Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-03-12
Master Builders Union

The regular weekly meeting of the Master
Builders Union was held last evening al their
hall, corner sth and T. streets; the Vice Presi-
dent, Mr.. Geo. W. HaTkness, in the chair, and
A. Davis, Secretary.
The sixth article of the bylaws, providing
mat no member of the Union should accept
estimates from or enploy master mechanics
who were not members of the association, was
Mr.. S. J. Fsgue moved that the article be
stricken out. He thought IL would be time
enough TO have such an article when the asso-
cation was older and had more experience.
Mr.. w. Z Brown thought IL was a matter of
honor among the members; OF course members
Of The Union would be pat onized by each other.
He was in IA, or of striking out the section
referred 10. The members of the Union, by
meeting here, would become acquainted with
each other, and the association would be a
mutual benefit. He had resided in this city
twenty-five years, but there were gentlemen in
the room whom he did not know.
The Chair thought no member of the asse-
elation would hunt for persons outside of the
association TO do work when they could secure
nrst-class wor kmen in the association.
The motion 10 strike out the sixth section was
adopted; and the constitution and bylaws
were then adopted as a whole.
Mr.. Brown moved that a committee of three
be appointed 10 have the constitution and by-
laws printed; adopted, and the Chair appointed
Gessrs. W. T. Brown, Benedict Hutchins and
John A. Stewart.
Mr.. Fsgue said there was great necessity
among mechanics for book OF prices He
prepare such a book, which woul1 be a guide
for workmen. The committee should be from
the different trades, and by this plan some
basis to work upon could be made. The old
book of prices amounted TO nothing now Il.
necessary TO go in court to recover money for
work and Ii should be adjudged by the old
book OF prices, nothing could be recovered
The only way TO recover would be 10 value the
work az so much per diem.
Mr.. II humphrey inquired If book Of prices
would be recognized in court.
EaOna fhao rfrfS "a a..
book OF prlces as n general thing.
Mr.. Hardness said the old book of prices had
been very useful, but times had changed since
IL was arranged. As 10 meas urement Of work
IL was often made incorrectly. The measurers
often fixed enormous prices in order to make
their commission swell up, but honest work
men would not present such enormous bills as
they nxed- be spoke of a case where he paid
$40 commission and then knocked $3.50 of of
the bill which he (the measurer) made ont
Some measuIers knew nothing about their bu-
slness DE advocated a new book of prices
and said il would cost nothing to publish tn.
same, as any publisher would take il in band
Mr.. Brown said he was IN favor of having
new book OF prices which should also estab-
work on the Patent Officsextsnsion some time
siRce one mefsurer valued n at Sl9.Ool, while
four or five others valued il at $4,000 He
moved that committee of fl We be- appointed TO
arrange for new book of prices.
MI. Hutchins moved that committee of one
rom each trade represented, BE- appointed,
which committee should have power TO select
four others from each trade, and have a book of
prices prepared adopted, and the Chair an
point d the following named gentlemen: stone
cutters, Nicholas Acker; carpenters, T. O.
Wilson; brieklayers, Il. Hutchins; plasterers,
Jno- A. Stewart; painters. ThOs A. Brown.
nnneIs, Hiram Richey; plumbers and gas fit
tiers, Geo. W. Courtney.
The Committee was authorized TO appoint as
additional members of the Committee. leading
master mechanics, even If they We're not mem
bers ofthe Union. Adjourned.