The Evening critic., 1881-08-24
WANT BETTER PAY.
JOurneymen House Painters Ask for
Living Wages.

A regular meeting of Painters Union
No. 1, journeymen house painters, was held
Mt Cosmopolitan Hall, corner of Eighth and
L streets, last night Mt 8 o'clock. After
some routine work had been transacted the
meeting adjourned, and mass-meeting was
held at the same place. The object of this
meeting was to enlist the cooperation of
all the journeymcn painters in the city, so
that q general advance of wages might be
demanded, and, in case this is refused, to
strike. The men complain that they are
receiving less wages in this city than at any
other point, the average wages throughout
the country being, as they claim, from $3.50
to SO per diem, while the wages paid here are
only 50 to $3.50 day. Five or six Of the
largest shops, employing about forty men,
are now paying $3.50; the balance, employ
ing some $50 men, only paying 50. The
bosses now paying the advanced rate
threaten to reduce wages to $2, and will, 1t
is feared, do SO unless the entire fraternity
ioin in their demands for uniform rate of
$3.50.
The men claim very confidently that the
bosses cannot hold out in case of q general
strike, and must yield to their demands, as
work generally is plentiful and must be
done this fall before winter sets in, and
that skilled labor is scarce. If this is the
U
convience to men having contracts based
on the two-dollar-a-day estimate. The
Government is paying the amount claimed,
and the men fail to see why private firms
cannot do equally as well, especially as they
have longer hours. About n dozen men
are already on strike, and they are hoping
their example will be followed by the rest
of the guild The Hon. Judge MADDOX, of
New York, was introduced by Mr.. Butts, a
painter, and addressed the meeting. He
stated that he was carpenter by trade and
belonged to carpenters union. He con-
tinued at some length, explaining the re-
latons between employer and employee,
and placing especial stress upon the dignity
of labor and the value of the wOrkingman
in the community. In conclusion he urged
his hearers to form solid and compact
union, to organize and act in unison and
harmony.
Mr.. Stcinberg, boss, said If all bosses
would pay 81 he would willingly do So
Painting was most unhealthy business,
and the painter deserved all he could get
]. Denham said he had heard it remarked
before entering the meeting tonight that
it was composed of lot of bummers. II
advancing the interests of a class was the
characteristic of q hummer, he wished to
be placed ut the head of the list.
Mr.. Stcinberg said he paid one Of his men
s.. so and another 80. The reason he paid
one higher wages was that he was member
of this union. He held that every man
should join the union.
II. Jones remarked that he thought the
strike, as it stood at present, was a failure
He was out of work at present, and, as
matters stood, he saw very little chance Of
bringing the masters to time, unless the
union took some decisive steps.
After some dcsultory talk, vote OF
thanks was rendered to Judge MADDOX, and
tho meeting adjourned.
what boss Painter Says.
Mr.. VIM. E. Spaulding, ono of the leading
boss painters of the city, was met by I
CRITIC reporter this morning, who asked
"What about the contemplated strike Of thu
/ ioufneymen painters"
"Ohp said Mr. s., "there must be strike
The men who attended that meeting i,is,
night are mostly government employees
who are always trying to stir up strif
among the outside workmen."
"Well," asked THE CRITIC man, is ther
any dissatisfaction among your men on nc
count of wages?"
None in the least" said Mr.. spaulding