St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-04-05

worth of building that was suspended on
account of the uncertainty regarding wages.
Part OF it had not yet reached the archi-
tect's Office and for part the plans had been
drawn. 1t was important that trades
unions settle these points Immediately
and that the contractors and builders
know what to expect and figure
on, They should be conservative and Just
i'm their demands and take immediate ac-
ton He spoke Of the regulation of wages
by trades unions and said that the principle
that all members of trade should receive
the same wages was not just. The man who
could do more or better work in
the same time, than another man should be
entitled TO higher wages. His remarks
aroused the prompt reply OF union men
present. especially of G. 4. Lafayette. The
substance OF the replies was that the
UNIFORMITY OF WAGES
in a trades union was based. not on the
amount earned by the best workman, but
on what the mlddle-clasS workman was
worth.
The poorer workman got the benefit of the
difference on his SIDE and the better workman
sacrificed little for his benefit. If first
class workman could get more by virtue or
his superior skill he could take IL. but the
union would not support him in demanding
employer was not satisfied TO pay
u poor workman the standard
wages, the matter would be referred 10 4
committee from the union. and If they
recommended a reduction II would be made
by tue union. In regard to the uncertainty
was asserted that every union in
the city representing the building trade had
settled the wuaes and hours they asked for
the season. 1t WAS not the policy or trades
unions TO publish them, but the contractors
and bosses were Informed, and with them
rested the settlement. If the contractors
would get together and appoint a
committee TO confer with the unions, the
unions would meet them half way. one OF
the principles Of trades unions was that the
establishment Of wages was always for the
season, SO that no blame could rest on the
trades unions for any uncertain feeling that
might exist No exorbitant wages were asked
by any trade.
The president, J. NJ. Minor, called Mr..
Robinson TO the chair and, stepping to the
floor, began some remarks that Tired the i'll
terest of the meeting and the feeling OF the
laboring men to a high pitch.
He said these meetings were not in the In
terest OF labor alone but TO discuss Whatever
had bearing on the welfare or humanity of
whatever class. The interests OF cap
ilal and labor were identical, but
they were disposed to pull
apart when 1T was to their interests TO pull
! together. he had noticed a disposition our
| ing the meetings to applaud every "sKy-
| rockety" sentiment on the side of labor,
| but little or none to cool
headed propositions for the harmonious
settlement or difficulties and the recognition
| of the rights of capital and employers. There
| had been no denunciation of the riotous pro-
| ceediugs during the Southwestern strike.
An emplo er had a perfect right
to employ whom he pleased, whether he
was union man or not, and he had the
| right TO judge what he was worth. He had
always felt warm interest in the labor
movement, but he was in favor of conserva-
tism and justice. The laboring men must
repudiate everything that is in conflict
cease TO applaud every sentiment
that favored forcing employers to come TO
terms. There were others in the world out
side labor organizations that had ideBs on po-
lit1cal economic aud social questions.
q. A. Lafayette replied vigorously to
| these remarks.
He said that he gave the sentiment of or
ganized labor when he said that the unlawful
| p 'oceedings of the Southwestern strikers
should be repudiated, and that they had been
| repudiated by the great mass OF
the Knights OF Labor and by their
officials in that part of the country.
| There was in the principles of the Knights of
| Labor nothing to conflict with tho just rights
| of capital and enterprise. but sometimes men
| in their greed took advantage of their posi-
| ton and wealth to do injustice to honest
| labor, and when they did So workngmen had
| to protect themselves. Strikes should only
| follow great extremtles.