The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1909-01-21
WOMEN AIDING
HATTERS' STRIKE
BY ACTIVE WORK
Trimmers and Weighers Re-
member Benefits Secured for
Them by Male Comrades.
MANUFACTURERS CLAIM
THEY CAN OPEN SHOPS
But Strikers Say There Are MOI
Enough Non=U Union Men in
County for That.

The manufacturing hatters are talk
ing of opening their shops next week,
probably Monday, when all of those
who desire to return to work can 10
SO, and if they do not other men will
be put in their places.
The employees, especially the men,
say that the manufacturers will not be
able to get enough men to do the work,
as there are not one-quarter enough
hatters in the country to fill
all the shops, which are scattered all
over the United States.
TAen, too, the union men claim that
K with the assistance of the members Of
the Trimmers'. and Weighers' unions
they will be in a position to prevent
the manufacturers from doing mucx
If any business.
The members of the Trimmers' and
Weighers, unions are composed of
women who have In the past received
the moral support Of the United Hat
ters of North America in improving
their condition, and they feel that
they are in position now to help the
men, and will.
The local women are taking an active
part in the fight.
Outlook Gloomy.
Following a week of dleness the
worklnen and women of the. Orange
hating district see little hope at the
present time of an early resumption Of
labor. But there is a general feeling
that the union label must be supported
by the employees as the one safeguard
against a return to old conditions that
prevailed before the unions ttained
their present strength and growth.
There was an enthusiastic gathering
of women at Eagles Hall, Orange, yes
terday, where the men maintain a
meeting place pending the settlement
of difficulties. The several speakers
Ieaffirmed their declarations of loyalty
to the men in the present difficulty and
their intention to fight to "A
finish.
independents Calm.
There Is little change in the situation
from the first day of the trouble, last
Friday. The factories not members of
the Associated Hat Manufacturers are
not taking any part in the affair and
the officials in charge state the trouble
will not result in any change in their.
plans. They are busy supplying their
regular customers and do not purpose
reaching out for the trade of the manu-
facturers now engaged in the contro-
versy with the unions. One of the men
outside the trouble said:
I'VE lave all the. business we. can
attend to and do not purpose mixing up
in the trouble by looking for customers
who will be temporary, at best. We
are going along nicely n do not in
end to change our present arrange
ments."
Will Receive Money.
With the first week of the trouble
over the workmen are now in line to
receive assistance from the funds of the
National Association. The men pay
regularly to the National Association,
and from the accumulated fund of
their moneys paid while they were
working they will receive about 81 a
week during the continuance of the
present period of enforced idleness. But
they will not be paid for the first week,
their a-pportionment of money from
headquarters beginning with the second
week.
Tradesmen in the valley district of
the city are much concerned over the
possible continuance of the strike, as it
seriously affects payments at the stores.
Through the valley district are many
homes In which the father and children
all work at hating instead of diversi-
fled trades or occupations, n with
everyone idle the hardship increases.