The Portland daily press., 1890-04-30
CAMPAIGNING FOR SHORTER HOURS
The Portland Carpenters Union
Again Talk the Matter over.
They Appear Determined and confl-
dent of Carrying Their Point.
News Of the Struggle in this Country
and Abroad.

A meeting in the interest Of the nine hour
movement was held at Congress hall last
evening
| Prior to the calling Of the meeting to or
| der it was announced by different carpen-
ters, that various firms had granted the de-
| mand for the nine hours advance at the ten
hour rate. The following firms were men
toned among others:
Lincoln & Elges, who Iemploy five or six
men, and at times from ten to thirty.
G. III. Hobson, who employs from one to
| ten men.
A. ID. Smith, who has from six to fifty men
in his employ.
Rackley & Howatt, who employ five men.
President Mann called the meeting to or
der. He said the Brotherhood of Carpenters
and Joiners has learnediwisdom from the ex-
perience of the knights Of Labor, and will
do all in their power to prevent strike, but
| they propose to give themselves more leisure
and if possible lay aside few dollars by the
shortening of the hours of labor. There
will be kick here in Portland on the part
Of some of the contractors, but if the men
stand firm they will win. The smaller con-
tractors see the advantage of the shortening
Of the hours of labor, and admit that they
see it. but some large contractors will not ad-
NIT what they see. President Mann said
that perhaps the best evidence he could give
of his interest in the movement was to say
that his six men would work nine hours af-
ter May first, and would get full pay.
strong nine hour speech.
Mr.. Files, non-union man, said he was
for nine hours.
Mr.. Brown, a non-union man asked what
Portland Union 344 proposed to do.
Mr.. w. FL. Gilpatrick,a "a leading union man,
said that Union 344 voted to stop work the
first Of May at o'clock, and they will stand
by it and If they do they will 60 to work
again the next day.
Mr.. Gilpatrick said that leading contrac-
tor had made strong effort to induce all the
contractors to sign paper refusing ID give
the nine hours, but he met with but indiffer-
ent success. Some of the best contractors
did not sign, and will not. He spoke Of the
graceful way in which A. d. Smith met the
demands of bis men.
Mr.. Gibson, contractor, said he was
favorable to the movement.
Mr.. Berry, Of Blalsdell SS Berry. said there
would be no strike in his crew. 1t will work
nine hours with the rest.
James Kelley said as a result of the last
public meeting held by the Union, % men
came in, and are now numbered with the
good men and true who will stand by the
Union. Mr.. Kelley referred to the course
taken a. BY D. Smith 6n in R % promptly meet fS
Union men work with the nOn-union men
after May 1st? is often asked. We ought
not to, but we have decided not to enforce
the rule for the present, but all should re-
time. All should get into the Union. There
will be little fight here against the reduction
| in the hours of labor"
S. ID. Lincoln made vigorous speech
against the importation Of foreign non-
union labor.
Mr. Howatt, contractor, ex-
pressed his warm interest in the movement
in the city. He opposed the boycotting of
non-union men. holding that the nOn-union
men will support the movement for reduc-
tion of the hours of labor.
1t may be said that the bosses will yield
the reduction in the hours of labor, but pro-
pose to pay by the hour; but the carpenters
of Portland will never consent to accept
that. "It has been said that one con-
tractor. said Mr.. Howatt, sis circulating a
paper binding the contractors not to yield to
| the demand. He didn't come to me, but
| will say that the first man he discharges L
will hire" Mr.. Howatt said the mistake
made by the carpenters of Portland was in
| not asking for eight hours, regardless of pay.
| Ee thought that two-thirds of the builders of
| Portland would yield the nine hours with
full pay.
Mr.. Somers, sash maker. said he would
| be glad to grant his men nine hours, but
could not do so until the rest yielded. A. +.
Lorrey referred to the offer of Mr.. Howatt
to hire the first man discharged by the con-
tractors. He thought that more than one
would be discharged.
John w. Somer5 said a man came to him
and asked him to give him the names of all
the members of the Carpenters Onion. Mr..
Somers understood that the names were to
be published in paper issued out of the
state.
President Mann said that so long as the
president of the Builders Exchange had
yielded, the other bosses ought to have no
difficulty in following his example.
Mr.. Dooly of Bath said he was for the
Union first, last and all the time.
Mr.. Moody said he couldn't tell what his
boss would do, but he should work nine
hours after May 1st.
A question asked by Mr.. Duncan called
out a number of speeches, all Of which ex-
pressed decided opposition to the idea of
monthly payments
Mr.. Kelley made very vigorous talk ON
that point. The Union don't want a man
who is paid by the month. There are young
carpenters here who are afraid OF some loss
or they would sign the application here and
become members of the Union.
No more public meetings will be held. The
Union will now act