New-York tribune., 1901-07-21
SHIRT CUTTERS STRIKE.
LION EMPLOYEES AT TROY GO OUT
MILLS BUSY ON ORDERS FOR
MEMS SHIRT WAISTS
rBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNE. ]

Troy. n. Y. July 2o-The shirt cutters In the Lion
factory of the United Shirt and Collar Company Of
this city. went this afternoon IN a sympathetic
strike with the collar cutters in the shop. The
grievance that the collar cutters complained of
regarding the number of apprentices employed A
rule of their union demands that but apprentice
to every ten cutters be allowed The press of work
caused the manufacturers to employ than this
number. This precipitated a small strike last week
A meeting of the other manufacturing concerns was
held, and they agreed to cut the work for the
United company in of necessity. 1t is expected
that If this is attempted general strike will occur
which will shut up the principal shops in the city.
The number of employees affected by the action
to-day is not great. about fifty men being included
but the work of the cutters is the basis for the
entire manufacturing operation. their presence is
extremely essential 1t is claimed by the employees
that there is a concerted movement on the part of
the manufacturers do away with union help
They say that instead of limiting the number of
apprentices to one for every ten cutters there have
been many apprentices employed cutters The
apprenticeship is supposed to last two years. but
sooner does apprentice become proficient than
he displaces journeyman at smaller pay. The ap-
prentices in turn the union men say,
they become journeymen subjected to the same
treatment and are replaced by apprentices.
The collar and shirt industry in this city has had
an unusually prosperous season, and the shops,
with few exceptions. are working full time and.
In some cases, the usual summer shutdown has
been shortened or entirely omitted. An unforeseen
state of affairs exists in the sudden popularity
which has attached to the shirt waists for men.
One firm, by no means the largest, which has been
making special run this class of goods. states
that If orders are received there is
enough work on shirt waists to keep the shop run
ming in full until September l.
In view of these facts. all efforts being made
to avert general strike. which would disas-
trous just now For the most part the summer
stocks disposed of and the winter goods
ready for shipment. The usual work in late summer
and fall is on samples and stock for the spring
trade. There is little talk heard concerning
bine OF the manufacturers. The recent capitaliza-
ton of the Cluett-Peabody concern at more than
100000 was considered in some quarters indi-
cation that the combination. IL formed would
centre around this concern. which Is the largest of
it's sort in the world. The payroll of this company
is stated to be between $4,000 and $50 600 weekly
There about twenty thousand people engaged
In the collar industry In Troy. and IL is safe
mate that nearly an equal number are employed In
the homes otherwise dependent the in
dustry The number of shops in the city Is fifty
six. There are ffty-fve laundres The business has
ramifed many of the suburban towns besides
Rutland. VT. Glens Falls. Sandy HILL Albany and
Leominster Mass.