Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-10-06
SPECIAL NOTICES.

<TS,THE JoURNEYMEN PAINTERS OF
49, Washington. desiring the sympathy and as
sstsnce of the public in their effort to secure an
eight hour working day, submit the following state
ment to show why aud how such aid should be given.
In March Of the present year Committee from Dis
trict Assembly, No. sc, Knights of Labor conferred
with the Builders Exchange on the subject of an
eigh-hour day for all building trades in Washington
Though the individual members Of the Exchange
We're quite favorable to the proposition it was de-
cded that the right way for the Journeymen and
Masters Of each trade to the matter for them
selves.
Accordingly the representatives of the Master and
Journeymen Painters had several meetings and at
length proposition with N any provisos and ccndi
honsl for an eight hour day to take effect April l.
1891 was formulated by the Master Painters com
mittee to be submitted to the two constituent bodies
for approval The Journeymen Painters Union re-
fused to accept the proposition submitted and asked
FOR further conference. To this request answer
was made by tie Master Painters Association and the
negotiations fell through, leaving the iourneynen
under no agreement Or obligation whatever TO CON
tinue at work the then existing rule as to time or
wages.
Early In September the journeymen demanded an
eight-aour day with the old rate Of wages and struck
on tne enrloyers who refused to concede it, They had
been wnraifg hours Ter day Is on Saturday at 80
per day. being o3 hours week for SS. "a cents
All hour. By the new rule they wouid have worked 4S
hours for SIS. ut the rate of 371p cents hour
lhhs tilc master painters would have conceded but
hve hours week. equivalent of 81 cents an hour
10 oach journeynan 1t should not be forgotten that
the last hour OF the day when the jaded and
the light is failing is tine hour that would ha We been
lost to the employers
That this concession possible Is shown by the
fact that large number Of master painters at o0ce
cheorfully accepted the day. and that more
than two-thirds Of the ;ourneymen work on
that basis.
To defeat the .ourneymen the obdurcte master
painters have allowed their fall In srrears
10 inc inconvenience Of their patrons and have en-
deavoIed and are yet endesvorir to procure pain
from other cities to take the places Of their late
ployes.
The journeymen painters would warn the public
against the evil effects OF the importation of outside
painters. In the first place. this heigh Of paint
ing season. every competent painter is sure of employ
ment In the city where he belongs and is known. and
none but unskilled botch painters who depend for
employment on opportunite es to take the places of
strikers and who drift from place to place. be
secured The wretched character of the work of these
mon can be seen wherever they are employed in this
city, aud We give friendly caution to all parties hav
lng painting done by them to inspect the work we'll
before accepting and paying for it.
in the second place, the resident journeymen
painters are numerous enough 20 Go the painting Of
this city he influx of painters OF small skill and
worthless character, who will be stranded here
as the strike and the Id masters and journey
men come together again, can only infict injury upon
the trade and the community.
The journeymen regret the inconvenience the strike
has caused the community and are desirous of
ing It, There are many employers VINO have agreed
with the journeymen and going their busi-
ness Is capable OF expansion to meet any domGnds
Ihe lourne! mems union has ample funds to tit ont its
members to take contracts and they able and will
ing TO do hrstclass work cheaper than 1t is done BY
the employers who refuse the oiaht- hour day
great many OF the most prominent business men
have taken their work away the unfair
and given II TO those who with the jOurneyinen
Many others whose work was contract have
dered great aid to the journeymen by insisting
prompt fulflment of the contract and refusing 10
cept the strike a good excuse for delay.
The rule Of an eight hour day is accepted by the
national government and i'll the minds of all thinking
people should and soUn WILL become general but II
must be urged by such efforts the lourneynan
painters now making. There has been much talk
little action is also necessary
Tine journeymen painters desire to test the value Of
pubic sympathy. They have made just demand ami
backed up by peaceful aud lawful methods II the
Washington pubic believe that eight hours OF hard
daily work ought to win living, that the resident
journeymen PAINTERS ought to DO the painting for
Washington and that the importation Of tramp paint
ers. who are too worthless TO ind work where known
even at this season Of the year. is censuabe they
10 much to make their sentiments known.
II citizens of Washington will engage none but fair
employers or will give their painting direct TO union
Painters or will insist their contr employing
union men and promptly performing thsir undertaG-
ings and will accept inferior work if the newspa
pers, business men and public nen VIII advocate tie
Jourueyncn painters cause 1t Will lie recognized that
there Is such thing as "a healthy public sentiment
subject Of labor" and the fast will be fully ap-
pa ecated by all working people the District Of Co.
lumbia.
The establishment Of ei2ht-hour day In the paint
crs' trade in Washington is assured and the jour
neyinen, with their support from orEguzed labor
strong enough to carry It through At the same time
the cost effort and inconS enleuce the pubic of
Completing what has been begun may lie grt atty les
sencd. with advantage to every body unfair
ter painters the Community, In all practical ways
will give expression to its sympathy with Jour
neymen Painters ami Decoratiy: Cuiou.
BY order OF
It. LXECUTIVE COMMITTEE,