The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-07-01
TIE LONDON BUILDERS LOCK. OUT.
The labor Question In the British Me-
trOpolis-The Masters Assuming the
ORcnsivc-The Crisis OF the Struggle
The Employers Lacking Harmony OF

Oncnsivc-Tho Crisis OF the Struggle
The Employers Lacking Harmony Of
Action.
From the London Telegraph, June 2O.]
The determined and now openly hostile contest
between operatives ana employers in the building
trade has actually passed into It's second stage.
Yesterday the masters assumed the often sive
and in considerable number Of instances pro-
ceeded to the extremity Of lockout. The
tactics which they pursued did not indicate great
degree OF concert. Some dismissed their men in
the morning soon after the dinner hour, but most
Of the large firms allowed them to finish their days
work. Some proceeded by verbal intimatiOn some
by posting up written notice and others by ex-
PLANTATION of their notices. which in few cases was
accompanied by expr ess0ns OF regret that the dis
pute had not been amicsbly arranged. As rule
the whole scope OF the resolution passed at the Free
MasOns Tavern was enforced, and mas0ns, brick
layers, plasterers had to pack mp with the car
penters. There were exceptions however,
was given to the decree of the Builders Associa-
ton. At the Brown Bear last evening there were
numerous comments made on the diversity of re.
ports brought in from the several shops and jobs
closed during the day. No two consecutive state
ments were alike either as to the manner In which
the men had been treated or the impression they
had received as TO the real feeling of their respect
i've employers.
the firm of Messrs. Coils & Son, at Camberwe. As
sembling their men at eleven O'Clock they submit
ted to them document which. IL accepted, would
have pledged them to give no support to the men
on strike at Messrs Brass and Jackson &
Shaw's. This was rendered as an alternative to q
lockout, and some discussion upon it ensued. The
pledge was firmly declined. lockout was there
upon declared without any allowance, 1t was said.
Ur General though cnpcos cu wEn Te s
trade, stands in lieu OF notice to quit. Its brevty
Is legal consequence OF the principle OF payment
by the hour, which has been construed by the mas
ters In London, with some sanction from legal de-
csions, as dispensing with the necessity for notice.
On the mems side the right which prevails among
other classes of aborers has not been very strongly
insisted upon. Even before the hour system, short
notice was a sore and often hard subject on the
initiation OF payment by the hour there was u
tacit agreement that q quarter days notice
should be given. II has since been curtailed with
out any specific resistance nom the men, to two
hours. There are shops where It has been cut
down to single hour. It's grinding" title II de-
rives from the peculiar occupation to which it Is
to enter a new service with his tools in perfect
order, and ready for immediate use. The new en-
loss OF time through first sharpening, it has natu
rally to fall on the old employer. During the last
really preparing for the next place he may
90 to. The curtaiiment from quarter day to
aye nSu as was not ,Re last INC r M
to allow only one hour, or they may apply different
times to different works. The mems legal claim is
instance has occurred of its being practically re-
jectcd. scruplc about mourning the odinln of
men from using the opportunity which has been
given them Of inviting judicial decision. A rea-
sonable amount OF notice Is stipulated for by the
draft code of working rules aud that points more
In the direction from which settlement Is HkeF
to come.
The second lockout reported to the delegation
was that OF Messrs. Myers son. When the men
returned from dinner they were told that their
wages were waiting for them bhey applied, and
were paid up to three O'Clock which included two
"grin1ing hOurs.n The chairman OF the Masters
CommittoemMr. Hammer, OF Messrs. Holland (
Hammer, BlOOmsbury--noaed his intention to
close during the afternoon. The action OF Mcssrs.
Henshaw Sons was looked for by the delegates
with peculiar an xicty. Throughout the day there
was little doubt that the shop would be closed, and
the masters decision leaked out at an early
hour. IL was notified by q written pacard,
posted about three O'Clock, that the
shop would be closed until further notice. After
wards the foreman gave verbal intimation to
each man. Messrs Manley Rogers Of Priul-
rose Ill., adopted the alternative policy. Their
notice set out condt!onally that unless the men on
strike az Messrs. Brass, Jackson and Shaw's re-
turned TO work the shop would be closed builder
in TOtto"' Court road has put plant construc-