Philadelphia Inquirer, December 31, 1898View transcription
STRIKERS' THREATS
Camden Police Notified That Wagner Glass Works Were in Danger of Being Burned
TROUBLE OVER WAGES
Police Take Precautions, But There Is No Sign of Lawlessness—New Hands Being Hired
There is a strike on at the Wagner Glass Works, Atlantic and Ferry avenues, Camden. Yesterday a representative of the firm called at the City Hall and told a rather startling story of a plot, or at least threats, to burn the works. He asked that policemen be detailed to protect the company's property.
The glass workers went out last Wednesday. The strike is due to the firm ordering a change from time work to piece work, and presenting a scale under which, the firm claimed, the employes could make as much money as they had been getting. The workmen claimed that their wages would be reduced, and refused to accept the new scale. They are union men, and, it is said that the firm engaged non-union men and proposed to start up the works to-day. This became known to the strikers, and it is alleged that threats were made of burning the works if "scabs" were employed.
Chief of Police Foster sent Captain Stanley to the Wagner Glass Works to see if a strong police detail was needed. The captain found a few groups of strikers near the entrance to the works, but there was no symptoms of lawlessness. He talked with some of the glass workers, and they denied that there was any need of police protection. Captain Stanley posted an officer at the works, and arranged to have a reserve force ready for call if it was needed. Trouble is looked for if an attempt is made to start up the plant with new men to-day.
Philadelphia Inquirer, December 31, 1898 — page 2
Camden Police Notified That Wagner Glass Works Were in Danger of Being Burned — Trouble Over Wages — Police Take Precautions, But There Is No Sign of Lawlessness — New Hands Being Hired
There is a strike on at the Wagner Glass Works, Atlantic and Ferry avenues, Camden. Yesterday a representative of the firm called at the City Hall and told a rather startling story of a plot, or at least threats, to burn the works. He asked that policemen be detailed to protect the company's property.
The glass workers went out last Wednesday. The strike is due to the firm ordering a change from time work to piece work, and presenting a scale under which, the firm claimed, the employes could make as much money as they had been getting. The workmen claimed that their wages would be reduced, and refused to accept the new scale. They are union men, and, it is said, the firm engaged non-union men and proposed to start up the works to-day. This became known to the strikers, and it is alleged that threats were made of burning the works if "scabs" were employed.
Chief of Police Foster sent Captain Stanley to the Wagner Glass Works to see if a strong police detail was needed. The captain found a few groups of strikers near the entrance to the works, but there was no symptoms of lawlessness. He talked with some of the glass workers, and they denied that there was any need of police protection. Captain Stanley posted an officer at the works, and arranged to have a reserve force ready for call if it was needed. Trouble is looked for if an attempt is made to start up the plant with new men to-day.
