It is hoped that they will be able to hold out until the end of June, when the busy season for making winter clothes begins, and when the wholesale houses will be obliged to consent to pay higher prices for the garments or lose their winter business.
A great deal of sympathy is felt for the strikers. The President of the Police Board actually went to one of their meetings and addressed them.
He told them that he believed their cause was a proper one, but warned them that they would ruin themselves if they used any violence.
He said that he had been told that some of their number had begun to get restless and grumble, so he had dropped in on them in a friendly way, to ask them to be careful, and not do anything to bring them in contact with the police.
So far there has been no rioting or violence.
The contractors have offered to take the men back and pay them the wages they ask, on the "piece" system, which means that they will give a certain sum for each garment they make.
The leaders of the strike will not consent to this. They think that paying by the piece will make it possible for the sweating system to come into use again, and this they say is a much worse evil than the one they are now trying to cure.
A surprising discovery was made at West Point the other day.