Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-10-25
SERIOUS PROPORTIONS.
Ashamed NY The Strike ur the Norfolk
'r o. nter Shuektrn.

The oyster shuclScrs' strike in Nor
1olk has assumed the proportion
OF lockout in ali but two houses.
Crosby & Co. started up With twenty
nine union Shuckers at work, and Hig-
gins 4 Co. with about one hundred.
In all the other packing houses, how
ever. business was practically suspend
ed, one thousand union men declining
to accede TO: their employers demands
that they withdraw from the Oyster
Shuckers Fraternity. There: was but
little excitement and no trouble Many
oyster boats failed to go down the bay
as a result Of the strike.
1t is charged by the packers that the
union has undertaken to dictate what
sized oysters may be opened and also
the size OF the measuring pot into
which they are put. In reply to the
latter allegation the shuckers declare
that many Of these pots will hold seven
quarts. The shuckers assert that they
petitioned the packing houses to fornu-
late more easily understood system
and to cease advancing wages to the
men at usurious rates.
Relative to the charge that they de-
cline to shuck certain oysters they as
sert that their union is endeavoring to
enforce. practically the law against the
marketing OF undersized oysts7S
Some of the packers talk OF removing
their establishments from Norfolk to
Elizabeth City. N. c.
The action of Messrs. Higgins & Co.
in not enforcing the packers. decision to
discharge such Of their hands as refus-
ed to sign the agreement to withdraw
from their union. excited some com
ment. Both the Messrs Higgins live
in Boston. Their packing house, on the
Nottingham-Wrenn Company's Allan
tic City wharf, one of the largest in thu.
city. is in charge Of Mr.. Isaiah
Barker. That gentleman when asked
QXnra0Si6u ~ nj nv
mark representative last night, unhes-
ftatingly said that he had not dis
charging men against whom he has no
grievance. The striking shuckers have
issued a very comprehensive statement
OF their side of the question, extracts
from the most striking parts Of which
follow: Cromwell Council simply re
fased to shuck such oysters as the State
prohibits being caught or sold, while
the inspectors, whose positions are OBJ
tanned by executive authority, sleep,
and the Chesapeake. the State police
Patrol seemingly finds no offenders
upon whom to prey
Referring to proposed reduction in
the price OF opening oysters last season
they point out that by resisting they
saved to the business interests in
Norfolk 100000:
The interests Of this section" the
circular goes on to say, lin the trade
cannotbe denied, but it is nevertheless
aafaet that business establishments OF
this city are the direct recipients Of the
earnings Of the twelve to fourteen nun
dred openers. A measure is used tina,
is neither recognized by the nation the
State, God or the devil, and has beer
4 termed a pot and If the Sealer Of
Weights and Measures were permitted
70 stamp this unmerciful receptacle hi
would find many capable Of holding
seven ca quarts, and the nonster-lir
generally attached when piled up a.
gallons: s
This action was taken by the pack
p ers on Monday without just cause. ant
or'y on the. ground that they had re
xceived q most respectfully worded pc
tition from us on September 1st, ask