The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-25

The following despatch to the HERALD has
been received from our correspondent in the
capital of Great Britain:-
LONDON, June a. 1872.
The great strike which has occurred in the
London building trade is the result Of twenty
years agitation of the subject of the relative
rights and demands to wages, hours Of work
and the binding effect of artisan society rules
of the masters and workingmen.
HISTORY OF THE MOVEMENT.
The movement was commenced in the year
1853. In 1858, in accordance with demand
Of the men, the question Of o reduction in the
time of days work from ten hours was con-
sidered. A memorial, numerously signed,
was presented to the employers, but, after q
short struggle, the masters obtained victory.
Mr.. George Potter then appeared on the
scene and proffered his services as leader, or,
as may be said, the leader, Of the working
classes. He commenced agitating actively,
according to pre-arranged rule, and within the
limit and line of the law. He was successful
in the country towns, and, as q result of the
general effort, founded the Trade Union organ
ization pretty much on its present existing
basis
THE STRIKE OF 1871.
- H. L.. r AZ
recollect the engineers all over the country
sturck and held general conference, or indus
trial convention, in Newcastle. Sir William
Armstrong; firm was made the special
object of attack. The masters fought
stubbornly, but the men conquered in
the end, and the nine hours day
movement was conceded by the employers to
the engineers everywhere in the kingdom.
Encouraged, or emboldened, by the tri-
umph of the engineers, the carpenters and
joiners determined to follow their. example,
strategic combination. They just lately for
warded an ultimatum, as to rules and wages, to
the London masters, and applied the screw Of
cessation Of productive power by the act of
withdrawal from the yards and outside jobs of
two large firms
The masters, in reply, threatened general
lockout if the men did not return to work.
The men refused.
EMPLOYERS PROPOSAL FOR ARBITRATION
After the endurance of vast amount of in
convenience and very heavy tsh losses, the
masters proposed an arbitration of the sub
jects at issue between themselves and the
tradesmen, and nominated the Right Honora-
BILE the Earl Of Derby with the Marquis of
Salisbury to represent capital in the Court.
The men refused to accept the plan of tho
masters.
GENERAL LOCKOUT ENFORCED IN RErALA-
A general lockout was commenced last week
in consequence.
Twenty thousand men, oil, or the great ma
jority Of them, carpenters and joiners, have
been thrown out of employment. The masons
and bricklayers have been elected also.
HERALD SPECIAL INVESTIGATION OF THE CASE.
The HERALD reporter has just had special
interview with a master, Mr.. Plunkett, men,
Der of the firm Of Messrs. Cubitt, with refer
ence to the more immediate difficulty of the
lockout and the matter of the trades union
movement generally The old gentleman has
seen three strikes in the course of his profess
sional career. He employs three thousand
men, masons, bricklayers and carpenters.
WHAT HE KNOWS BY EXPERIENCE
In reply to my inquiries he said he would
not deny that trade strikes tended to raise
the existing rate of wages but he knew that