The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-07-01
TROUBLE BREWING.
Something Going to
Happen in Moul-
der's Strike.
AMES E. ROACH IN The CITY.
Has a Conference With
Chairman Frey on Local
Conditions.

The moulders' strike at the foundries
of William Allen & Sons and Prespey
Peros will bring either settlement or
between employer and employed, within
a few days.
Vice President James E. Roach of
the Iron Moulders' Union of North
America, arrived in this city yesterday
afternoon. Last evening Chairman ].
P. f. Frey of the moulders strike ex-
ecutive board entertained Mr.. Roach.
There was conference on local mould
ers troubles.
A report had previously reached Off
Pero was losing thousands of dollars
because of the fact that he insisted
upon paying fair wages to non-union
men who have been classed as inexpe-
rienced by unionists.
The strike at Mr.. Pero,s foundry last
year cost him in the vicinity of $4,000, a
fact which he never disputed. In view
of his previous encounter with the
moulders' organization, it was thought
that in the present difficulty he would
mode any concessions yet, but it is be-
lieved that he will receive members of
the local union and consider the mat
ter
A member of the firm of William AL
| len & Sons has semi-publicly an
nounced that the firm is not satisfied
with it's present foundry force. officers
of the local union and Vice President
Roach, say that in hiring union men
tIa aio d1I1o nf
wages, the firm would be conceding
nothing, as the moulders in the foun-
dry are incapable of producing work
| up to the firms former standard, and
with union men in the foundry, the
| firm would be in clover.
The moulders are leaving a settlement
of the difficulties at Rice; Barton &
Fales foundry to some time beyond the
| day of reckoning. Officers of the To-
cal union say that they are perfectly
| satisfied with the conditions at the big
| foundry, If the proprietors are, but q
settlement is neither talked of nor hint
| ed at There has been considerable
| talk among the moulders at the Rice
| Barton and Fales' foundry concerning
the advisability of instituting an un-
precedented strike, strike in/whicf
| scabs" figure as the oppressed.
| Vice-President Roach was seen by q
1
there is anything l can do in aiding
the local union to a settlement of the
strike at Aliens and Pero's, l will be
| at the service of the executive board
| / have had no suggestions yet, and il
| the local union does not take the mi
tiative, I will not My conversation
with Mr.. Frey was on general matters
but, of course, we discussed the loca
situation. Our plans for the future
must be kept to ourselves.
"Since leaving Worcester l have beer
lin Maine and New Hampshire, with
an occasional visit to Providence. The
Phoenix iron foundry in that city has
conceded the demands of the union, and
the men are back at work. The strike
at Providence has cost the national
union about S8000 but several thousand
more will be expended if the foundries
in that city do not adopt the union
wage schedule.
| Last year at this time moulders
were idle, not because of strikes
throughout New England. At the
present time the scarcity of moulders
| is making many a foundry owner turr
away business. At Hartford and An
sonia, Conn, there are places for Al
men. Is in the former and 80 in the
latter city, In Lynn the General Elec.
| trio Company needs so moulders an6
Will pay uIlOH WdSSS, puI Can mo- Sc
lmen. In Lowell there is a strike ir
two shops, but there are only mould
ers to fill so places"
How do you account for the short.
age of moulders?" asked The Spy man
Mr.. Roach replied:
1.-THE foundry owners in New Eng
! land are being benefited by the ad
ministration in an unlooked-for de-
gree Never before have New England
1 o xx,f1 e,f 90
era of prosperity At the present time
the consumption of iron is 1000, 00t
tons more than the supply. A strong
reserve can not meet the demand. an6
| consequently iron is selling at $40 pei
ton, an advance of over so per cent.
"If any local union founder tells yol
that he is not making money under
the present conditions, do not swallow
lit Worcester foundry owners are get
ting three and three and a half cents
per pound for castings. Formerly two
cents per pound was the selling price
of castings.
IT have received a notice to the eff.
feet that the National Founders Asso.
citation has postponed it's convention
until Aug. 8, when there will be SEES
sion at Niagara Falls. The question
of the principles of minimum wage
rates will be discussed. At that time
4 Edgar P. Pierce cases will be brought
up. To me there seems no probability
of the decision being any different re.
garding the wage schedule than 1t now
is. The association can not decide or
a lower schedule than that now in eff.
feet in the foundry because other
union foundries in this city are follow
ing the same wage rate
Mr.. Roach said that he would be q
candidate for reelection as second
vice-president when the national con.
vention is held, at Indianapolis, July
10. Local delegates will support him
unless j. PA #. Frey is induced to try
for the place. The latter has no wish
for the office, and would not accept II
IL he is elected, according to state.
rnent made to The Spy man. but loca
members of the union and New Eng.
Hand representatives from mouders
unions are anxious to have him as g
national officer. If he decides to en-.
ter the contest, he will have strone
New England backing.
Vive- President Roach will leave fol
Providence this afternoon.
/ II Warlpv Ianea Harvard nm ena,,