Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-27
A STONE CUTTERS STRIKE.
Men Go Out Because q Nom Union Man IL
Employed to Hun Steam Planer.

Men Go Out Because a Non-Union Man is
Employed to Hun . Steam Planer.
This morning between fifteen and twenty
stonecutters who are employed at the works
ofthe Washington Steam Stone Company, LIST and
M streets northesst went out on a strike. and now
the work at the yard is practically at stand
still, as only the four apprentice boys and one
or two laborers are at work. The strike was
caused by the introduction of steam power
into the works. and the fact that the man who
is employed to handle the big steam plane that
runs through stone like chisel through putty
is neither q stonecutter nor a member Of the
union.
When the men went to work this morning
they found tackled up on the shed the following
notice, unsigned, but written under a letter
head of the Stonecutters' Union:
The following resolution was passed at
meeting of this date: Moved, that stonecutter
must be employed to work the planer in the
steam works when it Is started.
When they saw this Harry Goodwin, the fore
man, and his men at once laid down their tools
and refused to go to work. though some of
them said that personally they were willing to.
but that they must stand by the order Of the
union.
WHAT Mn. HAYES SAYS.
Mr.. John Hayes. the secretary and treasurer
OF the company, said to a STAB reporter today
that the first intimation Of trouble he had was
the sight Of this notice and Of the men standing
around idle. The company has recently put in
new steam saw. planer and smoother, all expen-
sive and complicated machinery. The planer
started to work three days ago and the saw
went through big piece of sandstone
last evening for the first time. The
planer was at work today and Mr.. Hayes said
that the man who was working it was an ex-
perienced machlnist whom he had brought
from New York.
1T is not stonecutter's work." said Mr.,
Hayes. FOR the man never raises a mallet nor
touches chisel. But told my men this morn
ing that il they could furnish stonecutter who
could run the machine 1 was willing to
let him do it, or if any Of them wanted
the job to 60 ahead. They declined and soon
after that left the yard i don't see what else
can do. am willing to take any man they
may furnish, only an inexperienced man
must give bonds for the damage he may
do our machinery. l must keep the
machinist, too, for if any break should occur
90 you think stonecutter could repair it?
1t leaves us in a bad way, at this time
plenty Of non-union men, but don't want
them. have always been on the best of terms
with the union and don't think they have
acted fairly by us this time
PRECEDENT sHEA's SIDE.
President Shea Of the union gave the STAR
reporter their side of the story. He says that
the planer does the work of ten stonecutters
and it is only fair that stonecutter should
be the one to get paid for run
ming it. He said that the man
who is running 1t now is not skilled machin-
ist but laborer at s1.25 day. working all
sorts Of hours, while the stonecutters get S3 60
for an eight-hour day. He said Mr.. HAYES had
told him that he could teach any man
to run the machine in fifteen minutes;
that he would teach laborer, but was unwill-
ing to teach stonecutter. Notice was given TO
the firm over two weeks ago that the demand
OF the men would be enforced. Mr..
Shea said that stonecutters are needed
on s.. the stone work before and
after it goes into the planer, and it is only fair
that a stonecutter should have the running Of
a machine that takes away the salary from the
men.
A special meeting of the Stonecutters' As
sembly will be held this evening at Sbea's Hall,
when 1t is thought some sort of q compromise
will be arranged.