The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-05-04
OPPOSED TO
PUBLICITY.
a Star Chamber Meeting Of the
Millmen's Association.
An Offer of Compromise Proposed to the strik-
ers-More Molders Comiug-Non-
Unionists serenadei.

Affairs at the planning mills were in very I'm
settled condition yesterday. Very few OF the
strikers returned to work, and those who re-
manned out spent their time around the shops In
which they had been employed.
Some OF them appeared TO be anxious to go
back 10 work; but the majority evlnced no de-
sire to 90 back to their benches. At an early
hour in the morning meeting was held in the
Coast Seamen's Hall Oh East street, at which
many members condemned the carpenters for
Withdrawing their support, which they had
promised the mmen in the event OF strike.
President Floyd OF the Carpenters Union was
present when the meeting was called 10 order.
II was his intention to tell the strikers why The
carpenters had decided TO oppose strike until
August LIST, but he decided 10 desist when he
heard motion made to appoint committee to
draft resolutions censuring his union for its
action.
NO MIsTAKING THE TEMPER.
There was no mistaking the temper OF the
strikers and Floyd withdrew He subsequently
learned that the resolution was withdrawn and
that committee Of four, consisting of two
benchmen and as many machine hands, had been
appointed to attend meeting OF the Mimen's
Association, Which was held during The after
noon.
This meeting was held with closed doors, and
when the participants had plugged up the key
holes and hung their garments upon the WIN
dOwS they passed q resolution thai the Secretary
concerning their proceedings. Then the business
OF this star-chamber meeting proceeded, and, it
Is Iumored, was marTed by diSsensionS.
The association Is not united in its opposition
10 the eght-hour movement. one OF its most
prominent members stated that he was in favor
OF giving The men Ihe reduction OF hours they de-
mand. This reduction may be granted, but IL
Will not be made without a corresponding reduc-
lion Of wages, which, II Is said, the journeymen
are willing TO accept
OBJECTIONS or THE MILLMEN.
The reason why The miilmen do not want to
reduce the hours of labor said contractor
VINO was iniery LEVIED on the subject ''Is the
sane old selfish reason which Dives would have
given if lie had been asked why lie did not give
Lazarus mole Ihan cIumbs-H Lazarus were
given more Dives would have less.
They say that they have made contracts.
which they could not prohtably perform If they
reduced hours. Now the woTkme are willing
that while reducing hours the mlll-owners shall
reduce wages also. How then VIII they lose
money on their contracts? Ii will cost them no
more TO have their work done then that II costs
them now.
1T VIII really cost them less; for their hands,
having more rest and recreation, Will do better
work. But they know that II they reduce the
nous Of toll they Will be obliged 10 have more
men. They know that there VIII be fewer Idle
mechanics on the streets, and the supply
longer exceeding The demand the lab0rer will be
able 10 obtain higher wages.
- That is the reason why the millmen do not
want TO reduce hours. Another reason is that
this demand in one body OF machinists is the en-
terlng wedge that VIII cieaye an entrance for all.
We can now see The result OF Monday In this
city.
CONTAGIOUS EXAMPLE.
The carpenters, The plasturers, many paint
efs, the fathers, The plumbers and gas-ftteTs aud
some other crafts have gained a reduction Of
hours the brewery workmen, said 10 be 400
strong, have not only secured a reduction of
labor but an increase OF wages.
" The example OF these men Is contagious and
The contractors and capitalists dread a general
demand that would probably have to be granted
els"
lie striking mill-hands grew FESTIVE during
the afternoon and gathered around Beale-
street shop where men were al work. The pro-
rIletcrs fearing some riotous demonstration
called Tor and obtained police protection.
The builders, having learned from their en-
plOyes that in union is strength. ale moving
toward The Organization OF q federation OF en-
plOyeTs.
Tie master masons and brick-layers held a
meeting on Friday evening, at which twenIy-sM
firms we've represented, and decided to join The
boss carpenters and millowneTs in forming an
association for protecting their interests against
The aggressions Of labor.
FROM RELIABLE SOURCE.
From reliable authority it has been learned
Employers Association is willing to reduce
working hours TO eight per day for two months,
b ginning on Tuesday morning, with reduction
o. cages.
After the expiration of this time the eight-hour
Gay VIII be continued, but the men must accept
The mill-hands will meet tomorrow at Coast
Seamen's Hail TO decide what action they Will
take with regard to this proposition. They voted
unanimously IN favor OF the eight-houT day.
Contractor Wissnger. whose name appeared
In list, OF contractors, who 1t Is alleged, had
hour day, stated yesterday that his name had
been placed on the list without his consent. IL
Is stated that other contractors. whose names
also appear on the list, declare that they were
put there without their consent.
This places Contractor Grant who gave the
names to theipreSs, in an unenViabe position but
he takes the matter cOOlly aud is still endeayor-
Ing 10 induce builders to oppose the unions de-
maDd.
The Executive Committee of the Carpenters
Union met last night and reported that the pick
cts have found few members of the craft who are
working more than eight hours per day.
They stated also that Contractor Grants men
are all on strike, and that Charles Mason, an
other ntne-hour man, who is building house on
Washington street, near Broderlek, cannot OBJ
tain al assistant.
OVER IN OAKLAND.
There is no Conflict In Oakland between tbs
mill-owners and the NIL l-workmen. The bench
men, who are members OF the Carpenters Union
are working eight hours day, the others nine
hours. III trouble Will come at all, 1t Will not be
until June 1st, when The carpenters say they will
refuse to handle any work from mill where the
eighi-EOur rule does not prevail, or at least
does not apply TO carpenters at work in the mill
The miil-hands have not yet perfected their or
Ranizatlon to an extent sufficient to demand an
eiglt-hour day.
holiday on Saturday in lieu OF reduction in the
number OF hours work each day. Ali the men,
union and non union, agreed aud the arrange.
ment VIII go into effect next Saturday, with
out involving reduction IN wages MIR.
Hleitlhy said yesterday that there Is not kicker
III tile mill, and that this hearty cooperation Is
worth more TO them than the loss by the half
holiday. He further said that Veiteh Brothers
had made similar arrangement aud that the
East Oakland Planning mill proprietors had also
Deen talking to him about II. HieT.Ihy, Bell &
Co. do little or no work for San francisco con
tractors, SO they are not affected by the arrange
meuts made by the San Francisco Association.
Two union men are on strike at the Eagle mill.
The Burnham-Standeford mill employees are
WORE ing niue hours. Mole & Macon have
adopted the elght-bour system. The Oakland
blaming mil owners have also given their hands
lie elght-hour day. but then members OF the
association which has declared for nine hours,
may make another arrangement, Kendall &
Co.'S men are working nine hours aud also
Knights & Littiefed's. The Independent mill
las AdOpled the elghI-h nur sYstem.