Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1890-05-29
NO AGREEMENT REACHED
CONTRACTORS ANDLABOR-
ERS MET LAST NIGHT.
LOTS OF TALK BUT NO ACTION
TAKEN.
Mr.. II. A. Demens Wants DAY
Agreed Upon when the Nine-
Hour system Shall Rule.


The conference between the employers
and employees, called by the committed
from the employers union, met last night
at the Mayors Office. There were sew
enty-fve laborcrs and employers in at
tendance and no agreement was reached
Mr.. p. A. Dcmcns, chairman of the EN-
ployers' committee, called the meeting to
order. He explained the object Of the
meeting and said:
"Whcn we met last week we decided Ia
meet the workmcn fairly and squarclv on
this question. We are convinced there
are two sides to this and that both sides
should be heard. do not believe it can
be settled by one side, and we ought to
come to some amicablc adjustment be
fore arbitrary means are adopted" Mr.
Dcmcns then invited expressions from the
delegates of the different labor organiza'
tions.
Mr.. John Whitcsidcs, of the carpcn-
pcntcrs' union, was the first to respond
He said: 1--WE have been agitating the
nine-hour question here for three years,
We are not set of men organized for tn,
purpose of imjuring our employers, but
when we consider the advantage shortc'
hours would he to us and our employers
we are satisfied that we would he able to
give better satisfaction and do ourselves
and families greater justice. There was
n committee appointed by thecarpcntcrs
union to confer with the contractors but
they did not do their duty and the qucs'
tion was brought out as we expected.
Now we, as committee, do ask that the
contractors make nine hours a lawful
days work"
Mr.. George II. Burnam, of the Knights
of Labor, spoke next and said:
"What lean get from lie Knights oi La
Dor is, in few words, that they want
nine hours to constitute a days work.
We believe that to be long enough, and
whenever discussions have taken place
where the prominent men of the town
have spoken, it has been brought out
that nine hours is cnongh. We do not
want to do anything harsh"
Mr.. Dcmcns then responded: "Thc del
egate from the carpenters union says
that the committee did not do its duty
In that agree with him. am living
proof that they did not, for they did not
bring it before me at all, and other en-
ployers say the same thing. ltmakes nc
difference to the contractors whether
nine or ten hours is days work If they
are provided ior it. | am in favor o
shortening the working day but expect
to have notice SO us to prepare for it.
am not prepared for working my mel
nine hours and paying for ten, as Law,
contracts made ON basis of ten hours
work. say let us all set a day for the
nine hour day to 20 into effect and
let the pay regulate itself. II you sa,
you want il tomorrow, wccannot stan,
it. Let us agree on u date-October Il
or Novcmbcr.l."
Mr.. Curtis from the unorganizcd labo'
of the city said he thought the matter
should be settled. There is no use u
going from one year to another TIM
way" he said. 1--WE had Just as well scttl'
il now. We should set a day and stick Il
it," Mr.. Dcmcns said lie was willing Il
pay full wages for nine hours work aite
the appointed day comes. CONSIDERABLE
argument followed for an hour bctweel
the parties of both sides, and finally MIR
Dcmens asked the delegates to report Il
their respective bodies the substance
the conference. 1--WE will submit 4
ours" he said, "thc proposition to worl
nine hours after October |, and il that !
not passed by you each one will have L
work for himself ms before, aud We wi
bc no nearer settlement"