Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 December 1892 — WAGES ARE GOING UP. [ARTICLE]

WAGES ARE GOING UP.

FACTS FOR HIGH-TARIFFITES TO READ. Able Journals Say Expeditious Measures Should Be Taken to stop the Tariff Robbery—Evidences that the People Are With the Incoming Administration. All Since the Election. The McKinley bill took effect in October, 1890. It.had full sway, until November Bth, 1892—two years and two months —when two-thirds of the American people got sick and tired of “McKinley prosperity.” During this period mere than 1,000 wage reductions occurred in protected industries. The Reform Club of New York published 700 last July, and now has about 500 more ready to add to the list, and It is probable that the ground has not yet been half covered. Anxious to-show that the McKinley wage-advancing bill was not a complete farce, the protectionists made desperate efforts last summer to find cases of wage advances. Circulars were sent out to protected manufacturers. Twenty-eight reported advances, and the American Economist printed the list with a great flourish. Their joy was of short duration. The Reform Club quickly obtained the facts in eacli case. These showed that wages had actually been reduced in abotit half of the cases. In the four or five cases where advances had occurred, they were due entirely to the demands of effective labor organizations. The McKinley bill as a wageadvancer was not a “howling success.” On Nov. 8, the course of human events struck a snag and reversed its wheels. A few of tne protected manufacturers, notably Carnegie, Frick & Co. and the Pottstown Iron Company, have gone on reducing wages just as if the election had not occurred. But generally, the' downward tendency has been checked and an upward tendency is manifest. Here are some of the advances reported by the Associated Press: Lowell; Mass., 'Nov. "15. —'&t a meeting of the agents of the Lowell cotton mills it was decided to grant an increase, not to exceed T per cent. , in the wages of operatives, to take effect Dec. 4. Boston, Nov. 15.—The owners of the Carpenter Mills, at Providence, to-day voted to raise the wages of their employes 15 per cent., without demand.

The owners of the Goddard Mills, the Lonsdale Company, and the B. B. &D. Knights, the largest cotton mills in the world, to-day announce a voluntary increase, hinted to be between 6 and 7 per cent. Wheeling, W. Va., Nov. 16. Thomas Meare, proprietor of the largest Reg ahU barrel factory in this part of the country, to-day notified bis men of an advance in wages of 10 per cent, all around. +. Boston,-Jtaßß.)Nov. 17.—The Blackstone Manufacturing Co., cotton manufacturers, of Blackstone, Mass., today posted notice that they will advance wages Dec. 5. Providence, R. 1., Nov. 17.—A1l the cotton mills in the State will follow the lead of the two big firms and Increase wages at an early date. The Messrs. Goddard are still undecided whether tb make the advance 7 or 10 per cent. There is the greatest rejoicing among the operatives. Lowell, Mass., Nov. 18.—The carpet corporation followed the lead, of, the cotton mills to-day and raised wages 7 per cent., beginning Dec. 5. Rockford, 111., Nov. 20.—The Mechanics’ Furniture Co., which employs a large number of bands, posted’ notices on Saturday evening that, beginning with Monday, there would be a general advance in wages. Providence, R. 1., Nov. 20.—Four more Rhode Island cotton mills have posted notices of increased wages, to take effect the first week in December, while one factory grants an increase on Dec. 1, and,, another on Jan. 1.

Greensburg, Pa., Nov. 26. —The packers in the United States Glass Company’s works were last week notified that their hours of work would be lessened from ten to nine hours per day, and wages raised from sl2 to sl3, beginning with Monday, Nov. 21. It is thought the change will be made in all the fifteen factories of the company. Lowell, Mass., November.—Lowell spinners want 10 per cent, increase instead of 7 per cent., that is to go into effect shortly. Providence, B. I.—The increase of the J. & P. Coates Co., Limited, at Pawtucket, will be from 10 to 15 per cent, in all departments. Within less than one month after the McKinley bill was frost-bitten, more genuine advances in protected industries have come to the surface, of their own accord, than all the Republicans could dig up in two years of strict McKinley rule. Perhaps the American Economist may care to investigate as to the accuracy of these strange phenomena.