The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-05-24
STRIKING MACHINIST.

In fulfillment of the notice to theil
employers, a great number of the
machinists throughout the country
went out on a strike Tuesday. They
demanded a nine-hour work day with
the same pay they have been receiving
for ten hours According to the presi'
dent of the association, James O'Con-
nell, the machinists of the country are
nc. better off today than they were al
the time of the panic of 1898, in spite
of the tremendous prosperity of the
| United States. He says that the rates
of pay of machinists are not as good
as they were prior to 1898. In speak
| ing of the condition of the men today
and how it has been affected by the
country's prosperity, Mr.. O'Connell
said:
81 do not hesitate to say that the
machinists have not been compensated
in keeping with the advanced pros
perity that we are now supposedly en-
joying. During the panic of 1898 re-
auctions of wages were general in the
machinist trade, varying from 10 to
30 per cent. Since then there have
been numerous cases of individual in
creases of wages, but the old rates have
not been universally restored. In other
words, the reductions were more
sweeping and general than the subse-
auent increases. 1t is also true that
the wages of machinists have not been
advanced in keeping with the growing
cost of living, nor with the increased
demand for their services. The
machinist has not been given that con-
sideration that his skill and intelli
gence entities him to. He has borne
with fortitude impositions of every
character in the machine shops; the
introduction of special machinery,
with large increase in the employment
of boys and handy men who displace
tradesmen. This condition of affairs
has become so obnoxious that at the
present time the entire machinist trade
is absolutely revolt. Two years
ago represented the American labor
movement at the British Trade con-
gress in Plymouth, England. During
my visit in England, Scotland, wales
and Ireland I paid special attention to
the conditions under which machinists
were employed in those countries.
81 found the hours of labor to be
universally not more than nine. and in
many instances less. The rates of
wages will compare favorably through
out the entire part of Great Britain
with those paid in America. Special
machinery is not used to any great ex-
tent abroad, nor do the workmen work
with such rapidity as they do here. so
that for about the same amount per
diem the American mechanic produces
fully 80 per cent more per hour than
his rival across the water. This is a
feature that is not taken into consider
alton by employers here in fixing
wages When 1 learned my trade
twenty years ago skilled machinists re-
ceived So. so per day. If I were to go
to work today in the general machinist
trade l would probably produce double
the amount that formerly did at
So. 80 a day." Mr.. O'Connell says
that labor has no reason to be fright
ened at the combinations of capital for
the control Of. industrial enterprises.
In speaking of the steel combine, he
said. 81 do not look upon that con-
solidation as bugbear. | prefer to
treat with organized employers rather
than with the individual. Under
proper and fair rules and regulations
the consolidation of interests is sure to
bring about the best possible labor.
If, however, combinations of capital
are allowed to run fancy free injury
may be worked both to those in the
combinations and to the general
public.
No one will question the right of
machinists to demand shorter hours
without a cut in wages. If they can
get it we'll and good. 1t is hoped,
however, that their good sense will
prevent them from getting into any
disturbances, and thus avoid what toe
often follows in the wake of strikes,
mob violence and blood shed.