pany He felt sure that it was the pur
| pose of the Old Dominion Company to
| start their plant up again as soon as
| possible. taking the old men back at tho
price GD which was asked for.
The strikers have had but one meet
ing and that was on "Wednesday. they
decline 10 state who the leaders are ana
who presided at this meeting. fearing
| that these may be counted arch offenders
and lose their places, or more corr
rectly, will not be- taken back when the
rest area matter which they regard az
a certainty. Nothing appears 20 have
been done at this meeting further than TO
adopt the policy of mildly waiting II
out"
ENTIRELY DIFFERENT VIEW.
| Mr.. Clarke, the president Of the Old
| Dominion Company, takes an entirely
different view. His statements do not
! contain much comfort for the strikers
He was seen last night by a Dispatch
writer. and at first declined 10 discuss
the strike at all, saying that ii was just
81 trouble between the company and theli
men and not "a matter which concerned
the public He was assured, however
| that where so many men who mad Iami
| nes-meu of middle age, experience ah1
| mechanical training-Were thus so MAZE
rally affected the people generally were
Idoonlv affected also and Interested Tic
finally agreed to talk, and made cleai
cut succinct statement of the case from
{ his standpoint. The men, he said, hao
bean raised very recently, to conform q
the prices being paid at Harrisburg Pa
The Old Dominion Works had for ten
Years been governed by the wage system
, of Harrisburg. and would continue 10 DC
, So. Harrisburg had been raised 10 Sj.'o
& Al once the men here were raised tC
ssz. They were not satisfied, and de-
I mapded 81. His company declined t'
give IL. IF Harrisburg gave her men .
we'd give S." said Mr. Clarke. 'It the,
D were given So ours would be given SO
They stand on the same footing"
S NO HOPE WHATEVER.
4 Mr.. Clarke was asked If the strikers
e had any chance of getting what they
, asked for. None whatever was hi'
emphatic reply. They went out on then
own accord. and they can stay out a.
long as they care to-" He said the pnd
y lling nlaut alone would be affected, an'
G this would be idle until the men becam
y tired of walking the streets IN lulel'oS
k and were ready 10 return ut $40 PEE
ton. The company will not make an!
effort to get men TO fill their places
t They can come back and go TO work
n hut il will be with the understandlni
g that S9.75 is what they are to get. Mr.
clarke seemed TO be quite confident ina
. after little rest the men would quieu
come back TO work. and thus put happ
end 20 a disagreeable and unfortunau
Z matter.