The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-04-29
ARE JUBILANT.
More Firms Accede
toDemands Of Iron
9Moulders.
LOOKS LIKE VICTORY
STRIKERS May Have Chance
30 Set Aside Monday
as a Holiday.
LIKE VICTORY

This iron moulders of this city are ex-
tren1ely jubilant over the favorable out
come Of their demands on the founders
up ta date, and the prospect of a favor
able issue to the union is evidenced by
the acceding to the demands made by
the union by five of the IL foundries
in question.
The firms who have acceded to the
demands of the union include the lar
gest foundries in this city. They are
the Kabley Foundry Company, Arnold
& Pierce. Caleb Colvin, James Colvin
and the Globe Foundry Company.
These firms have already signified
their intention of complying with the
demands of the union in writing, with
the exception of the Globe, whose ac-
ceptance in writing is expected tomor-
row.
The other six firms who have not as
vet communicated with the union in
one or another manner, will have until
tonight to accede to the demands of the
union The union men state that
should the union receive no reply to
their communication of a few days ago,
the firms in question will have to look
elsewhere for moulders on Monday
morning. The firms who have not sig
nified their intention Of coming into line
are Prespey Pero, the Holyoke Machine
Company, the Junction Foundry Com
pany. Rice, Barton & Fales, Edgar b.
Pierce, the Mechanic street founder
and the Worcester boiler works, con-
Quoted by William Allen 81 Sons, where
the present strike is in progress
The first of May is Monday, and by
the way the demands of the union are
being acceded to, it looks as though 1t
would be a day set aside by the local
moulders is a holiday in celebration of
their victory. Spy reporter called
upon Caleb COlVin yesterday afternoon,
and he acknowledged that he had ac-
coded to the mouldeTs' demands, not
because of the fear of a strike, but be-
cause he had men in his employ who
were second to none in the country. He
recognized the value of the men under
him. and placed the greatest confidence
in them and he believed they did IN
him He said no man could work for
his interest who was dissatisfied, and
he endeavored on all occasions to treat
them as best he could, and as a result,
he received the best of their labors. The
work done at his shop was the most
difficult and complicated work in the
moulders line In order to have that
work done properly, he is compelled to
purchase the best, of material and to
employ the most skilled labor. Mr.
Colvin said he considered that the men
were receiving a 20 per cent raise in
their wages, and said the men deserved
it. as they had to work hard and were
skilled workmen
The letter written by him to the I'M
ion follows:
Iron Moulders' Union No. s.
"Gentlemen-I am in receipt of
your favor of the 18th inst, and IN
reply, will say that I hereby accede
to the demands made upon me by
Iron Moulders' Union No. 5, to take
effect May LIST.
yours truly, Caleb Colvin."
Both Caleb and James Colvin, who
are brothers, but who conduct separate
foundries, have always been consid-
cred nv the union men and by all their
help to be fair in every particular, and
always saw that justice was done the
men in their employ. Joseph F. Pierce,
of the firm of Arnold & Pierce, said to
the moulders that if he were IN the
shop working as the moulders are, ne
would be member OF the union ana
he regarded their demands as being as
fair as could be.
Capt. william Allen, of the firm of
William Allen & Sons, when seen by a
Spy reporter, yesterday afternoon, said
that the moulders who quit his foundry
were back looking Tor work yesterday
morning, but he refused to put them to
work. He said the strike was uncalled
for. and the men have repented their
hasty action, as they were not in a po-
sition to be upheld by the national I'M
ion. When asked about the demands
of the union, he said that they were de-
manding too much and were virtually
asking for a so per cent raise. He sta
ted that the average rate of wages paid
moulders in this city was 50 per day,
and to make demand for a minimum
rate of SO per day was too great
jump for the founders. Then again he
said the demands of the local union eX-
coed the demands of the Providence
union, who are demanding a minimum
rate of S2.75 per day.
The labor men deny that they are
asking a so per cent increase, and say
that the strikers have the support of
the national body and instead of going
to Aliens yesterday asking for work
they went for their pay. They claim
that Allen will have to submit to the