The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-07-23
THE STRIKE OF
THE PUDDLERS
Neither Side Is as Yet Disposed to
Yield.
"A TALK WITH Mr.. A. B. CLARK.
His Company Determined TO Adhere To
EEE the Harrisburg Scale 80 The
Men Declare They Will
o Remain Firm.
A TALK WITH Mr.. A. B. CLARK.

Tho strike at the Old Dominion Iron
and Nail Works I'm the puddlcrs de-
partmont has not been adjusted. Yes
terday witnessed no change i'm the at
titude. either of the company or the dis
affected men. President A. y. Clarke
reitcratcs his determination TO let tho
men stay out until Woaried with walt
Ing. they decide t0 return % work az tho
last rate posted. 1915 per ton. on the
other hand. the ntty odd puddicrs and
others I'm that department insist that
there will Doe no surrender on their
part. making the threat 90 ind employ
mcnt elsewhere than I'm Richmond should
the company refuse 10 grant what they
term their reasonable demand. There Is
Just a remote possibility that the strike
win result in the closing down N the en-
tire plant on Belle ISLE but this is not
at AN probable.
NOT THE PUBLICS CONCERN.
President Clarke. when seen by Times
representative yesterday afternoon, was
decidedly adverse 90 discussing the tr0u-
BILE in the works. which he evidently re-
CARDS as a matter of not sufficient inn
portance tO cause him worry. In fact
he said similar manifestations Of dis
satisfaction had existed several times in
the past but the trouble had always been
amicably adjusted. These occurrences,
he though. concerned alone employer
and emplOye. and it was not proper sub
jects for public treatment
Mr.. Clarke declared that there IS not
the slightest prospect of the strikers
demand being granted. The men, he said.
will be allowed 90 stay out until such
time as they may feel inclined 70 return
20 work. Their conduct. in any event
would not affect the operation OF prac-
tically all the rest Of the plant. In tho
course of his talk with The Times man
the president alluded 70 the policy Of the
company I'm making It's rate of wages
uniform with the rates current al the
time az Harrisburg. Pa. This had been
the practice for a number of years. and
there would, he said. be- no departure
from precedent In tho present instance.
THE MEN RESENTFUL.
The men resent the suggestion ema-
mating from higher officials OF the
company. that the wage scale here
is controlled by prices paid at Harrisburg.
The Pennsylvania city. they point out. is
on an extremely cheap basis. only ono
other iron town. Pottsyille. Pa. paying
a lower price TO putdlers.
what We are contendlng for" said
one of the puddlers yesterday "is the pre-
yailing schedule throughout the Bast-sl
n ton. That is not a high figure In tina
South and West the rate varies from 5.
20 500. and In the Ohio valley where
the best prices obtain, the ngure ex.
ceeds $500
Three months ago. IL IS said. tho
pudd.crs al the Old Dominion Works
were paid $40 per ton. Successive
advances AZ twenty-five cents a clip
brought the price 20 $50, where IL
rested until Tuesday, when notices were
posted. announcing a further rise OF =
uaufa ma king the figure - Whit
there has thus been a considerable in
crease OF wages within a comparatively
brief time. the striking puddlers declare
that the better figures were obtained In
each instance only after the men had
taken the initiative for the advance
The present strike first assumed tangi-
bic form last week, when a meeting ~
the puddlers was held and COMMITTEES
OF three appointed 20 ask an increase Of
nifty cents per ton. The committee wait
ed on President Clarke Friday or Satur-
day. The demand was not conceded. on
Tuesday morning the company posted
the notice announcing tho 1910 rate.
Tuesday night the puddlers walked out.
DEMAND FOR WORKERS.
An incentive 10 independence on the
part OF the strikers Is found in the very
general demand FOR workers in all a.
partments OF the iron industry conse-
business. Several OF The idle men yester-
day announced that party OF them would
leave next week for Dunkansvlle. Pa,
where the American Steel-ioop Compa-
ny is about 10 resume. and Is advertising
for puddlors. Charles Caudry. one OF the
strikers. Is I'm receipt OF a commune
cation from the Dunkansyile Company.
in which the offer IS made 20 pay ths
transportation Of as many men as will 30
from Richmond 10 work for the Nation
rate Yesterday. II was stated a rel II Was
sent. advising that a number OF men here
would accept the OFFER IN substantial
ton OF the genuineness Of these negotia-
lions II is said by the strikers that an
agent will be here early next week 10
take IN tow the quota OF Richmond
puddlers that have asserted their De-
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