Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-02
LAB0R'S AT HOME
The Timers and Roofers' Strike the
Only Trouble in Pittsburg.
RAILWAY EMPLOYEES JUBILATING.
Alleged Misrepresentation of the Situation
at Wheeling.
SECRETARY DlLLON'S LAST REPORT

While nearly 100 cities in other parts o
the country were thrown into convulsionI
yesterday over the move for reduction o.
hours and advance in wages, Pittsburg was
serene and undisturbed, save by single rip.
pie of discomfort in the ranks of the timers.
There is but very little trouble among the
local workmen. although it is possible that
this city will share some of the difficulties
with which other labor centers are threat
ened.
The carpenters who are leading in the de-
mands in other places appear to be pretty
well satisfied here. They will oppose the
use of foreign-made material and refuse to
work on non-union masonry. The timers
have been partially successful in gaining
their point. The plumbers and gasftters
threaten to strike. They held meeting on
Market street last night and appointed a
committee to confer with the employers in
regard to their demands for shorter hours
1t is said that unless they are ganted by
May strike will occur.
TO REoRGAN1zE THE BUILDERS.
The important move in the building trades
at present is an agitation looking toward
the organization of a Building Trades
Council, to be composed OF delegates from
the various trades organizations. This is q
revival of the old Builders League, for
which John E. O'Shea was walking dele
gate" and who is credited with causing its
lapse. A meeting will be held tomorrow
evening at the headquarters, No. 537 Smith
held street, Tor the purpose of organizing the
council. The purpose is to iederate the
building trades of Allegheny county.
The switchmen are satisfied with the set
tlement of their difficulty. The new rate of
81 8S and So per day for conductors and
81 16 and 50 % for brakemen went into effect
yesterday on all the roads centering in the
city. Each side is satisfied and everything
is harmonious. About 800 railway employees
met in Knights of Labor Hall last night
and were addressed by several members of
the Supreme Council, who remained over.
Frank T. Hawley presided and j. E. Cooley
acted as Secretary. E. V. Debs, Grand
Master of the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Firemen, delivered the first address, and
was succeeded by A. E. Wilkinson, of the
Brotherhood of Railway Tralnmen; G. w.
Howard. Grand Master of the Brotherhood
of Railway Conductors; P. H. Morrisy,
First Vice Grand Master of the Brotherhood
of Railway Trainmen; John Downey, Vice
Grand Master of the Switchmen's Associa-
tion, and other local speakers. The drift of
the speeches was advice to the non-union
men present to join the organization.
THE UNION CAUSED THE CHANGE.
1t was argued that had it not been for the
organization, no demands would have been
recognized by the companies this time. The
non-union men, he said. get the benefit alike
wit ha ms Mr.
that capital is organizing and the only pos
sible way in which capital can be combatted
is through organization. The work of the
local committee was commended. One of
the speakers stated that if all difficulties be-
tween employers and employees were con-
Quoted in the same manner as this one was,
it would never be necessary to strike.
After the meeting adjourned MIR. Hawley
stated to the reporters that he knew from the
first the men were asking too much from the
Being chairman of one of the
he was compelled to insist on
the demands being granted. He also stated
there was lack of thorough organization.
Whatever may have been the conditions by
which a settlement was reached, the ship
pers are among the happiest men, because
by the sound judgment and nerve of the Su-
preme Council tie-up was avoided.
The present agitation for shorter hours
and more wages recalls move made 20
years ago for the same purpose. In Pitts
burg there was an organization known as
the Working Mems Club. Karl Reuber,
the labor poet of this city, was secretary Of
Of the club. The knights of Labor was
unknown, and the club was the recognized
labor organization. New York inaugurated
The movement for eight hours, and won.
followed. but did not succeed.
The Working Mems Club was afterward |
merged into the knights of Labor,