Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-03-27
GROWINGN NUMBER.
THE BLAcxSMITHS JOIN M THE
LoccMoTivE-WoRKs STRIKE.
Boiier-Makers to Quit work To-McErew
at Noon--Neither side yielding--
Another Statement.

Joined In the strike, the biacksmlths INV
ing stopped work at half-past IA o'clock
yesterday.
The withdrawn men now comprise the
machinists. carpenters, mouiders, and
blacksmiths, The only ones left besides
the laborers and helpers are the boiler
and pattern-makers.
The former have determined to 60 out
at noon tomorrow. and il is more than
probable that the latter will follow,
making the strike general
Neither side shows any sign of yielding,
and it now appears that il IL just ques..
ton of endurance as to which side Will
win.
porLER-MAxEns WILL STOP.
The largest meeting OF the strikers vet
held was at the Odd-Fellows' Hall at III
O'Clock yesterday morning..
A committee from the boiler-makers en-.
ployed at the Locomotive Works appeared
and asked on behalf Of themselves and as
sociates il the strikers desired them ~
quit work and expressed the intention OF
abiding by the decision OF the meeting.
The matter was discussed about two
hours. and by unanimous vote the boiler
makers were asked to stop work at noon
tomorrow.
IL was not deemed advisable to call them
out sooner. "a they work by the piece and
IL would seriously inconvenience them TO
stop before that time. when their accounts
for the week can be adjusted.
This will stop the work on the large tank
at the new City Hall, which is being put up
by the Locomotive-Works Company.
DLAcKsMrHs ARE OUT.
While the meeting was still in progress
q detail from the Vigilance Committee APP
peared and stated that the blacksmiths had
just gone out at 1890 o'clock.
A committee from the striking machinists
waited on the Blacksmiths' Union at
Wednesday nights meeting, and after
stating their. position and the reasons
that caused them TO strike, the organ
ization, as reported in the DIsPArcH.
expressed its sympathy with their brother
workmen, but left the matter entirely to
the men concerned.
Early yesterday morning the black
smiths appointed a committee to wait on
General Manager Davis and invite him TO
appear before the men. This he did a
short while after his arrival, but the result
of the interview was not satisfactory to the
men. and when dinner-hour came they put
down their tools not to take them up again
for the present.
ASKING FOR AID.
a
batch of circulars TO the unions of that
trade throughout the country. They pre-
sent in full their side of the case and ask
for financial aid in carrying on the fight.
One OF the officials of the Locomotive
Works Company last night told DISPATCH
reporter that the strike as IL now stands is
purely a matter of time. Numerous appli-
cations. he said for work were being re-
ceived from all over the country. The
company had no intention OF weakening,
and would not shut down the works even
If every man went out.
Manifesto of the Striking Machinists.
The following paper, fully explaining the
attitude of tho striking machinists. was
brought TO the DISPATCH yesterday tor
publication:
The grievance Of the machinsts at the Rich
mond Locomotive and Machine-Works and
against which We struck last week Is no new
thing. 10 has been the cause OF more disputes
I'm tho past between man aud master than any
other Even questions OF wages and working
hours are secondary 10 IL. But happily both In
Europe and tho porthern and western states OF
this country IL has been 30 successfully fought
that IL no longer obtains.
In explanation therefore OF this grievance we,
the striking machinists, issue this manifesto
viz:
In full confidence Of obtaining justice, not only
In the final decision Of our cause, but also from
present pu',llc opinion, we hereby fearlessly
mako this statement IL II conceded 10 all in-
dyduas In all civilized countries that tvs right
| to tealously guard their property IN their most
sacred duty, and In the exercise Of this dnty
every man II ready and willing 10 lay down his
life, and Ia so doing receives the appreciation oil
all mankind.
THEIR TRADE THEIR PROPERTY.
Therefore, how much more does the sense OF
this duty deyolve upon us whose trade or handi-
craft Is our only property and our only means OF
" oh "a dpfanf
Other property h obtained in many cases
easily. Not 30 with our trades. To master the
knowledge OF our professions there are long
days OF toll 10 master the practical part long
nights Of study for the theoretical and expense for
the necessary books whereby we may keep pace
with the ever-changing phases OF our occupation.
Many of US whose heads time II fast frostlng over
can remember the bitter struggle OF our nppren-
tice-days when, as poor mems cons, We went TO
learn or trades, were worked beyond our
strength, with no recreation, no friends, insufi-
cient food and clothos-nothing but hope. Yet
from our pitful apprentice plttance we managed
10 scrape enough 20 pay for tuition that has en-
abled us to thus far keep honest men.
THE woRKMAS's REWARD.
But have we thus reaped all the reward7 Has
the struggle Of our youth been repaid To US
alone? Arc we the only ones that receive the
benefits OF our experienced
The difference between the miiIlonaire's palace
and the workman's bOyei IL n fitting answer.
But still, the knowledge, the experience, and
the skill that We have acquired at our calling Is
our property and VIC have the right 10 guard IL
as the apple OF our eye. BY 10 we live, and all
that we hold dear IL retained % In this world.
Would wo not be worse than towards 10 tamely
submit and sec tho lrst blow struck that would
rob us OF the Just rewards Of our lnbors. Could
we look upon the statues of your immortal Wash
ington and Incompatible Lee and feel no shame
II stood tamely by and let our little all, small
though II be, be tampered with by any one!
We would certainly loose our own seif-respect
and tie respect Of allright-thinking individuals.
Another phase Of tho question IL this: At the
present time many youths are learning the trade
whose parents are In good circumstances and
who cheerfully stand the expense OF making
their sons machinistr. What are these people
70 think II the methods that are sought 10 be
thrust upon us obtainf Il all their trouble and
expense 10 be repaid by the thought that when
their son has honorably completed his appren-
ticoship that ho viii be brought into competition
with common day-laborers, and they have paid
for itf IL then stands thus: The son has the
trade the "scab has the work, and the parents
have had the expense.
BETTER LABOR, LARGER PROFITS.
No man learns tho machinist's business solely
for his own benefit.
The cost OF machine-works IL 80 great as 70
preclude all thought Of any Iourneyman ma
chnist starting business on his own behalf, 40
that whether tourneyman, foreman, superin-
tendent, or manager, he IL in the capacity OF q
servant, and as all shop-0wners are business.
men they employ thoir men for proht, not for
luxury. To argue any thing other than this Is
chlldishness.
IL therefore being the case, II follows that tho
more skilful the servant the greater the profit 10
the master. We contend, aud we feel certain that
the directory et the Locomotive Works viii agree
with US that the higher we place the qualifica-
tions OF o machinlst the moro profit there Is 10
them from the mechanics work. To elevate
our status Is our aim, 70 be more pro-
ing, and are ready TO suffer any
sacrifice 10 keep it from being debased. We 90
not presume 20 advise the directory at the LO-
wisest OF men that we would like 70 cali their
attention 20. IL IA this;
"There Is that scattereth, yet increaseth.
There Ia that which withhoideth more than Is
meet, yet tendeth TO poverty"
PRESS COMMITTEE.