British Whig (Kingston, ON), Oct. 20, 1883

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AN OSWEGO BREEZE.

Oswego, Oct. 20th - There is excitement here over the arrival of twenty-five Canadians to take the place of longshoremen in the employ of the Rathbun Company. The head of the firm was asked why he imported this labor.

He said: It is because of the outrageous prices charged by the union for handling lumber. They charge 25 cents a thousand for unloading vessels that carry under 300,000 feet, and 30 cents a thousand for vessels carrying over 300,000 feet, and 40 cents for unloading hard lumber.

He said the Canadians unload their vessels for 20 cents per thousand and load their canal boats $3 less than the union men.

Members of the Longshoremen's Union say the trouble originated over the unloading of the barge Resolute. The laws of the Union say that the price for unloading vessels carrying over 300,000 feet shall be 30 cents. The Union decided that the barge carried near enough to 300,000 feet to charge 30 cents. This made a difference of fifteen dollars in the price for unloading the barge.

A longshoreman said: "There'll be murder on the flats if those fellows don't stick pretty well to their quarter." On Thursday evening a meeting was held. It was voted unanimously that no Union man would handle any lumber, lath or shingles or do any other work coming under the rules of the Union for the firm of the Rathbun Company until they discharge the Canadian labourers brought to take the place of the Union men.

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Today's Marine News.

The steam barge Adventure has cleared for Montreal with peas.

About 130 men are employed in the construction of the Tay Canal.

The schrs. Glenora and Gaskin are being loaded with grain at Duluth for Kingston.

The schooner Speedwell is being fitted out with a new main mast and spars at Deseronto.

The Reliance is at Picton taking in a cargo of 100 tons of canned plums for Rochester, the shipment being from Boulter & Dunning's extensive establishment.

Rathbun & Co.'s agents at Oswego have imported Canadians to unload their lumber vessels, and there is a commotion among American labourers. Trouble is feared.

The steamer Ontario, owned by Mr. J. Allen, of Perth, and which plied from Kingston to Montreal via Rideau Canal, has been sold to a brother of Edward Hanlan, of Toronto. The price is said to be $8,000. Mr. Hanlan is in the city to take the steamer westward. She will be used on the ferry.

New Coal Firm - Messrs. J.H. Booth and L.W. Breck compose the firm now establishing a new coal yard on the Molson estate, King Street West. Their stock will arrive next week.