Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-10
A TEST OF STRENGTH.
An Attempt to Break the JOurneymen
Plumbers Organization.
APPRENTICES MEET TO ORGANIZE.
The Window Glass Workers Association
Now Has President,
BUT IT'S DIFFICULT TO SAY WHO he is

The plumbers strike now gives promise
of being a prolonged fight. The journey
men held meeting at 10 o'clock yesterday
morning, and appointed committee OF
twenty, with Frank Stewart as charm an, to
visit all the shops in the city for the purpose
of reporting to the union the names of all
members who work in shops where the de-
mands have not been granted. The in
tention is to fine all such members SIS for
every day they work. This means that the
men are determined to fight the master
plumbers to the bitter end, and they claim
the assertions made by the masters, relative
to the dullness of trade, are not correct.
Consequently they feel confident of winning.
In the afternoon the Executive Committee
met, but no information could be gotten
from any of those present. Mr.. Stewart,
Chairman of the committee appointed at the
morning meeting, was seen, but he declined
to say anything about the movements of the
men. His manner indicated, however, that
the plumbers are firm in their demands that
an apprentice shall serve five years, three of
which shall be spent in carrying kit.
AS AN ILLUSTRATION.
One of tne iourneymen said: sThere are
two or three master plumbers who call them
selves sanitary engineers They have a
lot of boys that are put on a journeyman's
work at S., Sc or SS per week. The customer
is charged at the rate of S3 30 per day. Do
you see?"
An attempt is being made by some of the
master plumbers to force the journeymen to
give in, BY organizing the apprentices. A
meeting Of apprentices was held in the Office
of James Hay. in Allegheny, yesterday
afternoon. About 80 or 40 apprentices were
present and the purpose of the meeting was
to organize an apprentices association to
work in opposition to the journeymen. The
plan is for the boys to 60 into the shops
where the most pressing jobs are and get out
the work. The meeting had not adjourned
until their movements had been reported to
the journeymen. The latter Immediately
decided that all properly qualified worknen
shall be furnished with cards and the work.
men of other trades will be notified that
persons found working on buildings who
cannot show cards are not to be recognized,
and If the master plumbers attempt to work
the boys, all other trades will be pulled of.
The plumbers have the support of the trades
and all have agreed to work in conf unction.
MEETING OF THE MASTERS.
The master plumbers held meeting last
night at IS Fourth avenue. There were over
100 of them present, including large num-
Der who are not members of the association. 1t
was called as an open meeting purposely,
so as to get as large representation of the
employers as possible. 1t was decided to
stand firm against granting the demands of
the men. Jas. j. Kennedy, of Halpin, Ken
nedy & Co., presided, and George Sands |
acted as Secretary. The situation was dis |
cussed and those who are not members Of the |
han aea1.
being in sympathy with the |
stand the association had taken and |
quite a number signifed their intention of |
becoming members. A committee of eight |
was appointed to visit all master plumbers |
in the two cities and endeavor to induce all |
not to give in to the men and to persuade !
those who have given in to rescind their ac-
tion. Ghe committee Is divided. Two will |
visit the Southside, two the East End. two |
Allegheny and two the Old City. |
Samuel Arthurs. of West Diamond street,
of the men during the day, but his men had |
only worked half an hour when be told |
them he would withdraw his agreement and |
the men went out again.
ANOTHER ASSISTANT.
The plumbers have the support Of the |
steamftters. The latter will meet to-day to |
take action on the strike. It is becoming |
more apparent that all of the building
trades will be involved in strike before the
can be settled.
The timers strike remains the same.
The master timers met last night and de-
cided upon identically the same plan OF
action that the master plumbers did. They
met in the BuildeTs' Exchange and were in
session until nearly 11:30. Mr.. Rasner, of
Rasner & Dinger, said they had 72 firms
who would stand together in refusing the
demands of the men.
Local Union No. IL met in Rupple's
Hall. They decided to remain firm until
granted their demands Ne new firms had
signed the scale, and if the master timers
succeed in accomplishing their objects,
hose who have signed will reconsider their
action |