The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-04-03
the BUILDERS POSITION.
a Statement From the Exchange
Regarding the PAYNE mt system.

The following statement has been pre-
pared by a committee of the Builders Ex-
change, stating the position of that body
respecting the system of payment by the
hour:
In view Of the fact that protest has been
made against the system of payment "by
the hour" and strike set on foot by the
Plasterers' Union, IL has been deemed ad-
visable to explain the situation to the public.
The positions of the Exchange and of all
but one Of its plastering contractors are
analogous in this matter Some time ago
notice was given all the active members of
the Exchange that on March 18th an i'm
portant meeting would be held to act upon
two propositions. The first was to join the
National Association Of Builders, and was
passed with but one dissenting voice. Tne
second was whether or not this Exchange
should adopt the system of paying by the
hour Upon this question the vote was
unanimously in the affirmative. Some of
the master masons and carpenters present
stated during the discussion on this subject
that they have always paid their % men by by
wisdom or justice of such a course.
At the same time these two questions re-
ceived more attention than any others that
have been considered in the past, for the
meeting was the largest the Association has
yet held.
One of the special aims of the Builders
Exchange is the establishment here Of uni.
form methods for the transaction of bust
ness. Prominent among these may be
classed the system of paying ''by the hour"
In its declaration of principles the Ma
tional Association of Master Builders re-
cOmmends all its affiliated bodies to secure,
as soon as possible, the adoption of system
of payment "by the hour" for all labor per
formed, other than "piece worA" or SALARY
work" and to obtain the cooperation Of as
sociations of workmen in this just AMI lquit-
able arrangement. For four years the Ma
tional Association has steadily reiterated
this principle and beheld with qualification
its rapid growth and widespreading accept
larger cities. Therefore this system must
eventually prevail. And this is especially
true where a continual agitation. for short
er days labor. exists. This agitation has al
ready dissipated all definite ideas as to what
really constitutes a days labor. In the
nine and ten hours, or according as local
unions may dictate. This same state
of things is liable to annoy us here in Port
land soon unless we guard against 1t by the
uniform adoption of this system of payment
by the hour. No one would attempt to dis
pute the statement that when men are paid
by the hour they will be anxious to work at
least nine or ten hours each day, and that
the tendency would be more towards a uni
form days labor.
In the light of these facts and in full ac-
cord with the recommendations of the Ma
tional Association our Exchange must nee
essarily adhere firmly to its position and
deal with anyone who would ignore unani-
nous vote, based upon fundamental rule of
the association, as his case merits.
AS the plastering contractors are the first
to meet with opposition in their endeavor to
pay by the hour, a reference to their present
situation is apropos. All of these employers,
five in number, met and were fully agreed
that, consistent with the vote Of the Ex-
change, they would after April 1st pay "by
agreement were Messrs. R.: X. Galley. P.
Feeney, Kelley, Devine IL Ward, Jackson d
Dugan and p. Ward. The journeymen were
duly notified both in their meeting and at
the various shops on Saturday OF this agree
ment, with the exception of Mr.. Gatley's, who
omitted to instruct his men at this time.
The consequence is that only his men are
at work at present, and those under the old
system of payment by the day. The gentle
men who stand by their agreement desire
that the public should know the true facts OF
the case. When they asked Mr.. Galley
his men that hereafter they should be paid
by the hour. he refused to do so, stating that
payment by the day was satisfactory to him.
Whereupon it was necessary for him,to re-
sign his positions both as chairman OF that
body and on the Exchange arbitration COM
mittee.
The contractors feel that he has. by his
action, done them an injustice, and will not
recognize his ris.!. 10 remain a member Of
the Exchange under all the circumstances
Moreover, his position is regarded as
strengthening the arbitrary rule of the Plas-
terers' Union.
As the employers simply ask change 10
the method of paying, and one which Will
do away with the pernicious habit OF paying
and charging for hours not worked, they
feel assured that they are assuming posi-
tion when must merit public approval, and
one by which they can protect the interests
Of their patrons, meaning fair PLAY for all
concerned. AS these gentlemen intend to
move in the right way, they. must certainly
enlist also in their behalf the earnest sup
port of the Builders Exchange.