The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-03-12

MASTER builders UsoS-Last night meet
Ing Of the master builders Of the District was
and In the absence Of the president, Mr.. George
W. Hardness, (vice president,) took the chair,
with MIR. a, DAVIS as secretary.
tion Of the sixth article OF the bylaws. which
provided THAT no member OF this association
shall accept estimates from or employ master
mechanics who are not members Of this associa-
ton"
Mr.. y. Hutehins moved that the further con-
sideration Of the article be deferred.
Mr. Wilson Z, Brown moved that the article
be stricken from the bylaws, which motion was
seconded BY Mr.. solomon J. Fague.
present, the secretary called the roll, and twenty
four members answered to their names.
Mr.: Brown then renewed his motion to strike
The Chair remarked that the contractors were
largely In the majority, and favored the espung-
Mr. Brown regarded 1t a matter Of principle,
and desired the best feeling to exist among mas.
ter mechanics. Persons meeting In organize
other and their business, and notwithstanding
he has lived In Washington twenty-five years,
there were gentlemen present whom he did not
stricken from the bylaws.
The question nS hSeS Pvt the 9Th sns f SS was
hundred copies ordered to be printed.
Mr.. Faguc suggested that a committee be ap.
P PsoS S pss Old I
Mr.. Humphrey saw no use for book Of prices.
Mr.. Fague saw great use for the book for rea.
Mr. Hardness said he helped to get up the old
book of prices, and II proved very useful In suits
before court and was used as a guide even to
the present time In determining cases In dispute.
There were persons who undertook to measure
work, many OF whom knew no more about IL
go into court now with measuret's statement,
the lawyers win ask, where Is your book Of
statement. He advocated a book OF prices, and
said 1t would cost nothing, as any publish
would print 1t In order to sell thousands OF
Mr.. Faguc said even the physicians had rcgu;
lar fixed prices for visiting your family, and
were protected BY acts of Congress, and he saw
no reason why carpenter or bricklayer visiting
the doctors house should not have his price.
Mr.. II. Reynolds remarked that II you buy
brick and furnish sand for 80 cents, by the old
book, you're beat.
W. f. Brown said he was not only In favor OF
a book Of prices, but rules should be laid down
by which work should be measured, aud gave a
detailed account OF a transaction occurring re-
garding work done for the Government, the pay.
ment OF which was disputed because the csti.
He would suggest that committee Of five be APP
pointed to take the matter into consideration,
and that the committee select such men as are
competent for the several branches of trade TO
prepare q book of prices.
Mr.. Faguc hoped II would be Understood that
the committee was to comprise members OF this
Mr. VIM. Hutchins thought 1t best to appoint
the permanent committee from the present
meeting, and suggested that one from each
branch OF trade be selected.
Mr.. Brown hoped the permanent committee
would consist OF i've from each branch OF trade,
ms It would take some time to prepare a book OF
the kind contemplated.
Mr.. Is. Hutchins moved to amend by appoint
ing one from each of the trades represented to
select four from each organization to revise the
book OF prices.
The latter motion prevailed, and the committee
appointed are as follows. Nicholas Acker, stone
cutter; 7. q, Wilson, carpenter; Il. Hutchins
brlcklayeF; John A. Stewart, plasterer; Thos
A. Brown, painter; II. Richie, timer and Geo
Courtney, plumber"
The committee was empowered toGonsult with
and select leading master mechanics on the per
manent committee, who are not members OF the
Master Builders Union.
The printing Of the notices of meeting are or
dercd to be published In the IfeHigencer Star ant
Express, and Mr.. Fague was sorry to see SO few In
attendance at the meeting. He hoped the secre
tary would appeal to the members to be In force
/ at the next meeting by informing them by adver
tisemcnt that important matters would engage
| their attention.