The Portland daily press., 1890-05-02
STONE CUTTERS OUT.
haven and RockIand.
Especial to the Press.1


VINALHAvEN, May 1.-All the granite
cutters employed by the Bodwell Granite
Company here quit work last night, on ac-
count of the company refusing to grant their
request of nine hours per day at S2.75 for
day work, and an advance of about five per
cent. ON the bill of prices for piece work.
The company say the men can work nine or
ten hours, as they choose, but will give no
advance on last years wages. which for day
work were from 27i cts. to 30 cts. per hour.
At Spruce Head the granite men went to
work this morning, at $2.70 for nine hours,
instead Of S2.75 for ten hours.
HALLowELT, May 1.-The yards and sheds
of the Hallowell Granite Works had holi-
day appearance today, the men all being out,
pending the adjustment OF scale of wages
for the ensuing year.
This morning 200 stone cutters dropped
their tools and left the sheds. Over a month
ago the committee of the cutters waited on
the superintendent of the company and asked
Tor nine hour day at $2.75 per day, which
they are receiving now for ten hours, and an
advance OF from five to ten per cent. on piece
work. The company in return offered pro-
position that the cutters work nine hours a
day. but submit to wages of 50 65 per day, a
reduction OF ten cents; but giving an in
crease on piece work, the pay for monument
al work remaining the same as two years
ago.
Wednesday evening there was big meet
ing OF the local branch of the Stone Cutters
Union, to which all the men belong, and it
was voted unanimously not to accept the
company's proposal, but to leave their sheds
this morning, as they did. A representative
OF the company says no further concession
will be given, and as the stone cutters are
is anticipated.
The cutters this morning held another
meeting and were awaiting orders from the
chief of the National Union. The men, both
at the .quarries and in the city sheds, went
out, The workmen at Archie's sheds in Au-
gusta, however, who belong to the Union,
continued work, it being understood that he
gives them about what they ask for.
AUGUSTA, May lover 200 stone cutters
struck today at the Hallowell Granite works,
Hallowell. The men ask nine hours work
$3.50 to $3.65 day. The company refuse,
saying they cannot fill contracts with such
wages. They have refused contracts, expect
ing strike, and work is nearly cleaned up.
A complete shutdown would be great blow
to the city as the pay roll averages over
$4,000 a month.
MONTPELIER, VT, May ALI the Jour
neymen stone cutters here and at Barre
struck this morning. Only apprentices are
now working. A disagreement between the
manufacturers and tool sharpeners on prices
caused the strike. Ir
WESTERLY, II. L., May 1.-The granite
cutters here have struck.
NEW LONDON, Conn.,, May Three
months ago the granite manufacturers of
Milestone Point, Mantle, Groton and New
London were notified by their en- en-
ployes that on and after Nav ist
they would demand that nine hours con-
stitute days work, with no reduction in
wages. The manufacturers refused to COM
ply, and the granite cutters have stopped
work. Two hundred and fifty men are. in
consequence, idle today. Two-thirds Of the
number WEI employed at Milestone.