The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-13
FREE SHOP.
Pero Delivers His VI
timatum.
WHITE CHAGRINED
At the Failure to Settle
Moulders' Strike.

The Moulders' Union will fight the
fight of ''sit down" Presby Pero has
refused to grant any of the concessions
asked, and the battle will go on with
renewed vigor.
Daniel A. White, third vice president
of the National Union, visited Worces-
ter last Sunday, called upon Mr.. Pero,
and afterwards spoke to the strikers
at a special meeting. He was full of
hope. He believed and told the union
that the foundry owner would be will
ing to compromise with the men, and
that Thursday night would see the end
OF the four months strike.
He felt sure that Mr.. Pero would be
willing to grant the $3.50 minimum
asked. and that the union would agree
on it's side to let the question of
recognition of the card stand for the
present. He told the men that terms
would be arranged, and that the strike
would come to an end at once.
Mr.. White said that when he came
to Worcester Sunday, he was without
prejudice. He told the foundry owner
exactly how matters stood, what the
strikers asked and what they would
be willing to take. Mr. Pero said it
was too late then to talk of conces-
sions. He had held out for four
months. it had been stated in the press
that he would hold out until the end.
and now his pride would not let him
give in
Mr.. White told him that the men, too,
had held out for four months, and they,
too had pride, but to end the mat
ter. they were willing to yield in part
and leave the card recognition matter
for the present.
The interview was very pleasant, said
Mr.. White. and from the conversation
held. he felt warranted in hoping for
the best and told the union So He
had arranged another meeting with
Mr.. Pero for yesterday, and felt sure
that final agreement could be
reached
Mr.. White arrived in Worcester yes
terday afternoon and went at once to
see the foundry owner. He was out.
but had left a note for the union The
letter said in effect that he had con-
sidered the matter and had decided to
OFFER no concessions to the strikers, and
that hereafter his foundry will be
known as free shop. This is to be his
final answer.
Il felt very much disappointed over
the result" said Mr.. White Il had
expected to succeed and saw no reason
why 1 should not. The circumstances
OF this strike are peculiar and the men
nave suffered very little in conse-
quence, as all but seven of them have
Obtained other positions Mr. Pero's
brother and uncle went out with the
strikers, and it seems almost like
brother against brother. He says his
customers are with him in the fight,
and have no reason to doubt it. but
L know all the men he has at work and
know them to be by no means as
competent as those he had before the
strike.
He is trying to take the stand of the
large capitalists, and thinks himself
sucn though he is only a very small
founder. The National Federation of
Labor will be asked to take a hand in
the matter, and it will be carried to the
end. The men here did not wish to take
any drastic measures against Mr.. Pero,
as ne was a union man himself once,
put underline circumstances they have
become tired of mild methods and will
take a stand now for their rights.
Ihey Will offer no more concessions,
but will adhere hereafter to their de-
mands of $50 minimum and the rec
ognition Of the card. do not think l
shall have anything more to do in the
matter, as the federation will take
charge, but l have advised the men to
stand firm in their principles and to
give pack not at all. I told them ad-
herence to the union was their only
nope of being righted, and that the men
VINO would fall by the WaYside now
would be unworthy of being called a
brother"
Mr.. White went back to Boston last
night and will not return to Worcester.
unless he sees he is needed. He feels
sure that the national federation will
be capable of managing affairs. The
strikers themselves are disappointed
over the outcome. They have no i'll
feelings for Mr.. Pero and are sorry that
he has done that which they consider
Will be an injury to himself alone.
They are determined now to hold out
to the bitter end, and hold to whatever
the federation advises.
The strike has now been on for about
four months. 1t has been a contest
for principle, with no i'll feeling on
either side. Neither side has gained
anything, and from the statements of
prominent moulders, Mr.. Pero is the
only one who has suffered. The strik-
ers obtained other positions readily in
union shops. The foundry owner got
other help to take the place Of those
who left and ran as before The union
men say that the new men employed
are not competent and that the quality
Of the products of the Pero foundry
has fallen off to a marked degree.
And after the four months Of contest,
the matter stands just as it did when il
began, and what the end will be, only
the fulness of time will bring forth.
LAWRENCE VOLLINGER.