Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-05-12
1852

am thus asked to pay what would amount
to 500 per day for a days work OF ten hours,
ton OF increase applies to the wages to be paid
all the other workmen mploy ed on my houses
Let me now, in all kindness, ask the work
ingmen OF Washington whether the condition
OF the labor market, the depression i'm all
branches of business, with the consequent re-
ductiOn OF incomes justifies this arbitrary in
crease OF wages, already up to Il fair standard?
Let me assure them, us the result of careful in
quiry, that the effect Of this demand has been
TO arrest many projected buildings and that ii
the master builders make the concession asked
for, many OF these buildings will not 90 up.
This has been treated as a question between
the master builders and their WOrkmen. 1t is
really u question between the workman and
the man for whom the house is to be built
since the latter pays the cost, Now, know
that the increase in the cost OF building in the
last few years. even since last year, has deferred
many from building. But if this additional
cost is to be incurred it is not to be expected
that the class of persons who are now seeking
homes in Washington will build houses. With
rare exceptions this class is composed of people
with moderate and often fixed incomes say
"tiXed incomes" but in these days of reduced
dividends, and four per cent interest, these in
comes are being fixed downwards. If this con-
cesSiOn be made, 1T will deter this class from
building, Tor two reasOns-frst, the increase of
cost, and, second, the sense OF injustice in being
compelled to stand an increase by an arbitrary
compulsion, which extends TO no incomes ex-
cept those OF the strikers. Remember, they are
not compelled to build, and it is better to en-
Of be
goose that has been laying SO many golden eggs
in Washington.
Let me suggest another consideration. The
increase OF population and of building, by
which Washington Is becoming SO prosperous
and attractive, is largely due, not to the Ordi-
to other cities and keep them there but TO the
class who, having fixed incomes and leisure
are drawn here by its social, political, climatic
and other attractions. They are not compelled
by business emplOyments to stay here, as most
people stay in other cities. A caprice brought
Many are here to live cheaper than in other
Cities Make building dearer, and you make
living in all respects more expensive, for, with
rents, everything will go up. But If you make
living dearer you will not only check the ten
dency which Is filling Washington with well-tO-
do settlers, but you will drive away many of
| those already here. This is no mere conceit. 1
have not only heard gentlemen who have in
tended to build say that If this wrong of de-
manding ten hours pay for eight hours work
pose, but have heard them discuss the proba-
bility OF seeking homes in q community where
the laws OF political economy are not to be regu.
lated by the DEGREES OF town meetings.
Let me advise the workingmen not to fly in
| the face of men like Mr.. Powderly, who think
may persist for weeks perhaps months, until
| stern necessity c0mpels them to yield. Or they
may succeed In cOercing the master builder:
| INTO temporary surrender, but it will be Il
ma diminished employment and ultimate los.
70 themselves and their families. For in tn,
ill-timed conflict the laboring man, being tn,
weaker, Is sure to be the victim.
1 wAsH1sGron. May 2. -''
Patrick Noderick, James Ahern and William
l Nvf,i lo hnot fr1<, o.