The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-03-14
THE LABOR STRUGGLE. :
THE IMPENDING STRIKES OF THE
WORKINGMEN IN NEW YORK
Eight Hours VIZ. Ten Hours-Tho Action
OF the Employers, 90. s.,z,

Eight Hours VIZ. Ten Hours-The Action
Of the Employers, 90. s.s,
Many rumors and statements have been
made during the past few weeks concerning
the labor movements in New York. The men
connected with the building trades In that
city, 1t appears, deny that they are going to
strike for higher wages, but Intimate that
they intend to make general the eIght.hour
system, about one third of their number being
now at work on the old ten-hour plan. The
organization of the Employers Association.
and the agitation by them Of the subject of; q
return TO the ten-hour system, have intensihed
the feeling of resistance among the working
men, and 1t is the frat organized opposition
to their purposes that has rendered the sltua-
ton 80 peculiarly Interesting. The men OF
every trade have organized into secret as
ISOLATION.
The Employers Association In the building
trade had meeting on Saturday, at which y
resolution was passed that they would use all
their Influence to induce the workingmen In
their employ TO return TO the ten-hour system.
The resolution met with much opposition, how
ever, and was passed only by vote OF II to
IL. This was followed by the adoption OF
resolution appointing committee Of confer
encs to meet similar committee from the
workingmen and Invite them to come to
terms. t-.s.
The New York World states that the action
OF the Employers Association created great
amount OF excitement among the working
classes, as II was well known that the assoct-
alton was composed OF all the leading labor
employers OF the City and the country, and
thai 1t would require bold stroke to hold out
against them iu the enforcement OF the OLD
time. In conversation With Mr. Dennis q.
Grliln, secretary OF the Wofklngmen's Union,
a representative of that paper ELECTED this
statement:
'Tne men are satisfied with their pay, but
will never consent TO return 10 the ten-1onr
system. The carpenters are working eight
hours, also the pasterers, stonemasone,
house-smiths. The only men who are at The
old system are the piano.makers, upholster-
ers and varnishers. and they are principally
Germans. They have, however, had several
secret meetings OF late, and committee was
appointed to see alter the carrying out Ola
system. The German cablnet.makers are
working actively, and all through the wlntec
thousands of dollars have been every m0ntn
added 10 the strike fund.
The Eight Hour League Is still In active OPP
Grafton. The fund amounts 30 $l00, 900. They
speut sec, 900 last year, while the carpenters
spent only $40, 900 and succeeded. It will be
terrible struggle If the capitalists oppose
this year. Last year contracts could not pc
fulfilled, and look at the vast quantity OF WORK
that is 10 be done by the tolling millions even
In this city. Rapid transit is to be introducea,
and the men that will be called On ID WORK as
these undertakings belong to the strongest ano
ND In all psrta, and 1t is my opinion that the
fling of the ball by the employers will end
differently from what they expect. te'.;
| Mr.. John r. Vornls, boss builder and sec.
retarY OF the Employers Association, said 10
the reporter: "Thsre is no doubt at all that
for many people will not build, as was the
case last year, when they kept delaying,
thinking thai tha men wnnld retnsn z. .df.a INA
long hours. moved that conference com.
miltee be appointed 10 meet the woIkingmen
and invite them to come to terms. Let them
work ten hours and HI their price. At pre-
sent 1t is iorty.six cents an hour. The COM
mittee cannot meet the men ct least before
Thursday, and don't see how employers can
| induce their men to return to the old system.
The conference committee will report at
special meeting 10 be called: The employers
/ do not wish to be understood to be hostile 10
the workingmen, and they hope that some
amcsble and satisfactory arrangement VIII he
arrived at, so that there may not be repetf-
| lion Of last years scenes" -"
dispatch from New York states thatia
small number Of Garman shoemakers met
| Sunday 10 Increase their organization t. en-
able them 10 strike for higher wages. The
speakers were sangulDe that the opening OF
| the busy season would give great impetus TO
their movement, but nothing definite was &C.
c0mpshed. "@Fs:,z-'-
| Tho Latest.
NEW YORK, March H.,
The master carpenters and builders of New
| York and Brooklyn have resolved TO refuse
the exorbltant demands OF the trades socle-
ties in the spring. Many large capitalists VINO
had protected large investments In building,
have already disposed Of their iunas other-
wise.