New-York tribune., 1874-06-22
FAI1J-RE OF THE BRICKLAYERs.
MOST OF THE STRIKERS UNABLE TO GO TO Work AT
TuF OLD RATEs-A TRADEs-UNIOS VIEW.

MOST OF THE STRIKERS UNABLE TO GO TO WORK AT
THE OLD RATEs-A TRADEs-UNIoN VIEW,
Most of the brckayers who struck on the
new lBIBUSE building last week, came back at noon on
SATURDAY and asked TO be employed. few OF them
were taken but the majority told by Mr. OBrieu
that he had no work them 10 DO Mr. Fter has also
refused TO take back OF his former employees the
Delaware and Hudson Canal COmpany's building where
he has been able get all the men he wants Through
out the city the same TIE strikers not only
DO not succeed forcing increase Of wages, but they
nd when they attempt TO get employment again at the
old wages that their places have been eagerly taken by
men generally their equals in every respect st' they
,rs,st that the strike j. not failure. They will hold
mass meeting tonight al Masonic Hall to devise meas
ures for enforcing their demands.
I,hn G Graham, Grand Master OF the United order
of American Bricklayers has given TO TRIBUNE re-
porter the following facts regarding the Dnckayers
organizations the and purposes OF their pres
emf strike The United order OF American Bricklay
ersp was established nearly three ago in place OF
an older but lees efficient organization, known
IA the Bricklayers' Union. 1t mas at pres.
,ben two German and two English, being IN
New York City The Grand Lodge Of the Order consists
Of delegates appointed by each OF the inferior lodges
and meets once each year at such place as may be
agreed upon The object OF TINS organization Is mutual
protection and assistance Tor an OF l members Last
Fail when consequence OF the financial distress,
wages dropped very 4oW anu tnolsaIs ~ W Mul A4ht
men we're turned out OF einpoylheh az Dit seven OF
eight of the builders Of New-HOrk. MI Graham said,
enough 20 let the wages OF DflCkldycFs
remain AZ A. day which had been the rate for several
wears past The few builders who decreased the wages
TO g. did under settled asreeehl 70 Iesune he
payment Of - this spring, ana Win tnat uhaer'Iah1-
inr the Society permitted their men 10 work
for reduced wages W1en spiiHg cant, the agree.
ment. Notwithstanding the repeated renohstrAhees OF
the men was carried into effect by the buses.
AItef tSe General Council Of tie District OF Man
haitian, d last resort ordered those men Sho were
receiving less thah D. uaJ W s''A'' anu "'"N' '"o
nre sent trouble. -,
When TINS strike began there were IS bosses IN the
he ~. %
eint Who pad only s. So II through the deter
mination OF the latter not TO perform ther agreement
-. ncrease wages old rate tnat all the trouble
arose MIR Graham stated that he knew positively
that the best oricklayers make more tldn
~ 40 a day the year around, whie ordinary workmen
average than 81 day at the present rate OF WAGES.
e brickayers consider that the employers have taken
mean advantage Of them by lowering wages In time
~ scarcty aud thus throwing the burden OF hard times
unon those who are least able bear IT, They seek TO
pr into an arrangement with the bosses by which at
tins beginning of each season. the rate OF wages may be
agreed upon between them that both sides VIII know
hat 10 depend upon far they have been unable 10
make any such arrangement with New-fOrk bosses, al
though the system mas been tired In several
western cities ana found 10 work 10 the saiis-
faction OF all. THIS system would be an entire
prevention OF all strikes IL mas been recently estaD-
shed in Jersey CITY, where II promises good results
The argument that wages must De reduced because
building is scarce sald MI 1Iahan Is iaiiaelous De
cause IL is based the assumption that Building mate
rias are as they three or four years
they are ~ per cent cheaper Ihen Drck cost
from SIS u s7 thOusand now II costs only " or ts
Thousand. Besides this the very Jobs upon which some
builders are willing pay their wOrkmeD only s. 50
/ day we're undertaken. ana their cost was cacu
I
time when materials were more dear than al present.
Al the the laDorer pays as much rent ar lie
| ana when wages higher, ana the only thing in
which reduction OF cost is perceptbie TO him Is that
of which lie makes the least use VIZ, clothing MI
Graham thinks the fault OF capitalists that
wages are low is the fault or few bosses, VINO
are determined 70 grow rich at the expense OF their
arkmen He ready 20 do everything IN MS power 20
nrevent STRIKES which he thinks are very poor methods
~ bnn the laburer out Of his trou Dles but when the
eo,-4s will 1--we 10 their agreements and Will con
.snt Ia no equitable arrangelheut OF wages at stated
! 1eriods no other remains but 70 strike.
fn,rl hand AZ
,aose tnat majority of the employers paying "
a. j. trausparently dishonest tTlck. They that
sesrcelv any OF heavy employers are paving, or
sea- ~ nav over s. 80: tnat lew, having little Jobs
nioying from three 10 SIX or eight masous eac spec
itnr nutting up small dwelling houses on contract.
N ,he IKE are agreeing ~ pay - FOR Tie sake OF rlsh
1n their work along, and because they employ 50 Few
IN fhat the price makes very Atue dIneIenee lhey
Sny that they made any promise last winter tAat
uaes should be advanced 70 y MS season lhey say
& - h,ickmasous are much troubled because they
/ csnt work all the year through, Dy reason eltneI
| ~ eold or rainy weather. tney Ouehl
VI VI ,y,,Itng 10 work at least when
! u ,1s wa.tbsr permits but that instead OF tnis