New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-03
Machinists Try to Cripple
MunitiOn Makers Through
Small Concerns.
NAMES OF FIRMS
NOT DISCLOSED
plans TO Unite NOn-UniOn Metal
Workers DiScussed-Walk-
Out in Newark.

officials Of the international Associa-
ton Of Machinists said last night that
unless employers are quick TO grant
the demands Of the union for forty
four hour working week and an APP
promixately 20 per cent increase in
wages other strikes will be called IN
quick succession. About eight hundred
machinists at the Garyin Machine
Company, Spring and Varick Streets,
Manhattan, quit yesterday morning.
The Varick Machine Company has
been under contract 20 furnish tools to
the T.. W. Bliss Company and other
munition manufacturing plants. Ac-
cording TO F.. J. Deering, business
agent Of the union, the Varick company
has let contracts for machine parts and
metal work TO various smaller con-
Germs. lie said that a strike would be
called in all OF these unless the de-
mands were promptly granted. At the
headqu.rterg Of the Machinsts' Union
at ll6 Nassau Street. information as 70
the identity Of the plants where the
immediate calling Of a strike IS prob
able was refused.
John J. Keppler, vicepresident Of the
international Association OF Machlnists,
spent busy day yesterday. After hav-
ing held various conferences in Plain
field n. j., during the day, he returned
10 the city yesterday afternoon and
conferred with officials OF the L. W.
Bliss Company, in Brooklyn, which is
said TO be mex: IN line for n strike.
Mr.. Keppler refused 10 say when the
ultimatum which was delivered TO the
Bliss company last Saturday would ex-
pire.
After an executive session yester
day afternoon it was said that efforts
would be made to unite all the men
employed in the metal workers indus
try under the leadership Of the Ma
chinists' Union. The number is said to
be between 10000 and $4,000.
II. {. Hunter, counsel and general
secretary of the National Metallic
Trades Association. the employers or
ganizaton, in statement yesterday
minimized the threat Of John j. kepp-
Ter that a strike would be called in
every plant which refused 20 grant the
unions demands
These statements are ridiculous"
he said. Work for machinists has been
poor for more than a year. except in
those plants which have war munitlon
contracts. II there are 10 be any strike
troubles | do not believe that the man
ufacturers will be greatly handi-
capped"
After a conference with Hugh Reilly,
business agent Of the international As
ISOLATION of Macninists for the Plain
field. y. j., district, Vice President
Keppler and J. J. McEntee. national
organizer of the union, called mass
meeting for Thursday night, at which
it will be decided whether or not a
strike will be called among the two
thousand machinists employed in varl-
Gus munition plants and their subsidi-
aries in Plainfeld. The international
Motor Company, of Plainfeld, will be
formally presented with the unions
demands for an eight hour working day
and wage increase some time before
Thursday, It was said.
Two hundred employees of the Meurer
Steel Barrel Company. Of Long Island
City, who walked out last Friday,
served notice on the machinists'
union yesterday that they would
support them in their fight for an
eight hour working day. Superin-
tendent Frank Young, of the works,
issued statement yesterday in which
he said that the company would not
grant the demands of the strikers
Employees of two plants in Newark
went on strike yesterday One hundred
and twenty employees of the Mass VALID
stein Chemical Company, on the Mead
Ows, which has been working overtime
for months on war orders for chem
icals, quit because the company re-
fused to grant them a ten hour day at
thirty cents an hour and Sunday off.
At the American Scientific Dye Com
Pany, at Avenue A and the New Jersey
Central Railroad tracks, fifty-fve men
struck yesterday because their demands
for an eight hour day at twenty-five
cents an hour were refused.
As far as could be learned, the In
ternational Association has not taken
any steps 10 foster strike movement
in Newark, but /. W. W. workers, who a
few weeks ago tried to launch general
walkout OF longshoremen in Greater
New York. are reported to be active
among Newark's laboring population.
Secretary Seaman, Of the f. W Bliss
Company, refused last night to discuss
the situation, beyond reiterating his
previous statements that the company
was well prepared to handle any
trouble which might come up.
Union officials reported last night
that the two thousand machinists EN-
ployed at the Bliss plant are anxious to
strike because the company has de-
clared that it would not consent to an
increase in wages, although it agreed
TO the eight hour working day.
Boston, Aug. q Officers or the Inter.
national Association of Machinists. who
are in this city in connection with the
movement TO obtain increased wages
and shorter hours at plants where mu-
nitions of war and machines for their
manufacture are being made, tonight
received kilograms ordering them to at
tend a general conference 10 be held
at Hartford, Conn, next Sunday.
According TO one of the vice -presi-
dents Of the union. this conference will
consider the eXpediency Of calling
general strike at all war munitions
plants in New England which have not
AZ that time granted the union de-
mands.
Frank Jennings, international vice
president, left here for Worcester to-
night 20 investigate the alleged dis
charge of union members at shops
there. Fitchburg, Taunton and Spring
held were also mentioned as places
where some action might be looked for.