The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-12
THE EIGHT HOUR MOVEMENT.

x0G xI4Oxx4 x4VO0 0AV I44GI&Nx
Strike OF the Carpenters to Lessen the
Hours OF Labor and Success OF the
Painters and Bricklayers.
The impetus given to the movement in favor OF
eight hours the maximum of a workingman's
days labor by the successful issue Of the painters
strike has stimulated other trades to increased and
energetic efforts in the same direction, among them
one OF the strongest bodies Of artisans in the city
the carpenters and joiners.
The question OF labor and capital has begun to
assume very formidable proportions, and from
every indication OF the present time it is destined
to be one OF the most difficult questions that the
statesmen of the future will have to contend with.
Strikes Of late years have been so frequent and so
successful that in busy times the members OF any
trade can leave Off work with almost certainty
that their demands will he complied with. Since
the rise OF the international Society,
and its extraordinary development. kind OF
universal union and system of cooperation has
been established between the workmen of different
countries, by which they bound to stand by and
help each other in the hour of need. The strikers
endeavored to obtain two obects-in the first
place to increase the rate of wages, and in the
second to decrease the hours of labor. Some years
ago land in many parts OF Europe YETI the hours of
labor were twelve which was only another name for
w,
ingmen had the time reduced to ten hours per day.
A further decrease OF this time Is now being
sought, and number OF the trades have been very
successful in their struggles with the bosses. Two
or three weeks ago the painters went on strike
with this object, and after short resistance the
employers were forced to accede to the demands Of
the men, The stOnecutterS had, previously to this
been working eight hours day with the reluctant
but inevitable consent oftheir employers had the
plasterers; the bricklayers by peaceabe consnlta-
ton ana action have been promised that two hours
will be taken of their days labor on Tuesday: and
nnvrf Tho urnn pfnrd ha nf
them all, have notified the leading builders that on
and after tomorrow morning their hours of labor
must be reduced, without any reduction OF pay, or
they will not resume work.
On Friday, to the number of 9Oo they held meet
ing in Masonic Hall to consider the ACCESSIBILITY of
striking. The meeting was held with closed doors,
none but members Of the society being admitted,
but it was understood that the consuta-
ton was stormy one. The debate was
heightened, and every argument that could
effect carefully presented and studied,
and after intense excitement 1t was finally resolved
to adopt the which was put in operation last
evening" 1t was resolved that no compromise with
the ''bosses' would he entertained, and no reduc-
ton in the rate OF wages be allowed as seton to
the eight hours ultmatum.
The society numbers 1880 members in good stand
ing who are unst In the movement, and it is ex-
pected that they will be sustained and assisted by
large numbers OF nOn-unon men who have not had
an opportunity to become enrolled. Among the
leading employers who have been notified are Gar
dren & Co., East Twenty -third street; +. G. Bogar
4 Bro, Bank street; Henessy 4 Gilsey, East Nine
teenth street; Van Nostrand, West Twsnty-ffth
street, c. +. True, West Eighteenth street and John
Riceman Thompson street. or these, Henessy
Co. have notified the employed by them that
they can resume work on Monday morning and
| their demands will be complied with, and with
Riceman Co. 1t is not expected there will be any
difficulty. The summer season Is the busiest time
OF the year. and the strikers have timed it accord
ingly, and so great is the emergency for workmen,
they do not expect to have any difficulty in achiev-
ing their object
The reasons the carpenters give in justification
OF their conduct, in conversation with HERALD
reporter yesterday, as fOllOwS:-They say that
the length Of the present days work precludeS all
thought OF intellectual Improvement, man, after
tion nor ability to sit down at night and read.
g sq r. fssF Ss y s,1ke the Ps
entered upon from any selfish motive, but has
higher object. In addition their trade compes
other mechanics they have no stationary work
shop; to-day they may be working at the Battery,
e next 81 a. Is r 20
to work at the prescribed time in the
early hour in the morning without having the rest
they require. II their demands be complied with 1t
viii lengthen the period Of every job they are en-
a vast amount OF labor into single season, and
thus making it In the end better for both employers
and men.
They expect to be joined in their strike by the
Amagamated Society OF Carpenters ard Joners,
whose are ire n England ana VINO
which has thousands OF pounds at its dis
posa for the support OF strikers Other trades also
will cooperate, and the movement will doubtless
become SO formidable that it cannot be
resisted. The carpenters are a fine, in
they state their views calmly and temperately with
air of sincerity In the justice OF their demands
that cannot fail to inspire respect for them In those
who listen. The plumbers 1t is said, will also work
to secure the eight hours in few days and they
also expect to be as fortunate as the painters nave
e e nns 20 in
York, Brooklyn, Philadelphia and all the large
cities Of the Continent, having for their object the
drawing together OF the members OF every branch
OF industry into grand organization, which will
be able to cope with the power of the capitalists
skilled laborcrs, shown by the strike OF the
stonecutters for an increase of wages few weeks
ago, and although these had no union or organiza-
England for the first time the agricultural lab0rers
have gone on strike at season when
sers M psres IN warwc
shire-and so strange is this action considered
in England, that 1t has been made the subject of
parliamentary discussion. and the leading papers
In London have sent special correspondents to
investigate the origin, extent and nature of the
difficulty The carpenters disclaim all connection
with the International and state that they wish It
to be distinctly understood that this movement is
entirely Independent oft.
for the eight hours and so strong have these unions
become that In short time there Will be no resist
ing them. The capitalists have become alarmed,
both here and in Europe, and council OF arbtra-
ton has been suggested as the best course to adopt
to place the vexed question upon satisfactory
basis. This Is recommended by such men as John
Stuart Mill, Mr.. Mundella and Professor Fawcett In
England and Wendell Phillips and other leading
thinkers in this country. The workingmen also IA
vor the scheme, and it il likely to receive attentive
consideration. Whatever may be done, 1t IL GER
tain that the relations between capital and labor
stand upon very Insecure basis and their treat
ment is one OF the most interesting problems OF
the day.
HIGHWAYMEN ARRESTED.
On Friday night as Daniel Kerison, boy resfd-
ing at 301 West Forty-hfth street, was passing
Al Eorf I'd ctr Elavpnfh