The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-21
THE EMPLOYERS ACQUIEsCENT.
The Master Masons Agree by a Majority
Of One and the Master Carpenters
Submit Under Protest.
WILL THE MOVEMENT EXTEND ?
"A Grand Street Demonstration To Be Made by
the Various Trades Unions on Friday.

The success Of the trades unions Is assured In
their efforts to obtain reduction OF the hours OF
labor. One after another they have revolted, and
one after another they have triumphed. The brick
layers, from the strength OF their secret organiza
ton, attained the result strived for most speedily.
They have four lodges, controlled by council, and
they struck for "a and eight hours work, and were
crowned with victory ut the end OF twelve hours.
1t is impossible to predict with any degree o,
certainty the time when the present strike may be
expected to safely end. That IL has assumed the
most formidable proportions, covering nearly every
branch OF woodworking and many other trades,
and that the men engaged are full OF enthusiasm,
10 evident to the most disnterested looker-on.
Previous to the movement which is now entering
upon It's third week since the painters threw down
their ttt1nGtttYo, there working in this city
under the eight hour rule some three thousand men
belonging to the stonecutters and plasterers'
nnions. The number Of men engaged in the present
movement has been variously estimated, but the
pest attanable data gives total Of about 12 900.
OF these the largest body belong to the Joint Union
OF the American Carpenters and the Amalgamated
Society. The men belonging to this Union were all
at work yesterday, with the exception Of about
$780, who voluntarily remained at Masonic
Hall to keep alive the purpose Of the revolt by
afOrding q nucleus for continued effort and mate
rial for active committees. More than 200 em.
Gsstns ' closed on T Saturday. % iaina ngnt an and
found employment. ' But '' few employers employers
held out, and suspicion is entertained by the
workmen that none OF them mean to act quite
fairly. This feeling was strengthened last night by
the news that two firms which had made satisfac-
tory arrangements with the stairbuilders had can
Celled their agreement and occupied their old posi-
ton. 1t was said, too, that some Of the boss car.
pcnters, at their meeting In the Cooper Institute
Saturday, has threatened fearful retalatory meas.
pres against the workmen when the rigors OF next
winter and the dull times anticipated would place
them in their power.
NO MEN TO WORK OVER HOURS.
1t s for the above reason that the leaders OF the
movement strongly insist that no member Of the
Union shall be prevailed upon to work more than
eight hours per day at any price after the system is
adopted. This, cutting of one-ffth Of the day will
necessarily leave oneffth more work to be done
that they claim there win be in future no dull sea-
son OF the year.
Another feature Of the case is worth glancing at
and Is occupying the wits of all the thinking car.
penters. Ihcre are, perhaps, more workmen
among the German cabinetmakers than among all
the other woodworking trades. 1t is supposed that
the lynx-eyed bosses know all about this, and have
before now decided upon method OF escaping from
their present difflculty. These workers In hard
wood would make more than average carpenters
and as they receive at present low rates OF wages
they might be readily substituted for the d!scon-
makers on Saturday, however. and their subecquent
energetic support OF the carpenters, has relieved
the latter greatly from their embarrassment, and
thig danger ID now considered as trining.
AN APPEAL TO EMPLOYERS.
committee OF the cabinetmakers published yes
terday & card appealing to the employers not TO
for the adoption Of eight hours as normal working
day and that twenty per cent should be added to
wages for piece work. and adds that spirit Of JUS
ce and humanity has already led to the concession
Of these terms by some Of the largest manufactu
ferS in the city. 'F>,-. 4