Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-02
POINTS FROM PLASTERERS.
IDEAS CLEANED FROM THOSE WHO
COVER UP WALLS.

What Organization Has Done for Them
Wages Advanced in n Few Years 81 n
Day-A Gap Filled Up Mt Last, by Hard
Work.
P. II. Wilkinson, a member of Journey
men Plasterers' Union No. 81, came here
from Philadelphia a few years ago. When
he left Philadelphia plasterers were paid
So 50 a dav there, and he found them get
ting only 50 so here. Now, I'll tell you
what organization did for u.s." said he.
1--WE have raised our wages from 81 80 to
81 90 a dav. We have succeeded in CON-
peiling the masters TO recognize our organi-
zation We have closed up the gap be-
tween workmen and employees, in a measure,
and have done much to elevate our people to
q higher plane. To-day's ceremonies fit
tinglv celebrate our last victory, just won,
in which all the bosses were forced into con-
ceding our demands"
John Roe, another plasterer, is of the
opinion that all difficulties between en-
plover and employe should be settled by
arbitration. ''It is big question, and L
don't know where to begin to talk about it, -
he continued "but l would like to see some
plan adopted in all trades organizations
through which the bosses and the workmen
could be made to understand more thoroughly
each others interests. As it is, they are too
far apart-neither willing to listen scarcely
10 argument-but, actuated usually by
selfish motives, they stand out against all
comnromise."
William Atkinson, another plasterer, is
also of the opinion that something should be
done to bring about a more friendly feeling
between the bosses and the men. "But
then" he said, "we cannot find fault with
the employers for not being friendly with
US, when there is so much jealousy and
hard feelings in our own ranks. IF one
thinks another is getting the best of him in
anv Of the two organizations bad feeling
Immediately arises, and there is trouble.
Then, one trade will quarrel with another,
and there is almost a continual wrangIe
somewhere in the labor organizations. If
our labor unions are TO become a power, it
must be through q union OF strength, as if
prompted by single impulse We do not
need any more legislation. Let us first
make q proper use OF what we have and we
will be better prepared for what we may
need"
"The labor organizations should stay out
OF politics. / see some one has started a
rumOr that the Building Trades Council
would oppose Dalzell ior Congress. There
is nothing IN ii, ana my loea tnat the
farther away we keep from politics the
better 1t will be for our organization. When
we commence to trife with politics we be-
gin TO create factions in our ranks that are
apt to lead US TO disruption. At least, we
lose sight of the real objects of our union"
Anthony Barnes, wielder of the trowel,
said: aside from the late differences, the
Plasterers' Assembly has succeeded admira-
bly, since last Labor Day. Our branch of
trade had a great deal less to contend with
than many of the other building trades in
the way OF disputes. We settled our griev-
ances to-day, and workmen representing this
line of trade have reason to be jubiant and
10 enter heartily in the days celebration"