New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-04
ALL SUBSIDIARIES
MAYFOLLOWS SUIT
Employees in BayOnne,
Baltimore and West Vir-
ginia Win by Decree.
WAGES REMAIN SAME
Action, Unexpected by Labor
Men. Comes After Attack by
Federal Investigators.

tQNl al luNOSblS dbOI D
The Standard Oil Company Of
New Jersey conceded the eight-hour
day to its workmen yesterday. The
announcement was made after a
special meeting of the board of di-
rectors at 26 Broadway. The New
Jersey company is the parent, and
most powerful in the Standard Oil
group, and it is believed all the sub
salaries Of the vast organization
will follow its example.
In labor circles the action Of the
company was heralded as a great
victory. 1t was considered the sur
render Of the last and greatest op-
posing force in the labor battle
throughout the country for better
working conditions, including the
forty-eight hour weekly schedule.
Labor leaders saw an easy victory
for the eight-hour day in other
parts Of the country where it has
not already been granted. Looking
back TO the pitched battles in the
strike at the plant of the Standard
Oil Company in Bayonne In July, in
which several strikers were killed,
they rated the gain to labor worth
even what it cost in human life.
The men returned to the Jersey
company plants with higher wages
as q result Of the July strike, and
with the adoption Of the eight-hour
day their leaders feel they have
reaped their full reward. This is
especially so, because the Standard
Oil Company had maintained set
tied policy Of refusing to deal with
any labor organization.
VIII Not Affect Wages.
The important announcement by the
company was brief. merely stating 1t
desired TO keep its wages and working
conditions equal 10 those Of other work
men doing q similar class Of work.
The change will not affect the wage
teale. The announcement in full was
as follows:
IN accordance with the policy OF
this company 70 keep its wages and
working conditions equal TO or in ad-
vance Of the work and working condi-
tont Of other men doing a similar
class Of work It has been decided TO
adopt the eight-hour day. The change
will be made without loss 20 the men.
II will BE necessary TO make certain
changes in present methods Of con-
Quoting the plants The eight-hour day
will become effective on September 10.
and notices have been posted 20 that
effect in the various plants
The meeting Of the board Of direc-
tors had not been previously announced
except 10 the directors themselves
The statement was given out some time
after the directors had left by H. X.
AeCann. an advertising agent. at his
once. 81 Broadway. II was said that
majority Of the directors were pres
snt at the meeting. The first impres-
tion gained BY the announcement was
mat all the various subsidiary compa-
ries Of the Standard Oil group. en-
p'oyinE between $4,000 and 10000 men.
would be affected
chester o. Swain. general solicitor OF
we company. corrected this impression
he said the present action affected only
he plants OF the New Jersey company,
al Bayonne. Parkersburg. W. Va. and
Baltimore. He said they employed
about 1900 mer. He refused 10 com
Ment Oh the possibility of the thirty
nree subsidiary companies. formed as
tae result Of the dissolution Of the
parent company by the government,
borrowing the example and adopting the
"ght-hour day.
Attacked in Federal Report.
None OF the officials of the company
.tt accessible last night. John d..
Mehbold IS president. The other Off
Vsis are A. {. Bedford, +. NJ. Bedford
TIecerlck W. Weller, wee -preSl-
1ents; Charles T. White. secretary, and
a. 7. Bedford, treasurer. The directors
e :. d. Archbold, Walter Jennings,
o. =. Bedford, S. b. Hunt, + d. Asche,
l. Marng, +. NJ. Bedford and fred
rick " Weller.
Inc action Of the company would
.pPar more in the light Of a Sur
ssaeer 10 the labor cause, in view Of
mt recent dr-stie report made by the
sesugstors Of the Bsyonne strike for
e United States Commission on In
Strisl Relations. This report, made
george P West and C. r. Chenery,
nld in part:
=, me eompsny is the most important
he STANDARD Oil group, and this
yo-p IS the principal eontributo- to
wealth, prestige md power OF the
1st estate in the country, il not IN
S world.-that Of john d. Rockefeller,
sho mis- immediate family. The
,aIss regarding the compsnys labor
"s,es must, therefore, be regarded
AZ. special significance, because Il
uemeLdous power welded By the