The New York Herald Newspaper, November 8, 1873, Page 5

rm in resuming as extensive operations a8 formerly, ‘The wages of those at work have been reduced ten per cent, and those who make con- siderable receive only one-half in cash, Like any Other firms Graff, Bennett & Co. do not expect to continue any great length of time should not the currency stringency tun prove, Zug & Co., manufacturers of all kinds of iron, have not been running butasingle turn for the ne month, and in eonsequence have been obliged dispense’ with the services of many who have found steady employment coring, the warm and cold months of years and years. Skilled workmen are paid one-half cash, while laborers receive their Wages in full, Orders now are NOTHING TO EXULT OVER. Knap’s Fort Pitt Foundry, where the great twenty-inch guns were made for harbor fortifica- tions and where cannon for the government are sti}! made, have amcharaed fully one-third of their workmen and reauced the wages of those remati ing ten per cent. Up to the present time they have managed toy their men in full, ‘The Iron and Siberian Iron Works are run- wing both their miils, with a full complement of workmen, at a reducuon in wages of ten per cent, adopted some weeks ago, These concerns give employment to upwards of four hundred men, and as the firm make a specialty of Russian sheet iron, they feel confident of Continuing operations throughout the winter, without any stoppage whatever. SMALL CONCERNS CLOSED UP. The above, which comprise but a few of the great iron manutacturing concerns of this city, will serve as an illustration of the manner in which they have been running since the money crisis commenced, There are guile a number of smalier concerns that have closed up altogether, either through a lack of orders, or in consequence of the refusal of workmen to accept the reduction of Wages proposed, However, they are of smaller capacity than those enumerated, and their suspension has not been seriously felt in the community. The old rail mill of the Cambria tron Company, at Johnstown, gladdened the hearts of its employés yesterday by commenc- ing operations, and the repatra of the new mill being completed it started running this morning, and thus we see all the departments of this im- Mense concern again in full blast. There are ru- mors, however, to the effect that with the close of this week work will again suspend and not be con- tinued again until December, ‘The business of the Cambria Iron Works unquestionably would be ben- efited by the suspension of works of less capacity throughout the country. Its facilities and re- sources are 60 great and inexhanstive that few works of a similar nature can compete with it. A LONG SINIKE ENDED. The long strike of the coal miners has ended, and the men will resume work on Monday next, providing the bosses have work for them to do. ‘he strike of this particular class of workmen has deen going on for # number of months; but it is hot an unusual one, for miners have & weakness for strikes, and generally take advantage of that season of the year which is likely to force their employers to comply with their demands. This strike was aa just & reduction in the price of dig- ging msisted upon by tho operator and strenu- Saal resisted by the employés; but the former, for the first and Only time in years, have achieve a victory, the miners holding out to the last and iar 4 when necessity compelled them to it. e almost endless number of coal works on the banks of the Monongahela and Yonghiogheny rivers have lain idle for quite a leugth of time, and conseguently the amount of coal laden barges and boats ready for floating off to the ports west and south of this city on the approach of a swell in the rivers 18 1ess than there has been, perhaps, since the conclusion of the rebellion, Now, however, as the differences between the operator and employé have been ami- cably arranged and settled, all the works on the streams already mentioned will soon be in full Uiast, and thousands of miners that have been out of employment for the last couple of months will find ready and steady work. The wages of the average coal miner aré not to be sneezed at; for it is precious few laborers that can make $4 to $5 and $6 a day right through @ season which is truit- tal, through inclement weather, of IDLENESS AMONG THE LABORING CLASS. It is likely we will hear no more of strikes among coal diggers for some time to come, for, if the truth was Known, it is precious lew of them who are not perfectly satisfied and willing to return to tne mines at the price offered by the operators—four cents per bushel. There are a number of mines along the Monongahela River which have not sus- pended operations. Thay are unaifected by striking workmen, and those employed there find constant work the year round at good wages. There are a great number of empty coal barges moored to the different wharves that shouid have long since been filled and got in readiness for moving to Western cities. If the rivers should happen to become ice- bound before another run of coal could be had those places of the West and South depending on Pittsburg for their supplies of coal will be put to a $reat inconvenience and a considerable expense. OHIO. & Very Umsettied Condition of Affairs and General Distrust. CINCINNATI, Nov, 3, 1873. The effect of the money panic is most felt by those in whose business a constant flow of money is needed—manufacturers, and at this time pork packers and stock dealers. This is most apparent “on 'Change,’’ where merchants most do congre- gate, but it extends to a more or less severe extent to every description of trade and businees, Since the resumption of payments by the banks, two weeks ago, the panic has been robbed of much ofits severity, but now, as time lapses and the general distress of the country begins to react upon us, the situation becomes at once a puzzle and an amiction. ‘The standards are all unsettled, and operators of all kinds seem dazed and unable to act, because they cannot tell whether the next movement will be a hit or a miss, put feeling in their bones that it would more likely result in the latter. THE PORK SEASON, which has just commenced, promises well for those whocan command ready money, but the strin- gency is such that very few operators are qualified to lay out large sums. As long 4s the cash in hand lasts things will run smoothly enough, but extreme caution Will be exercised. Killing has commenced in some of the large establishments, but the oper- ations are limited and on commission. The surface indications do not snow much distress thus far, but manufacturers are hampered. They are com- pelled to curtail expenditures by running their e: tablishments only part time, some five days in the week and some ouly tour, THE FURNITURE FACTORIES, foundries, and manufacturing concerns espectally, have adopted this policy. On the of days the operatives wander through the streets listlessiy or lounge on the corners and in the beer saloons, but there is no real distress apparent among them et. * The most striking feature of the stringency of the times is the unsettled condition. As said beiore, men do not know what to do; they are airaid to move, and all eyes are turned to New York. What is done there is cagerly looked for, and whatever operations are effected are based upon operations there. The banks are carefully nursing their interests, but manifest a willingness to accommodate to the utmoss extent of their power. MICHIGAN, peti BS OE & Bed Time for Luambermen—Smail, Cheap Farms tn Demand. St. JouNns, Nov. 5, 1873. ‘The panic found business in this section of the country in very good shape, large crops bringing satisfactory prices and an unusually favorable prospect for the fail and winter business of our whole community. In one line only was there any apparent trowble—lumbering seemed to have al- ready reached its limit and to be settling of its own it to more reasonable figures, both as to prices and quantity manufactured. For some time tambermen have almost universally been ‘hard ap,” aes their eae wherever they could, and sometimes at very high rates, and very gen- erally making no preparations for work in the woods the coming winte: With a good crop of Michigan white wheat and a fteady market at $1 60 to $1 65 per bushel, and Jair crops and fair prices for other produce, our farm- ers were feeling in very good nature and making calculations for many improvements. With the price reduced to $1 25 per bushel for the same wheat, and no market at all ior most of the other produce of the farm, the prospect is most decidedly changed, and ouly in the reduction of wages and abundance of Tabor to work our contemplated improvements and with asupply of money quite readily obtained on their woreanes do jarmers Gnd compensation lor their difficulties. THE DEMAND FOR CHEAP FARMS. In the already quite active call for farms with small improvements and for wild lands, which have for some time been but very little sought, and in the supply of money jor investment in farm mort gages, the panic seems to have worked to the in- terest of the country. The call for cheap farms with amall improvements is really active, and it is @ noticeable fact that it is very largely by the dis- charged workmen of the manufacturing towns or by their friends already in the country in their in- terest. During the recent mania for railroad in- vestments and the persistent advertising of the honds of 80 many new companies at so tavorable rates, it has been almost impossible to induce money from the East on mortgages on tarm prop- erty. A change in this is ats apparent, and we hear daily o: inguiries being made from t st as 10 the possibility of placing funds im so desirable investments a8 farm mortgages—a clasa of securi- Mes recently 80 seemingly neglected, ADDITIONAL ACCOUNTS. - . The Effect in Different Sections of the Coantry. MEPTING IN CINCINNATI. A Meeting, headed by the Mayor, was held in Cincinnati on Tuesday asi, for the purpose of de. vising means to assist those who are out of em ploy and ueedy in getting through the winter, RESUMED OPERATIONS, The roving mil) and tobe works os Seylert, Mo- manne a vo., I Reading, ra., nave gone mo operation again, which gives employment to some 0 men, THE PANIC IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. ‘The financial panic has reached Nashua, and a general reduction of help is being made through- out the various cotton mills and different manufac- turing interests in the city. AT COLUMBUS, OHIO. The Ohio Too! Works are running on half time, The Piqua Kallroad shops have made a reduction of 16 per cent, The shops are run by the Pennsyl- vania Railroad Company, aud its shops every- where share the rule, ONE-HALF THE EMPLOYERS IN WESTPORT, CONN., ARE IDLE. In Westport, where @ capita) of over $500,000 is employed, times are tight, Out of 700 operatives about 350 are at work. Lee's cotton factory has reduced its force and is running on short time; the same with Kemper’s morocco factory, which usually employs 75 to 100 hands. The Saugatuck Manufacturing Company, which has had a force of 100, has reduced the number to 75, SUSPENSION OF IRON WORKS, ‘The Brookville Jeffersonian says:—The Brady’s Bend Iron Works, of Brady’s Bend, Armstrong county, Pa., which gave employment to 600 men and supported @ population of 3,000 people, and whose works comprise four blast furnaces, coal banks, &c., have succumbed to the financial pres- sure and have ceased operations. The assets of te company, itis said, will fall short of their lia- iities. OPERATIVES OUT OF EMPLOYMENT IN NORWALK, CONN, At Norwalk 2,000 men and women are employed in good umes. The banks are reported “crawling along.” ‘The Beatty Bros, straw hat manufac- turers, who have been closed several months, are going lo resume again, whico will give employment to many girls, The Norwalk ck Company’s works are closed and 150 hands are idle. ‘The Nor- walk Iron Works have only 60 out of their 160 hands employed. The hatting interest is paralyzed. The Messrs. Smith, Palmer & Davenport, Adams Bros. & Brush, and Crofut, Knapp & Solomons, employ- ing in the aggregate, in good times, 500 men, now have much less than 60, and they report no pros- pect of better things in the immediate future. AT NOKBISTOWN, PA. ‘the Norristown (Pa.) Herald of November 5 says:—The manufacturers of Norristown and vi- cinity are no better off than persons engaged in similar business elsewhere. To be sure our cotton and woollen mills are still running, most if not all ofthem on short time, however, but a number of furnaces along the river have been put out of Diast, and others will iollow suit, while the rolling mills have almost entirely suspended work. The number of men thrown out of employment in con- sequence is truly alarming. In some localities, rather tian submit to a reduction of wages, work- men have voluntarily suspended operations, but the absurdity of this proceeding becomes more mani- fest when it is considered that employers, in most instances, would rather deter operations, aud only omer to proceed at a reduction tor the benefit of those employed.” DISTRESS IN INDIANAPOLIS, IND. The Indianapolis Journal of November 3 says: ‘(At the pork houses which are in operation in this city there are daily applications for work by hun- dreds of men, Who Cunnot be employed. Were we to say that every day a thousand men are thus dis- appointed in tlleir quest for something to do to ‘keep the wolf from the door’ the statement would not be an exaggeration. The pork house men state that it is pitiiul to hear the earnest ap- peais for work that are made by men having fami- hes dependent upon their labor, and to witness their disappointment when informed that there are no vacancies in the working force to be filled, Another indication of the stress of these troub- lous times is the Jarge number of people who throng the pork houses for the purpose of purchas- ing tenderloins, spareribs and even the refuse of the meat blocks, which are sold at cheap rates, Hundreds of persons, old and young, large and small, among whom are those apparently well-to- do, go daily to the pork houses on this business,’? NEW YORK IRON ORE MINES. ‘The Amenia (N. Y.) Times says that, on account of the financtal difficulties as much, perhaps, as anything, the ore bed at Mount Riga has been closed for an Indefinite thro ving a pumber of laborers out of employment; abi the stoppage of the Burden Company’s works at Albany and the furnaces at Troy has siackeved the -.emand for ore and necessitated the discharve of 1 iarge number of hands and a decrease in the of ‘ers’ wages at the Manhattan iniues at Sharon + ation, This 1s the largest mine in the county anc brings an im- mense trade to Amenia, and its clu xe would mate- rially aflect merchants. At the ’eekskill mine, Squabbie Hole, they are not getting out much ore. At Leedsville a small force only is retained to re- move the soil and have things in readiness for a brisk business when the iron trade opens again. The Gridley and Barnum-Richardson companies in that town are still running, and no serious trouble is apprenended for the present. The re- ports trom the mines at Ore Hill, Kent and Salis- ury are very favorable. MILLS AT MANAYUNK, PA. James Staffora’s spinning mill usually employs 40 hands; now there are only four at work. Io the same building are several other firms—Lees & Leach, weavers, and William Good, spinner of fine yarns, both standing still, and Leach & Bro., also yarn spinners, who are running on three-quarter time. Mrs. Samuel Stafford’s mill employs about 40 hands spinning yarns; it is pow closed. Kenworthy +4 Bro. and Robert Wild, ail spinners, have stopped operations. Preston & Irwin’s upper mill, employing 80 hands in the manufacture of doeskins, cotton yarns, &c., has ceased operations, ‘The lower mill hae also shut down, Dawson & Robinson, manufacturers of cotton and woollen fabrics, employ about 70 hands, and have entirely stopped operations. The Pekin Millis, Sydney J. Solms proprietor, are completely shut down. This mill manutactures woollen and cotton goods, and employs 176 hands, Archibald Campbell & Co.’s upper mill, which manutactures cotton fabrics, is running about half the carding and spinning departments on nine- hour tme and the weaving departments on tull time, Thisestablishment generally employs, when in full operation, 235 hands, 75 of Whom have been discharged for the present. CONDITION OF THE MILLS AT FRANKFORD, PA. The cotton and woollen milig at Frankford are generally running on reduced time, and two have suspended work altogether within the past two weeks, ‘The jollowing is a statement of the condi- tion of the diferent mills, together with that of other industries :— R. Garsed’s Wingahocken cotton mill ts running on full time and employing 450 hands, J. Culbert’s Steaaiast cotton mill is running on half time and getty A about 160 hands, Foster's carpet mill is running on three-fourths time and employing 200 hands, Garsed Brothers’ Frogmoor cotton mill is run- ning on half time and eee lorne 125 hands, iid’s woollen mill 1s running during tour and a half days in the week ane employs 80 hands, The Aramingo cotton mill, employing 140 hands, has stopped work, Hall & Vozin's cotton hosiery mill is runn ng duripg four #ays in the week and employs 240 hands, Greenwood & Balt’s dye works are working on one-quarter time and employing 40 men. Welsh & Son’s cotton mill, Aramingo, employing 125 hands, stopped work en* trely two weeks ago. Whittal 's cotton mill, north of Frankford, has stopped temporarily tor repairs, William & Harvey Rowland's steel works are running as their orders warrant, and have ap to this time been enabled to keep on iull time. They employ 175 men. . R. Supplee’s iron works and machine shops, employing 35 men, are running nine hours a day, nearly fuil time. Yerkes & Plumb’s edge-tool and Bammer works are running on full time and employing 45 men. E, D. Marshall's chandelier and gas xtures price ae is running on fall time and employing men. There are several other smaller establisnments which are working On reduced time, generally hve days in the week, and employing their full force of men. IRON WORKERS IN MAINE. The iron workers of Baugor were cee tee on Saturday night, The Eagle Mills of West Chelms- Jord commenced on three-quarters time and the Sargent Mill of Graniteville on half time on Mon- day. NBW YORK CENTRAL RAILROAD WORKMEN D) CHARGED, A score of men were discharged trom the employ of the Central Railroad Company on Friday who were at work in the machine shops at Rochester. More will be discharged, the order to that effect having gone out from headquarters, THE CONDITION IN DOVER, N. H. The Cocheco Mills in Dover, N. H., are running on full time, with their usual orders in advanc: and have no thoughts of yielding to the times. Th: shoe manufacturers of the same place, although somewhat embarrassed by their inability to get money at the banks, are still hopelul and generally at work. PALL RIVER, MASS,, MILLA. The Fall River News of Noveraber 3 says:— The cotton mills in this city Which agreed to come into the nalf time me ger are all stopped to-day. ‘To-morrow they will start again, and run eight hours per day four days per week, for the present. If these times continage, hewever, it is not improb- able they may have to shut down altogether, until the storm blows over.” THE IKON PUDDLERS IN TROY, N. Y. The Troy Whig of November 4 says he pud- dlers at the Rensselaer Iron Works intimated their willingness yesterday to return to work, but as the proprietors do not care to run the mill’ while the price of puddling in other parte of the country is not settied their offer was declined, The price will probably be less than $5 when the men do go to work, Two weeks ago they might have had $5 16, but now they will have to work for at least twenty cents 2 ton les: CERTIFICATES OF INDEBTEDNESS FOR WORKMEN. The New York Midland Railroad Company have issued certificates of indebtedness to its employés covering all arrears due to them, h certificate is to the amount ef indebtedness to each employé for one month, and is signed by the Treasurer of the company. Inthe “good tine coming’ these certificates will be turned into cash, In the mean. time itis probable that employés will not be able «lo hold them till the good tine comes. THE TRON PURNACRS TN PITTSBURG, ‘The Pittswayrg Commercial of November 3 says: NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, “Some inconsiderate creature telegraphed from here to the press elsewhere that the iron furnaces here had suspended work, because the owners tned to enforce # ten per cent reduction in wages, and that these furnaces employed 1,750 men regularly and 10,000 incidentally, including those who supplied them with fuel. Now, there are bur eleven pig metal fur- paces in Pittsburg. These furnaces do not employ 1,750 men regularly, and as they are run with coke furnished trom Fayette ana Weatmore- land covnties, the entire suspension of all of them would affect noone in the county besides those employed about them, and the number of men en- gaged in supplying them with fuel is much nearer 600 than 10,000, 80 happens, however, that only two of the eleven furnaces have stopped on ac- count of the reduction of wages, and the number of men thrown out of employment on that account is, therefore, Comparatively small, We do not attempt to hide from ourselves and te world that the monetary disturbance has inflicvsd a heavy blow upon our prosperity, just as it has every- where eise, and that it wili require a spirit of con- cession and accommodation on the part of all per- sons concerned to bring about a better condition of affairs.” BUSINESS ON THE ERIE CANAL, We take the following irom the Bullalo Courter of Saturday:—‘“During the month of October the receipts of grain at this port by lake (including four reckoned as wheat) Was 14,447,176 bushels, ap increase over 1872 of 3,132,267 bushels; from January 1 to Uctober 31, 64,435,744 bushels, an in- cre? over 1872 of 10J461,156 bushels, The exports of grain alone by canal since the opening of navigation to November 1, were 44,005,472 bushe: an imecrease over 1872 of 2,614,738 bushels. The receipts of canal tolls at this place September were $213,594 57, and from opening of navigation to November 1 aggregate $1,277,456 91; @n Increase over the corresponding period in 1872 of $38,389 51. The namber of boats cleared thus far this season 18 8,132, an increase over 1872 of 651, Canal freights te New York during the month of October fluctuated, opening at 12c. on wheat and 10}sc. on corn. The nighest price reached was 1336, on wheat and 12c, on corn, closing at 13c, on wheat and 11}c. and Iljgc. on corn, The ae movement from our elevators connecting with Erie and Central railroads, from January 1 to November 1, aggregated 7,916,766 bushels, an in- alana over correspondiug period in 1872 0! 1,901,024 ashes. THE LABOR SITUATION. The Building Strike—Non-Society Men Refusing the Reduced Wages—The Workingmen’s Union—The Soap Manufacturers. Labor scored a slight advantage over capital in the building strike contest yesteraay, At half- past one o'clock the laborers and bricklayers on Blackledge’s job at Bank ana Hudson streets, who were non-society men, knocked off work, refusing to proceed at the reduced wages which they had accepted. Some of them at once went to the bricklayer’s headquarters and became members of the striking body. The first demur came from the hod carriers, who were only getting $2 a day, and their cause was directly espoused by the brick- layers, who were to have $3 50. This success in the centre of the line was felt by the society to more than balance their check dowa town, where Messrs. Smith & Prodgers, contractors for the Western Union Telegraph building, put on a force of non-society laborers at the reduction, without a regular force of bricklayers except a few appren- tices and special men. From up town it was re. ported that the only job employing non-society men is Dr. Hall's church, and that there the brick- laying is costing the contractor more than if done by competent men at $6 per day, owing to the in- ferior character of the work, which, the society men say, ought to be condemned by the city Super- intendent of Buildings. A FALSE REPORT. In relation to the report that the proposition to accept the reduced rate of wages was discussed and found supporters in the secret meeting of Bricklayers’ Lodge No, 1, on Thursday evening, prominent members of the organization who were present at the meeting denounced it as utterly false from the start. They say no dis- cussion was had on the subject one way or the other, and the unanimous sentiment of the trade is to sustain the demand for the old wages. The Executive Councl in session yesterday, admitted reporters to the committee room, gave them infor, mation fully, and seemed confident that no society men Will accept the reduction of wages, GREEN HOD CARRIZRS PLENTY. Employers expressed confidence in their ability to inlly supply their necessities for laborers. They say there is no practical limit to the number of men ready to shoulder the hod at even the small compensation of $2 a day, glad to earn that rather than remain idle just now, when the cold season requires the expenditure of some money to avert suffering or death. Whether the labor to be had from this abundance of unemployed men not skilled in the building business will be found to answer the requirements of the trade is not yet fully determined, nor is 1t absolutely certain that these same men. who are so yielding and affable while idle, may not be- come more exacting after they are put at work, and ask for more pay, as they did yesterday in one instance. No doubt seems to be entertained that the Laborers’ Union will in the end aid the strikers, and they profess entire ability to support their idle members for several months. No great addition is made by the strike to the gross nuinber of men idle in the city. If non-society men re- place society men on the buildings, it only shifts the idleness from one man to another, and the society men have their organization to fall back upon jor sapport when worst comes to worst. WATCHMAKING GOING ON. Rumor had it that the United States Watch Com- pony, at Marion, N. J., of which Messrs. Giles, ‘ales & Co., of Maiden lane. are the agents, had discharged their hands and closed the factory, which is unfounded, This firm state that they have employed since the panic commenced, and still continue to employ, 200 hands, and intend to keep them on as long as possible. The payments aue the firm come in rather slow, yet they have been able to continue labor at their workshop without interruption, ENVELOPES AND CARDS. Business Fallen Off About One-Third— Anticipation of a Brisk Trade at an Early Day—No Hands Discharged, but Nearly All Working on Reduced Time. Manufacturers of envelopes and of cards were visited yesterday and their views ascertained Telative to the condition of their business. As in every other business, manufacturers in these branches of trade have suffered to some extent, though not so much as houses in the majority of other manufactures, The envelope is an article that must be used as well in time of a panic as in time of peace, and is as much in use to-day as it wastwo months ago. Itis easy to understand, therefore, how the depression in the trade is merely of a temporary character, and no matter how long the effects of the panic may last in other branches of business, in thia the depression must, if not entirely, at least to @ very great extent. gradually cease and a healthy condition of trade be revived. Manufacturers in every instance are endeavoring to keep their hands at work, though, with only a single exception, the empioyés are not working on full time. The total number of girls at work in the city at this business is about 600, a much smaller number than has been generally supposed. Asa rule, about ten per cent of the hands in any factory are males. The work done by the girls is very light, and the wages received by the best workwomen range from $10 to $12a week, The employers, a8 a rule, represent that there is con- siderable diMculty in making coilections, some of them saying that to collect large amounts is a serious undertaking, while others go so faras to say that even in collecting small bills itis astonishing to find how slow dealers are to part with their money. Country customers are making very jew purchases, betng distrast(ul of the future, and are endeavoring to work off their old stocks rather than invest their money in new ones, City customers buy only in small quantities for a similar reason. If would seem that this trade, though as @ whole it has suffered to the ex- tent of about one-third of the usual business, is only experiencing @ depression which 1s oonse- quent upon the nervousness of traders in general to venture upon any outlay. George Keay, of Jotin street, states that inde- pendent of his government contract for stamped envelopes he Soh caat for Ms ordigary business about ninety hands, seventy of whom are girls, He has been obliged to put his employés op half time, the hands working a half week each, Many notes have come back protested. Orders im some cases that had been given before the panic commenced were siuce countermanded. He does not believe that there will be anything doing betore February. ormation sent hime by his customers in the country is that business 1s ata standetill. Manu- facturers have been running down their stuc! preparing for a hard time, just as dealers are se! ing off their old stock, afraid to renew. There will be acarcely a necessity to reduce the prodne- tion lower than it has been, It has been found a diMecult task to make collections, Woodworth & Graham, of John street, repre- sent that their collections, all things considered, are good, thongh the sales are Jight. In October they were doing about half as much business as usnal, but this month there hus been @ steady in creas¢, 89 tay as Wey can judg, there is bot now NOVEMBER 8, 1873—TRIPLE SHEET. j doing in the general envelope business more than from a hall to two-thirds of the ordinary business, While they have usually four or five travellers on the road they have not even one now. Their em- ployés are working only on half time, or rather one half is idle one week, ana at work another. They expect that December and January will make up for the duiness since the panic. Raynor & Co., William and Jonn streets, are rap- bag? their factory only on half time—on half time for the girls and two-thirds time for the former numbering 125 and the latter 25. this month with them is about one-third less than at ordinary times. Collections, they say, are pretty \—betier than they could have expected under the circumstances, Alter January 1 they believe that trade must revive up to its old standard. Berlin & Jones, of William street, way that the small concerns, in their experience, have been pay- ing better than the large ones, although, at the same time, drafts have been retarned to them even for so low an amount as $5 25, They have been “pushing” business lately, and likely for that rea- son their sees have been good; but they do not believe wnat the general business is more than two- thirds of its usual statwa «They are running down their stock, as they do not wish to buy in large quantities at such atime as this, for the reason ‘bat customers are not buying. In their factor, their hands number 175, all of whom are at wor! irom nine o'clock A. M. to four P. M. In card stock Porter & Bainbridge, of Beekman street, say that they find business pretty good and that collections are very fair under the circum- stances, Business was for the first few weeks after | the panic very slow, and they were obliged to put their hands on three-quarters time, but on Thur: day last the full time was resumed, and they antic! ate they will not be called upon again to reduce A About thirty hands are eimployed in the fac- ory. R. W. Roby & Co., of Ann street, afirm that they have no reason to complain, Business ts of course dull and collections are dificult to make, but they keep all their hands at work in making ready for “the good time coming.” Mr. Levy, of the Consolidated Playing Card Com- pany, in William street, was called upon ior infor- mation as to this branch of the business, and he said that though business is rather dull just now, like every other business, yet the company was keeping its 400 hands at work on Juli time, in an- ticipation of the busy time in this business, which wul be soon at hand, COOPERS STRIKING, It was ascertained that, a reduction of coopers’ Wages having been proposed by the New York Steam Sugar Refining Comoany from $3 to $2 50, all the society coopers have left the company’s works, and the issue is as yet unsettled, IDLE PARASOL MAKERS. The Secretary of the Workingmen’s Union states that 200 parasol makers are idle in consequence of @ proposed reduction of their wages by the mman- ufacturers, THE WORKINGMEN’S UNION. This society, formed of delegates from the various trade organizations of the city, held its regular Meeting last night. Owing to the unfavorable weather only a small attendance was present. Mr. Sutliffe, President of the Union, presided. A report by Mr. Rice, President of the Brick- layers’ General Council, represented that the attempt of the employing masons to reduce the wages of bricklayers fifty cents per day has prac- tically tailed. none of the society men having ac- cepted the reduction and outside bricklayers being ony employed on the new church, Filth avenue and Filty-fifth street. Two other large jobs so far adhere to the proposition to pay no more than | $8 50; but these so far have secured none pretend- ing to be bri ers to replace the seventy men, A FREE TRADE DISCUSSION, On behalf of the silk hat finishers a preamble and resolutions were introduced, asking Congress to repeal the tariff on hatters’ silk plush, an ar- ticle which the trade considers as raw material not capable of production in this country. This led toa very spicy discussion, going deeply into the subjects of protection and free -trade. Mr. Sutlitfe alone opposed the resolution, as a protectionist; while about a dozen gentlemen warmly advocated the proposed change, which, it was urged, would largely cheapen Sunday hats and afford great increase of labor to the hat- makers, The resolutions were adopted. MR. BRADLAUGH’S LECTURE. Acommittee of arrangements was named in re- lation to the lecture by Mr. Bradiaugh before the Union at Cooper Institute next Thursday evening on the subject of labor. After some routine busi- ness the Union adjourned, THE SOAP MANUFACTURERS. In this trade there is evidently but little depres- sion, Mr. A. B. Simmonds, of Enoch Morgan & Co., in Park place, said that instead of discharging men they had hired a good many new hands. They employed about seventy-five men and had not a single ton of soap surplus. He thought the panic had scarcely affected the trade at all, except in the single point of collections, which had been worse than they ever were before. He thought there were not 100 workmen employed in soap manufac- tories out of work, else they would have more ap- plications for work. Most of their men earned about $12 a week, and some of them had four or five children to support, and still they appeared to be happy. Mr. Colgate, of Colgate & Co., in John street, said the prospects of the trade were very fair. They employed 200 men, and had discharged but few of them, but put most of them on half or three-quar- ter time. They had not sold much less than they did during the last year, but they thought they ought to have sold more, owing to their greatly increased faciliuies. There was no difference in the prices as they were before the panic and as they were now, as they had made their shrinkage before the panic. As the season advanced he thonght there would be a decided tmprovement, although the trade during the winter was gener- ally dull, Brown washing soap and the finest | grades of toilet soaps haa sold with comparative | freedom, but there had been a falling off in the | lower grades of toilet soaps. The extremes had | heid their own. Collections, although they were | not So good as usual, were not very much below | the average. The grocers, druggists, &c., with whom they traded were, in their opinion, as sol- vent as ever. Other manufacturers of soap were also visited, | but their statements failed to shed any additional | light upon the subject. One of them thourht that | there Was great depression tn this branch of trade, | LABOR MOVEMENT IN BROOKLYN. How the Operatives of the Notting=- ham Lace Factory Suffer from the Pante. Some two years since Mr. A. G. Jennings erected 4@ six story brick structure on Park avenue, ex- tending from Hall street to Ryerson, in which he placed elaborate machinery for the manufacture of “Nottingham lace.” This was the only mano- factory of the kind in this country, and the persons employed in making lace, silk nets, &c, were for the greater part brought here from Eng- land, as very few Americans knew anything about the work. This factory gave | employment to a Jarge number of persons, for the most part people of family, until recently, When the stringency in the money market curta‘led the demand and compelied the discharge of many Operatives. Until recently the fashions predominant required that the ladies should en- case their chignons in silk nets, the manulacture of which kept many hands remuneratively em- | ployed and supplied the means of livelinood for the industrious men and women of the Nottingham factory. The wheel of fashion taking a turn, how- ever, Whereby the nets were thrown aside, and the capillary adornment no longer calling for this branch of industry, left the fingers of the net akers idie. Following close upon this misfortune were other changes which effected the sale of other materials manufac- tured at this place. Merchants who were in the habit of giving large orders for atock in advance no longer do so, ordering only when a sale can be made and in as iinited quantities as possible. Con- sequently @ majority of the operatives find the: selves out of employment on the verge of a severe winter, doubtless, and compelled to seex labor in some hitherto unexplored channei of industry. This condition 16 one calculated to exctte commisera- tion at this epoch. There are not more than thirty persons now employed at the factory, just sumi- ctent to keep it going. BFFRCT ON THE RAILROAD COMPANIBS. “How do you find the panic affect travel on the Brooklyn city railroad lines!’ inquired a repre- sentative of the Hrwap of an oficial connected with the corporation in question yesterday. ery materially, str,’ was the reply. “I can assure you we begin to feel the effect of the de- pression in business to an appreciable extent in the amount of our receipts. Jt cannot be other- wise with public conveyances, !uasmuch as people who are out of employment and have no piace of business to journey to find it pay best to re- main off the ears and save the fare. In the early morning and evening trips more particularly is this diminution in the number of passengers re- marked. This eircumstance is becoming a matter of comment among regular riders on the line. 1 fear that the receipts of the City Railroad Com- pany will atill further fail off as the season in- creases in severity, We will, however, keep our one force of hands at work throughout the winter.” THE CITY TO THE RESCUE. Alderman Ropes, after consultation with Comp- troller Schroeder, has decided to offer a resolution in the Board of Aldermen on Monday directing the board of City Works to confer with the Mayor and Comptrolier to devise some proper means for giv- ing employment to the laboring classes who are and may be deprived of work. Mr, Ropes says that if such action is not already sustained by law then he is strongly in favor of stretching the point in the cause of humanity and reiying upon the Legisiatare to legalize the action. Comptroller Schroeder will heartily co-operate | the Department of HELP FOR LABOR. i! The Aid Whieh the Municipal Gov- ernment is Prepared to Extend to the Laboring Classes, The threatenings of a severe winter which come with such dire import to the poor are this year rendered more ominous by the alarming tightness of money and @ consequent searcity of work. Men who have never known absolute want before now see poverty and need staring them in the | face. The thousands of poor waifs elbowed and shouldered ont of the better walks of ltfe by the closing of mills and the suspension of factories see | naught before them now but biack despair. Ii they have money they tremble for the safety of the | bank which has it in its keeping. It is only natural that men who have been thrown out of their reguiar employment in the trades with no prospect for another engagement should turn to the city tor assistance, The departments of the city government give employment to a great num- ber of laboring men, and the extent to which the municipality would be able to ald the poor has been a matter of great concern. A tour among the various departments by HeraLp reporters dis- closed the exact condition of affairs and gives @ correct estimate of the help which the city is pre- pared to offer. The Department of Public Works could employ a great many more men, There are always Lew streets to be opened’and new grades to be regu- lated. The lack of money is the great trouble. The antagonism existing between Commissioner Van Nort and Comptroller Green may have some- What to do with it, The Department of Docks cannot increase its force during the winter months. The nature of the work to be done is such that men cannot perform it in the season ofice. The divers cannot work on the new pliers when the water is at the freezing point. The Department of Parks, like that of Public Works, finds itself cramped for money. There is plenty of work to be done if men could be hired for nothing and paid in promises. President Wales ts evidently willing but powerless to help the labor- ing classes. The Commissioners of Charity have taken active measures to anticipate the wretchedness which a | want of expenditure of money upon the parks and streets must entail. This Board is preparing to handle a great char ty in a business-like manner. THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS. Commissioner Van Nort, at the head of the most important department of the city, received a HeRALD reporter courteously and gave him the foi- lowing information :— The vomptroller of the city of New York is au- thorized to raise $1,000,000 jor the use of the De- partment of Public Works for the improvementand regulation of the Riverside, Morningside and the several other parks under the jurisdiction of the Department, Nothing has been done on these works during the current year from the fact that the Comptroller has not furnished the Department of Public Works with money to carry on tne projected improvements, The consequence is that property which has been assessed for laying out these parks has received no benefit, owing to the non-improvement of them. The work on the avenues bounding these parks was begun by the Commissioner of Public Works during the year 1572, and was suspended on May 1, 1873, owing to the fact that Mr. Hawkins, the coun- sel representing the Comptroller at Albany, pro- cured the insertion of an amendment to the city charter which placed the matter in doubt as to where the power was lodged to execute the work. Since that date no work has been done, and can- not be until the charter is relieved of this doubt- ful clause. DISCHARGING THE MEN, Even the current repairs which are absolutely necessary have to be abandoned and men have been thrown out of employment on account of the wrongheadedness—to put it mildly—of Comptrol- ler Green, Commissioner Van Nort has just dis- charged the men employed 9n repairs of wooden and concrete pavements to the number of 57, and the men doing the repairs and sprinkling of 5 the employment of several thousand laboring men during the winter, has led the sufferers to turn their eyes toward this department o! the municipal government, Day alter day the doors and lobbies of the offices on Union square are thronged with anxious faces asking, even beseeching, employ- ment. The homes of the members of the Board are visited nearly every evening by these same labor- ing men asking that something be done to keep them from the verge of starvation, The coun- tenances of these men show the burden of their hearts. One man who now asks employment as a common laborer has just been thrown out of work by the reduction of the number of employés tn aneast side factory. The next owes his present critical position to the shutting down of a machine shop in which he has been employed. Kven tradesmen are threatened with iike distress, for in these times of stress and storm to lose a place is to be cast upon the mercy of the world. The most hopeful reports which a hewspaper man receives at any place are, “We are not discharging any men, but we are not eso- Ploying any additional force.” PLACES ARE NOT TO BE FOUND even by the most deserving workmen in some ob the trades, This being the case, there is no way Out Of absolute distress but to seek, and, if pos- sible, obtain employment in the service of the city. The plainly printed notices to workmen are passed unheeded at the door, and each prospective suf- ferer is convinced that he can impress the Board with the necessities of his particular case. Tho President of the Department regrets lus inability to give the aid to the needy which his heart would prompt: but the inability of the Board to employ men whom there is not any money in the treasury to pay renders them powerless to affard any relief, A reporter of the HERALD called upon President Salem H. Wales yesterday afternoon to learn the intention of the Park Commission regarding the employment of laborers during the coming winter “Will the stringency in the money market affect the progress of the work in your department?” asked the reporter. “Yes; the panic affects us very materially,” re- plied Mr. Wales, “more, probably, than any other department of the city government. In August last we made a requisition on the Board of Award for $300,000, to maintain the condition of the fae It was promptly voted and paid over to us. ‘his amount will be barely sufficient to ron us through the year, on a decreased basis of employ- ment. We shall be compelled to reduce the force on the maintenance of the parks and to transfer ea to the construction gang on Morningside Park.” _, , WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM. “What is the object of this transfer, may I ask? inquired the HERALD man, “To keep the men in employment,” replied Mr. Wales. “Were the transfer not made the men would certainly have to be discharged or work for nothing. While the torce of laborers will not be reduced itcertainly cannot be increased. No one is more sorry than | that the department is power- less to heip the poor; but we have no money.”’ “Where does the fund which maintains the Park Commission come from? How is the money raised ?”’ asked the reporter. “Tam glad toexplain this,” said Mr. Wales, “as the people do not generally understand how tt is that we are really more crippled than any other department in the city. There are two funds from which the moneys used by this Board are drawnt The construction fund comes from the Legis lature and accrues from the sale of bonds. The negotiation of these bonds rests wit the Comptroller, and while he is bound by law t furnish the money, he cannot do so unless the bonds are negotiable. That Comptroller Green has had great trouble in raising money on these bonds there is no doubt. This does not help us out any, however, and we must look to the Comptroller for the money. Thus you see that when we take men off the maintenance force and put them on the construction gang we relicve our municipal appro- priation at the sacrifice of the legislative grant. The fund sor maintenance ig derived, as I betore stated, irom the Board of Estimate and Award. When the award is made we are sure of our money if there is any in the city treasury. If we had more money, by pushing the work on the new parks we could employ several hundred more men.’? THE DEPARTMENT OF CHARITIES, The winter comes drearily enough to all those who rely even in small part upon the assistance ot the city for maintenance. The capacity of the Board of Charities has in former years been se- verely taxed as to its resources to provide the few necessaries to keep death from the tenements ot the poor. The hearty co-operation of private be- nevolence has, in many instances, served as an in- valuable auxiliary to the public officials. The ex- perience of former years has taught the commis- sioners and employés of the department how to country roads, pumbering 22, om account of the appropriations for th works being exhausted. There are at _ present em- ployed on repairs to stone pavements 388 pavers and laburers, who will be discharged on the 15th inst., as the funds provided for this work are inadequate for Cot fea 9 it on, leaving a large portion of it unfinished, although it is apsolutely necessary that it should be brought to a compie- tion, A large force could have been employed dur- ing the whole season, and could be still employed, if adequate means were supplied for the purpose. Further discharges will be made on other similar works from time to time as the funds run out, THE MEN NOW AT WORK, ‘There are at present employed 1,125 men on the Boulevards, from Fifty-ninth to 155th street; ave- nue St. Nicholas, from 110th to 155th street; Tenth avenue, irom 155th street to Fort George Hill; Sev- enty-second street, irom Central Park to Riverside Park, These works are nearly completed, and some of them will be entirely finisued and the men not required on them on or before January 1. THE WORK ON THE STREETS. Under authority o! the last Legislature the fol- lowing streets and avenues are to be tmproved by | Public Works in @ man- ner similar to the Boulevards, and the force now employed on the above-mentioned works could | be used for the improvement of these several | streets and avenues, viz."—Seventy-second strect, | Fifth avenue toavenne A; avenue A, Fifty-seventh to ighty-sixth street; Seventy-ninth street, ave- nue A to avenue B; avenue B, irom Seventy-ninth to Eighty-sixth street; Ninety-s'xth street, from Fifth avenue to Second avenue; 110th street, from Riverside avenue to avenue A; 116th street, Sixth avenue to avenue A; also avenue A, from 11éth street to Harlem River. The Department of Public Works could keep tuese 1,125 men at work on the above if the money is provided. There are at present employed in laying Croton water pipes throughout Various parts of the city, with a view of giving @ better distribution, 875 men. On the Tenth avenue work of laying mains for changing the mason work of the Croton aqueduct between Ninety-second and 113th streets there are at pres- ent engaged 420 men. This force will be con- tinued, One thousand men are now employed on the con- tract work, which is being prosecuted aud will be continued to completion, though some of the con- tractors say they cannot get their money from the Comptroller, Others are compelled to take city bonds, THE LATEST CONTRACTS AWARDED. Commissioner Van Nort has awarded the follow- ing contracts for public improvements, the pro- | ite for which were opene: er last :— on the 3st of Octo- between Lawrence and 130th & ‘ st 2th st, between 1th ay. and Hud- son River... PUES In 95th and $Sth sts, between Ist and Sd avs...... In 111th and 112th ats., between Ist av. and ay. A. roome st., between Mulberry and Mott sts... In Elm st, betwes a Broome sts. ‘ In 106th st., betwe ay. and Harlem River. In Cannon st, between Grand and Broome sts. Between 920 and 106th sts. UNDERGROUND DRAINS. Sd ay. a ot Madison av., from 99th to losth st 2 st., from 11th ay. to North River. 43d st., from Ist av. to Bast River... ‘56th st, from Sd ay. to Rive: ‘e0th st., from ist av. to av. A. 6lst st.. from Boulevard to 9th av. 64th sf., from. 9th to 10th a 92d st.,'trom Sth ay. to the Madison av., from 124th st. CURR, Gi 7ath st. 42d 81 FLAGGING. 48th st., between 9th and 10th avs... BLLTRS 67th st., between 11th av. and Hudson River....... 1,001 69h st., between Sd and 4th epbenciecioie’)) SME PAVING, 20 av., from 6%4 to 66th st , from 1th to th’ av. + from 24 to Lexington av... trom 4th to Sth av. ‘om 66th to R6th st. THE RESPONSI The above list has been sent to Comptrolier Green. If he approves of the sureties the con- tracts will be entered into, and the prosecution of the works will give employment to upwards of 1,000 men. If he withholds his approval the con- tracts cannot go into effect. There is much ground for the apprehension that Mr. Green will adhere to his old course and refuse his sanction from pure “cussedness.” Of course a laces addition! num- ber of men could be employed by the Department for public works, on improvements, &c., which are penne not of immediate necessity, but which wi!l ave to be made sooner or later. It is the opinion generally expressed that, if the laboring elements have to be an expense entailed upon the city, it is better to furnish them employment and pay them for it, and thus get the work done. THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS ‘The great opportunities for the employment of laboring men which are afforded in the new parks in all lawful measures; but, meanwhile, he says that he is ready to give $100 per mouth Loward re lieving the poor bi constrocting in the upper portions of the city and the imperative necessity which presents itself for prepare for the season of need, and to forsee the calamities of such a winter as is now threatened. Commissioner Myer Stern has greatly interested limself in the subject of providing homes for the destitute during the winter. Those who have never known what absolute need is, are now threarened with the most abject poverty. The accommodations at THE POLICE STATION HOUSES are utterly inadequate to the requirements which are likely to be made upon them. The large, bar- Ten room which is provided at the station houses 18 also wanting in even the simplest comforts and is too dirty for the better class of sober and honest but destitute peopie who are likely to be forced to seek lodging there if no better offers. Comptroller Green states in a letter to Commissioner Stern, dated October 28, that the Comunissioners of the Sinking Fuod having charge of the unoccupied houses belonging to the city will place at the dia- posal of the poor of the metropolis such parts of this property as can be given upto this use. The Comptroller suggests that some parts of the markets might be avatilable for this purpose. Mr. Stern proposes to fit them up apd to furnish some means of heating them. He even goes to propose to furnish a m breakfast for the workingmen so that they may leave home in good spirits, This is a gigantic undertaking and whether capable of being carried out or not deserves careful consider- ation, should the needs be as great as feared. In the department itself the usual number of men are employed; none have been discharged. There are now 300 men im the service of the Board. They are all contented and happy. THE DEPARTMENT OF DOOKS. A HERALD reporter called at the oMces of the Department of Docks and had an interview with Commissioners Budd and Westervelt, from whom he ascertained the following facts and figures :— There are at present 510 mechanics and laborers employed by the department. This number will bo gradually increased to 350, but this season of the year being very adverse to the construction of the works, the department could not find employment for many more men during the winter montns. The Commissioners of the Sinking Fund are authorizea to issue bonds for $3,000,000 annually for the use of the department, but the fi is that the total expenditures from October 31, 1872, to October 31, 1873, were only $611,274, while the receipts for dock rents last year were $448,640 51, and, it is expected, will be about $500,000 during the present year. Thus it is evident that onlya small portion of the amount autnorized has been expended, although there ts urgent NRED FOR IMPROVEMENTS coming within the scope of the Department of Docks, It is to be remembered that these im- provements would be a profitable investment for the city, repaying not only the current interest of seven per cent, but tke principal aad a handsome profit besides into the Sinking Fund, without considering the great public benefit arising from the increase of commerce and taxable property. The question now arises, Why does not the Depart. ment of Docks make improvements on a larger scale? as it was evidently expected to do when the appropriation of $3,000,000 was made. Comp- troller Green hoids $1,000,000 which were appro- priated for the department by tne Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, and yet thousands of laborers have been for some time out of work, and will per- haps prove an expensive burden to the city, 4 CHANCE FOR WORK, Commissioner Budd said all the granite used by the Department of Docks is brought from Maine, cut and dressed. While we have to go to Maine for our granite, it would be better fof the city to give employment to a large number of stonecut- ters by having the granite cut here. The extra cost of the work would be small compared to the expenditure entailed on the city by thousands of men out of employment. THE STREET CLEANING BUREAU, The Street Cleaning Bureau of the Police De- partment is annually reduced to a winter standard about the middle of November. The streets will have to be cleaned this winter just as on all pre- vious years. The streets cannot be allowed to be- come grass-grown or clogged with dirt. The force will number about 1,200 men, whose wages wiil vary from $1 75 to $3 per day. The force cannot. be largely increased duri the winter season unless @ heavy fall of sno’ ould necessitate the employment of a large ga! for a few days. This bureau offers no hope to the laboring men, PATAL TRUCK CASUALTY, About half-past two o'clock yesterday afternoon Michael O'Brien, a lad ten years of age, was run over on Twenty-fourth street, between Seventh and Eighth avenues, by ® pair of horses attached to a truck and almost instantly killed, The body Was taken to the residence of the par 4 West Twenty-fifth street, where poner’ Reston was notified to hold an inquest, James Henry, driver of (he herses, Was arrested and detained,