The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1910-11-24
STANDING FIRM
FOR DETROIT WAGE SCALE.
President Neenan Denies That
December Scale is Not
Being Paid.
NO POLICY CHANGE
AS to the Wage Scale This
Season Will Be Made
He Declares.

PlTrsBURG, Pa, Nov. 1s.-The
commoner and Glassworker publishes
the following in connection with the
visit Of j. NJ Neenan there this week:
President Joseph NJ. Neenan, Of the
National Window Glass Workers was
in Pittsburg this week, and during
an interview with a representative Of
this paper. stated emphatically that
1.-THE members OF his organization
would insist on the Observance of the
provisions of the Detroit wage scale.
He pointed out that the workers had
faithfully carried out their agreement
with the manufacturers and they ev-
pect the same show OF good faith on
the part of the employers. he fur
Their stated that the workers are
standing firmly for the Detroit scale
and that none of the factories in blast
are operating under private agree
ments with the men. President Neen.
an having made n personal inyestfga-
ton along this line during the last
two weeks which proved to his en-.
tire satisfaction that all rumore OF this
character were without foundation.
Il personally visited every factory
about which rumors Of private agree
ments were current and will state in
most positive terms that our men are
being paid the Detrost scale Of wages,
JAN reports to the contrary, notwith-
standing is the forcible way in
which he expressed himself. Fur
thermore," he continued, u want to
add thlt there will be no change in
our wage scale policy this season with
the present solid backing of members
of our organization. We signed the
I Detroit scale In good faith, we did
everything in our power to help the
"Reminiscences at all stages, and we
don't see why we should now be given
u 'throwdown.' The only thing that
VIII change our wage scale policy will
be in the event of the American Win
dew Glass Company undermining
prices or II our members are foolish
enough TO make private agreements
with employers.
Why should we be asked to suffer
a cut in wages? Our members agreed
to refrain from working until octo-
her Is In order to bring about better
trade conditions. They not only did
this but most of them were unem-
ployed several weeks later; in fact.
rany factories are still idle. THIS has
prevented glass from accommodating on
the market, and we think the trade is
lin such shape that the manufacturers
can afford to pay our scale. Our men
have worked for starvation wages too
long and this talk of a heavy cut in
wages in the face of the present abb
normally high cost of living, is dccld-
edly not In line with our view of
working conditions for the present
season.
we have done our share; yes, much
more than our share to help the man
ufacturers preserve stable market
conditions. Now let them show that
they believe in the principle of recl-
procity. To me It seems II they had
more confidence in each other the
question of payment or the present
wage scale would be an easily solved
problem. even in the face of the disco
luton Of the Imperial Window Glass
Company. And. By the way, affairs
OF the Imperial have absolutely moth
ing to do with the basic condition Of
the country The same amount OF
glass will be used by this country
whether the Imperial Is in existence
or not, and it is up to the manufac-
turers, not the workers, TO get this
business. If manufacturers must
disagree among themselves, and tight
each other in the market. they should
mot insist on going to the workers
with a demand to make losses good
that are incurred in this manner"
In conclusion, President Neenan
stated that the organization is look
ing after the welfare of unemployed
members and that those who are en-
ployed are doing their share by con-
trlbuting weekly to a fund which Is
provided for the above purpose. This
is in addition to the regular trade as
sessment. The treasury of the Ma
tional Is reported as being in good
shape.