The morning call., 1890-05-27
ORGANIZED LABOR.
A Resume of the Causes of the
MOlders' Strike.
How B. h Sides Feel After Twelve Weeks Of
stiuggling-The Ena Still Far Of
Dry-G5ods Men Organize.

II was said when the members OF Iron mold
ers Union No. 164, in twelve local foundries
left their employment last March, that the strike
thus inauguraled would be long one.
The words were prophetic. Twelve weeks
have gone by ana the situation as regards the
near approach Of the end OF the strike is about
the same as 1t was al the beginning.
The strikers are still firm in mainta aiming their
position, there not having been deserter from
their ranks, and President Valentine says that
their confidence IN ultimate success Is mistaken,
and that they are able 10 hold their own for an
indefinite time yet, in fact as long as the foundry
men.
On the other hand, the members OF the EDgn-
GERS and FOundrymen's Association have recov-
cred IN a measure nom the depression which
came upon them dulng the few first weeks OF
the trouble, and with their shops running with
small forces of men secured in the East and else
where. declare that they VIII not suecumb TO the
demands OF Union 164
IMPORTANT ISSUES INVOLVED.
The strike is one which will be recorded in the
industrial annals OF the city, IL is OF greater
magnitude aud Involves mole important Issues
than any which preceded ii. The trouble which
caused II was brewing for several months before
II eliminated in The strike.
Differences tween the holders Union and
the Foundrymens Association made their APP
pearance last October 1t was then that the
Moldels' Union sent notices around 10 the fore
men Of foundreS that they would not be allowed
10 work on The floor unless tney first became
members Of the union.
Mccormick Brothers had a foreman who did
not belong tO the union. and hey refused TO obey
This order. In consequence The molders In
their shop struck. Efforts TO settle the matter
by arbitration were in vain, aud relations be-
tween the union and the association were
somewhat strained.
The stllke was precDtated by the action OF
the Ironfounders' Association, on the 18th OF
December last, in sending a commu nication TO
the Irou- mOlders Union stating that on and
after January l, 1890 certain mutual agree
ment making len hours days Work aud SO 80
the minimum rate OF pay and entered INTO by the
would no longer be observed by them.
A CONFERENCE WITHOUT RESULT.
In January a conference WAS held between the
molderS Executive Committee and the manu-
facturers. The firms claimed that they had lost
money during the year owing to Eastern cOmpe-
ttlon and lie unions stringent rules
The moldels stated that they suffered also, as
very few OF their men mad been employed more
than baf the time, and then had 10 share their
savings with others who were less fortunate.
and that large sums mad been spent in taking
care OF SICK and disabled members.
Inc following proposition was made by the
association delegates:
First-Tnst the union shall, at its next conven-
ton. endvavor TO secure for the shops larger per-
eentage OF apprentices
seeond-Ihat tie minimum rate OF wages be fixed
at So day.
Third-rhat apprentices after their time had ex-
pred should work one year under instructions
before being entitled 10 demand the minimum rate.
Fourth-lhat all limitation on work be withdrawn.
These propositions were refused by The mold
ers as against the rules OF their union, and the
association thefeupou passed resolutions declin-
ing lO recognize the right OF the Nodes Union
10 organize 10 exclude from shops moldeIs not
lnemDSts OF us Oody OF 10 regulate The amount
OF work man may perform each day or 10 iegu-
late lie number OF apprentices. Further more
all wages were 10 be paid by tie hour.
MoLDERs NOTIFIED.
On Feb ruary 2Ist notice was given 70 the
Molders Union OF these resolutions, accom-.
panied by the statement that they would 90 into
effect March 10Th. The spirit Of the resolution
was carried out FIRST IN the Occidental roundTy
where Joseph Valentine President OF The NJ old
ers' Union, aud two other men were discharged
for limiting The days work at the objection Of
tie union.
lie molders denied that they had limited work
except IN one Instance, and not waiting until
March ION the strike was ordered week
before, and on March Sd twelve local fuundries
had not mOder The core-makers and The ap-
prentlces In these shops went out with the mold
In all 161 men and 40 boys struck The
foundres affected were the Union, RisdOn, Gold
en- State and Miners, Fulton, Industrial. DC
cldenta Byron JackSous, Garratps and tie
vulcan. The men from the last-named foundry
returned 10 work within few days, however, as
lhe vulcan was mol III tie association.
sIEGERs AND BEsIEGED.
While tile fOundrymen maintained that the
hight rested upon the Limitation OF work
prentice and wages propositions, the moders
Claimed that the reduction Of wages was the
main feature OF The strike. Win the other two
propositions the local union HAD nothing TO do,
those subjects resting with the International
Union.
Such is a brief review of the circumstances
leading up to The long strike. The Incidents
which mark the twelve weeks since the molders
left work are pretty well known. For the first
two both sides INDUCED in great deal of discus
sion upon the various Issues involved and from
their respective standpOintS.
On March 18th Tie foundrymen proved TO the
strikers tuat tleV had carried their threat az
importing Eastern men. Forty-siX, most OF
whom were fIom Philadelphia, arrived. OF
these the m0lderS secured over thirty, and such
East.
From that time both sides seemed to have set
tied down 10 siege, and they are sun settled.
More Eastern men arrived in large and small
patches at various times, and now the fouu-
dries. which were deserted on March Sd have
between them 70 or more men besides numerous
apprentices President Valentine says only 81
are 1T work, aud OF these about fifteen only ale
first class men in their trade.
As result OF running with reduced forces the
fOundTles are OF course not handling the work
which they could otherwise They are compelled
10 refuse some contracts III which dispatch is de-
manded.
AMATTER FOR CONJECTURE.
What the end Of the strike will be is yet mat
ter for conjecture, as Is also the question how
long II Will last. Neither SIDE has at yet mad
any advances toward the other, looking TO co IL
ference wnereat differences might be arbitrated
upon.
Within the past few weeks the matter OF bring
Ing ABOUT a conference of this Kind has been
spoken of by uninterested parties, but the
foundTymen and the molders seem to mold aloof,
as |. either Is afraid TO make the first advance,
for fear II would be construed as a sign of weak
ness. Some OF the foundrymeu oppose a
conference, saying that when it was pro-
posed before the strike the molders
rejected all advances looking to that end
They willing to treat with the strikers as in
diyidual men, but not as members of the union.
Others OF the iouuiTymen are of the opinion
That some kind Of a settlement OF the trouble
should be brought about. No basis of
any settlement has been considered by the
fOundrymen. but according to indications il Is
not at all unlikely that some conference may be
arranged very soon.
prominent member of the Foundrymens
Association said yesterday: Why. the mold
ers say we have refused to treat with
have been made by them indicating that they
desired any settlement. II is true that Mr.. Val
entine has met individual members OF tile asso.
citation and talked with them; but nothing has
been said which could be considered by Woody,
III they are anxious to come TO an understanding
with us, why don't they communicate with us
through our Secretary? And then their letter
Will receive due consideration"
VALENTINES STATEMENT.
As regards The present state of feeling on the
strikers side the following statement made nv
President Valentine Will show IL:
The Manufacturers Association has obtained a
certain amount of public sympathy by representing
mined TO ruin their business by establishing arbi-
trary and unjust rules In their shops. We have re-
ptattutS TINS CHARGE Salu from the start
tnat we were willing to meet and confer with them
for the purpose OF arranging just and reasonable
Settlem OF ali our differences.
We have never threatened to break up their So
ciety or injure the iron trade here but they have
announced their determination 10 disrupt our
union. We have never said that would refuse to
treat with them in any form they might choose to
approach us. while they have openly declared that
they would never consult with us again as union
mention these facts to show these firms up be-
fore the public in their true light by using own
sayings, and to let the people OF Francisco see
who are iniIring our industries by unjust and
reasonable demands regret to observe that these
firms in their folly seem to think that because we
have publicly announced from the start our willing
ness to waive all techncalitles and come to an u1-
Outstanding with them on 4 common-sense olive and
let live" basis, that we weakening. They never
made greater mistake We stronger now in
every way than at the start. Conse quently we can
afford to be patient. Time Will surely bring us vic
tory. -
Last Sunday a non-union molder, named Syl-
yester. employed at the Golden State and Miners
Iron Works, was assaulted by a number OF men
IN atr