Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-06
ruE .BRrCK.TorERs'. STRIKE.
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A Com piscaties which itas Exsssdsd
20 the Bsiekiaysrs.

10 - R1s<sA0O
About two months ago the Brick
LAYERS Union of this city held . meet
ing and determined that on and after
April lst they would not work for less
than "a per day, and they gave the
/" bosses " due notice. when the time
arrived their demands were accsded to
BY their employers without . word.
Its practical working is that the best
bricklayers get a per day and the In
ferior ones work for . smaller price,
ranging from $3.50 to "a, to be Fixed
by the Union aud contractors. Before
this step was taken the best masons re-
ceiyed 1925 per day and few got IS
much as "a.
Some time ago the laborers, or "hod-
carriers as they enormously call them
selves, formed union and determined
to demand also per day instead OF
sl.25, which they had been getting.
They presented their claims last Mon
day, March Goth, the increased price
asked to take effect from Thursday the
lst day Of April.
The Brickmakers' Association then
met and decided not to give the advance
asked for, as few other laborers in the
CITY received that much. Upon being
notified that the increase would not be
made the laborers struck. A large
number of these--about twenty or
more-were employed by Mr.. Rollins,
Of Manchester, who has the contract for
the brick-work on the Union depot.
This gentleman states that when the
men struck his foreman, Mr.. Tom Saw
age, came to him and said Don't
make the increase. can get plenty OF
men at what you have been pay
ing" Mr.. Rollins replied Well,
bring in twenty Of them to-mor-
row evening"" Mr.. Rollins says
that when be returned to the depot the
next morning about 9 o'clock he did
not find the twenty laborers. Mr..
Savage remarked that he had engaged
four men who had been there that
morning, but that the strikers had
kept them from going to work.
Mr. Rollins further states that the
next morning, at the meeting OF the
Brickmakers' Association, several gen
tlemen stated that their lsborers had
struck, and that they the strikers)
said that Mr.. Savage had advised them
not to work longer for what they were
then receiving. The brickmskers were
very indignant with Mr.. Savage. After
hearing the statements Of four or five
persons, and it appearing from them
that Mr.. Savage had melted the strike
of the brick-to it was the unani
nous opinion that Mr.. Rollins ought
to discharge Mr. Savage. Ii was re-
solved that if Ar. Rollins did so che
Association would stick to hln
through thick and thin. On Saturday
evening last Mr.. Rollins informed Mr
Savage that his services were no Longer
desired.
At meeting Of the Bricklayers
Union held Saturday night the action OF
Mr.. Rollins in discharging Mr.. Savag'
was discussed. and a committee was ap
pointed to confer with Mr. Rollins anc
obtain his reasons for discharging Mr.
Savage.
Mr.. Rollins appeared before thi
committee yesterday morning AM
made his statement. Mr.. Saysg
asked that no action be taken in tn
matter until ne could have time to in
troduce witnesses to show that he dl'
not advise the men to strike. The com
mittee accordingly adjourned over III
til 10 O'Clock this morning.
If be can successfully rebut and con
tradict the men who made statement
against him to the brickmakers, MI
Rollins and the latter will no doubt re
cede from their position. II not. the
the question will arise, will all tn
bricklayers Of the city strike until Mr
Savage is reinstated!" ,"
Mr. Rollins is hopeful that the matte
will be settled without any difficulty.
The weather yesterday was so rain,
that the brick-lsyers could not wor
had they so wished. They seem in
clined 70 stand by Mr.. Savage if he b
in the right, and that he is in tn
wrong they are not prepared to be
lieye until fully hearing both sides.