Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-06-26
THE NEW YORK strike.

On Monday, the members of the Bncklayers'
Union OF New York entered on a strike. The
men are enceavoring to enforce the statute
passed by the New York Legislature of 1867,
and, in compliance with its provisions, demand
that eight hours shall constitute a days work,
agreeing to receive four dollars and q half
therefor On the other hand, the master ma
sons of New York have determined to resist
the d. mand Of the Bricklayers' Union, and
have issued an address to the public in justlfi-
cation Of their course. From the statements of
both sides, the following facts may be site 4:
There are aSout Z, $40 bricklayers In New York,
the greater portion whom belong to the Union;
the present rate of wages Is IS per day for ten
hours; the rate demanded is four dollars and
hall per day for eight hours. In addition to
this demand, there is also a dispute about
apprentices. The Union demands that no
master mason shall have more than two ap-
prentices, and those of q specified age. The
Union also demands that no master mason shall
labor on the building on which he is employ
ing men, unless he Is himself q member Of the
Union. The master masons, In their address,
complain that whereas men used formerly TO
lay two thousand bricks per day, they now
think one thousand q days work, and that for
half the work they demand much higher pay.
Both parties ssem determined to hold out to the
last There are now, IL Is stated, about one
thousand buildings in process of erection in
New York. and the ground Is broken for
about half as many more. Under these cir
cumstanees any protracted delay In settling
the dispute will cause much loss to the
workmen besides the loss of large amounts
OF money among the builders and the CAPT.
talIsts who have loaned them money
The news OF the passage of the eight hour law
by the United States Senate was the occasion
of NM
masons and bricklayers of New York, who are
on q strike for the enforcement Of that princi-
pie there The boss masons, however. did not
see the matter in the same light and they ac
cordingly held another meeting at 81 Liberty
street, TO protect their interests in the premi-
SEES The speeches were all strong against
complying with the demands made upon them
Ihe strike, II was said, by suspending work,
was ipJuring certain classes of mechanics
the carpenters especially-quite as much as
the master masons. Resolutions were adopted
calling for a general meeting Of employers in
every branch of trade connected with the build
ing interest, to agree upon some plan for Sc.
curing ten hours labor among mechanics in
that city and neighborhood. Editors of the
public journals were also requested to lend
their influence in the same direction. Prop.
erty owners were asked to grant an extension
OF time on all unfinished buildings on which
work is suspended.
The New York papers are divided In opin-
Ion upon the merits Of the contest. The Times
takes strong grounds against the strikers, and
says:
1.-The men demand q reduction Of twenty per
cent ON thei- period of labor, while willing to
submit to only a ten per cent. reduction OF paw
and the result Is stoppage and stagnation at
season when this branch of industry ought be
most active. A bargain so anomalous cannot
be endured. II would bring disaster upon the
employers, and 1t will undoubtedly bring loss
and suffering upon the class by whom II is
urged"
The San, on the contrary, thinks the BRICK
layers have the right to fix the price ON what
they have to sell, namely their strength and
skill.