The morning call., 1890-04-30
BREAD-WINNERS.
The MilImen's Demands for
Fewer Hours Refused.
Carpenters Wages VIII Be Rsduesd-FOun-
dry Laborers Discharged From the
Risdon-A Cooperative Scheme.


TlTEere are signs that the demand made by
certain societies of workingmen for re-
duction of laboring hours on and after to-
morrow morning will not be conceded with
out struggle.
For the conflict which is coming the
workmen have provided ammunition. The
laborers in the breweries, who have asked
reduction from ten to nine hours per day
and an increase of 81 per week in their
wages, have an Emergency Fund of $1,000
and the resources of the Federated Trades
at their command.
The carpenters also have large Reserve
Fund and will be supported by the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor, which has col
lected an assessment of 2 cents per week
per capita during the past six weeks to sup
port the men who will demand reduction
of hours.
The mill men were but recently organ
lied, and have no known resources. The
brewery workmen are hopeful that their
demand will be granted. The association
which controls most of the breweries in
this city and the vicinity has virtually de-
cided in favor of the change, but leaves
each member to do as he sees best.
OPPOSED BY SMALL BREWERS.
Tie three breweries that are not repre-
scented in the association have already in
formed their employees that the reduction of
wages and hours asked by them will be
granted. But there are few proprietors
Of small establishments in the association
that 1t is said Will oppose a change.
The Builders Association, composed of
representatives of 49, firms, met yester-
day afternoon to consider the demand of
the carpenters for reduction OF hours to
eight per day, beginning with tomorrow.
Few Of the members were opposed to the
change, as they readily saw that it would
cause the employment OF more men, and
would result in the building of more houses
but they decided that wages should be cor
Tesp0ndingly reduced.
Prominent members Of the Carpenters
Union state that there viii be no general
opposition to the proposed reduction of
wages. That Is matter that will be regu-
lated by the law of supply and demand.
ROUGH SAILING AHEAD.
The millmen, who recently organized a
union, have rough sailing ahead of them.
They have also demanded an elght-hOuT
day, but their demand viii not be conceded.
The Mlilmen's Association, representing
the prOprlotOrs OF twenty-four mills in this
city, Oakland and Alameda, met yesterday
afternoon at 800 Pine street, President W.
j. Thompson in the chair and w. Y.
Mlllln acting RS Secretary.
The employees demand was discussed,
and II was decided by unanimous vote
that all wOfkmen should be obliged to labor
nine hours per day. To some Of the work
men this means reduction, as they have
been labOring ten hours per day, but it does
not affect the majority.
Trouble may result on aecondt of this
action, as it is said that the Carpenters
Unions Will refuse to handle material pre-
pared by men who work more than eight
hours.
A LETTER FROM GoMPERs.
The Eight-HOur League held a meeting
last night, at which J. J. Curry of the
Typographical Union presided, and the fol-
lowing important communication was re-
ceiyed from Samuel Gompers, President of
the American Federation of Labor:
NEW YORK, April %. 1890.
To the Wage- W0rbers and SDnlPatIiserS lCitH
Progress IN 4Dierjcd-GREETLNG AS you are
well aware, in accordance with the resolution Of
The Boston Convention OF the American Fedora -
lion Of Labor 10 select trade to make the de-
mand for the enforcement Of The eight-hour
Workday, May 1st. the Executive Council have
decided that the United Brotherhood OF Cdrpeu-
ieis ana JOners OF America shall make The de-
ulaud.
We had reason 10 hope from the calm, DELHI
crate and educational manner with which the
agitation for the movement has been conducted,
from tie timely notice which we gave OF our in
tended movement, so thsI contracts and arrang e-
MeAts could be made III accordance with the
shorter hours OF work; and further from the
pluyipg Builders, that The reduction OF tile hours
u labor 10 eight Der day would have been grace
iuLy conceded without cessation OF work or dis
puIe.
We are confronted. however, with an evident
denomination on The part OF The employing
huIdtrs 10 antagonlZe by every means IN their
power lie Introduction OF this most absoIut ely
necessary reduction OF the hours Of labor. We
call upon Won TO witness the hostile altitude of
tile boss builders OF Chicago and indianapolis as
evidence Of what opposition and treatment we
nay expect when the general demand is made
No quarter is to be given to labor. We VIII
lave 10 conquer BY force OF numbers, organZa-
t0B, determination and discipline, what Is not
"uiy our Just and reasonable right, but even the
slightest concession 10 amelierRIe the condition
OF The toilius masses.
II appears that the wealth power and influence
Of Tie employing and corporate classes of the
country are 10 be concentrated to defeat the
movement which seeks not only to improve tile
csndtIIun OF tie employed but which Will find
employment and, consequently save from pow
cry, deg sdation and despair The hundreds OF
thousands OF our idle fellow men and women.
In view OF ihls situation IL will be
n-cessaTy FOR the wage workers and their
friends oi America TO rally with greater unan-
lmiy oil purpose than ever before, To concentrate
a.. their Efforts to cOunteract and overcome the
action Of our enemies.
Ihc5s OF our fellow oIlers who contemplate tax
lng action 10 secure concessions IN their several
trades and caiugs, We ask to defer action uniil
Inns frs great struggle has been won. Ii we are
Successful ln this contest, which we shall be
with your AID and cooperation, concessions will
he easier obtained by all. should you, on the
RtAci manu. GllNs6 your euOfLS upon various
movements, il VIII mean but defeat for all; even
though an advantage b. gained by you, it VIII be
but temporary. Ii Will surely be taken from you
aud leave the wage-wOTkeTS OF the whole country
IN demoraiiZed and hopeless condition for quite
lime.
To meet The combined opposition OF the enc.
niles OF Labor It's friends must rally and stand
united They must voluntarily contribute theiI
mites 10 place at the disposal of the American
Federation of Labor sum OF money sufficient 10
meet all contingencies. Remember, that though
The funds OF The federation and its affiliated
unions are large, they may be strained to the
npermost, and though your contributions may
be small when all do the best they eau i vast
amount VIII be the result.
We desire 10 be prepared for every emergency
which may arise IN this movement and assure
you that, should the fund raised not be required
10 assure victory IN the eigat-hour movement of
The Carpenters aud jOtners, we Will devote II "a
securing the same benefcent result 10 the trades
and ealiings selected in their turn TO make the
demand.
There is a very large number OF sympathizers
with the labor movement who are not wage
~oTSefs, ana who would gladly financially aid
the mpending struggle and an opportunity Is
mere Afforded them SO TO do.
In the name OF our noble and progressive
cause, we appeal TO all to AID to the extent OF
your ability, and bring improvement and Victory
10 the toilers, honor and advancement 10 The
enllre people OF our country and the whole civ
ilIZed world.
Send all contributions to Secretary Chris
Eyans' Il Clinton place, New York. Fraternally
President American Federation Of Labor.
WILLIAM MARTIN
First Vice President.
p. j. MCGUIRE,
Second Vice President.
HENRY ENRICH,
Treasurer.
Attest: CHRIS EVANS. Secretary.
RECEIVED WITH APPLAUSE.
The reading of the above communication