New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-05-04
THE WoRKIYGMENs CRISIS.

ATTITUDE or MASTER BUILDERS AND JoURNEYMEN.
The resolution adopted by the Master
Mechanics at the meeting held in the Mechanics and
Traders Exchange on April to return TO 10 hours
as days Labor announced TO into effect to-day,
and "a no subsequent meeting had been called to rescnd
the resolution the ourneymen Saturday evening heid
meeting, in their various trade organizations for the
purpose of taking some decided action in the matter.
Tho bricklayers held large mass meeting
In the ballroom Of tho Germana Assembly
Rooms. Alhough!he meeting was a secret one, t was
ascertaued that the although not wishing to as
sumo the offensive determined to resist any return
to the 1O-hour rule for days work. Tho Plumbers
Association held a mass meeting in the same building
and received the reports from the various shops. As
only one employer had insisted upon enforcing the
1Ohour rule and he only employed one man, the Asso
citation resolved not mako any demonstration and
the members TO remain steadily at their work. The
various branches Of Laborers' Union resolved not
to carry stuff for any or brlckayer
who agreed 10 work than eight hours
as a DAYS work, and reported that the masOns
aud brckayers had determined not toireceive stun
from any laborer who was not Union man. 1t was
stated the meetings that the bosses had threatened to
mt gangs OF Italians to work aborers, and should
this plan adopted the laborers hoped the brekayer
would not work with them. The pasterers also passed
resolutions to the effect that IL their employers should
attempt to the tenhOur rule they would resist
the movement. The American Carpenters and Joners
the Amag Imatcd Carpenters nave DOtn passed
outons pledglng themselves 10 resis1 Tue Intended
infringent the eghthour system and to continue 10
fight for the principle until hnaly established al over
the United states" Several master carpenters had
informed their men on Saturday that tho tenhour RUE
would DO enforced to-day and list OF such employers
was made for the use of the men.
The meeting OF the Trades Convention was An unusu-
ally large Saturday evening, many of the trades
which had heretofore neglected to send delegates hay
ing their representatives present. NJ. X Walsh OF tho
Painters presided. Resolutions condemnug the action
Master Builders IN trying to set aside the eight
hour law were passed the ground that the reduction
fta,o diZupn
~ the wOrkingnan; that while the conceded TO
the EMPLOYERS the right labor without restrlc
ton, they claimed an equal right TO dispose OF ther Toll
they deemed BEST either to increase wages or to re-
duce the hours commensurate with the OYefcIoWded
condition of the labor market; and that as with eight
hours labor much is produced as the wants or the
community demaDd the attempt or the employers 10 re-
turn to 10 hours as days work was merely LOT the
| purpose OF producing more than was required and
thereby causing them TO be idle portion OF their time
From the reports OF the delegations present. lew OF tue
employers had insisted upon enforcing the tenhOur rule
to-day. and but little fear was manifested as to the
necessity OF u general strike The delegates pledged
tier various associations support those bodies that
| might compelled TO call strike; aud the members
of he different branches of the building trade
oucsted TO make II pleasant for those OF other
branch who might acquiesce In the ruling or the tyran
\ meal bosses by working ten hours. Beyond Few
isolated instances of petty trouble, IL s however, be-
| neved among the tourneymen that no direct conflict
will take place to-day between the employers ana the
employed, as they are Of opinion that ne master Du
far from united on the subject OF ten hV0s aud
| will not endeavor to enforce u.
The WorkiDg mens Central Council met yesterday al
4 Munzinger Hail. The Committee appointed by the Con
| ventiOn Of WorknNnen In regard to the "rOmpkns
square outrage" communicated the desire of the Con
vonOn that two German speakers should be appointed
TO take part In the mass meeting TO be held the 18th
inst. The request was granted. and committee ap
pointed to confer with the Convention In this respect
Sunday next appointed for the nomination OF the
speakers for the meeting Tue dele from the
various labor organizations were instructed TO inform
their respective unions that they expected
tribute voluntarily TO defray the expenses OF
ing The CGnDel then adjourned I'll Wednesday, at the