The sun., 1891-05-01
MAY l IN THE METROPOLIS.
THE HOUSEsaII7HS HAVE THE ONLY
SERIOUS STRIKE ON HAND.
That May Interrupt Buiidins and Involve
Other Building Trsdes-A Strike OF
Frnmcrs which IL Likely Not to Last.

That May InterruPt Huiidins and Involve
Other Building Trsdes-A Strike of
Framers which IL Likely Not to Last.
A year ago to-day the chiefs OF q mighty
organization composed OF over half o million
work people decided to reduce by force. as II
were, the hours OF labor that one trade had
been accustomed to follow for years past The
trade that was selected was the carpenters.
and the movement was for eight hours. The
struggle between the carpenters and thoir
employers was flerce one but wherever the
latter made q determined resistance the men
lost. When the fight was over the chiefs
looked over the field and decided that the
victory though only a small ono. was still q
victory. and that tho defeats were due to the
lack OF preparation. Then. with the advantage
OF experience, they began to prepare another
trade for a similar battle.
This time the miners were selected, and for
whole year the work OF organizing the men
was carried on. What the result was THE
Sun told a fow days ago.
On the eve OF the battle tho men hesitated,
deliberated. and finally the plan was aban-
doned. This. In few words, is the history Of
the eiGht.hour movement up to datc
May has become tho holiday OF this move-
mont. and although its celebration In q festive
spirit is confined to those unions that are con-
nected with the American Federation OF Labor;
the local assemblies OF tho Knights of Labor
and other Independent organizations look
upon It rs anroper day on which TO move for
new advantages.
In this city some OF the unions In the build
Ing trades made demand for eight hours four
and even five months ago. Among these were
the bricklayers. the painters, and tho marble
cutters. The former have IN Independent or
Ranization. aud by amicaLle agreement with
tie master masons will work only eight hours
beginning to-day. The painters belong to the
Knights Of Labor. and month ago 1000 Of
were were won an and this trade Is now we we'll Started on
the oight-hour day The % marble cutters also
s M as
Now COMES trade which failed TO secure a
means. and which By trying to sniorcs aH It's de- de-.
mands VII haye .he , only impertant Ti strike that
smtp or w:rhsrs are
s dsy nader
ascerta q the position the owners would take
eae Wages M made VIE T6e 9ssus sas
Ts sS sak "ad To r1sns i h &ssna ss
il was decided W to demand tho reduction with. III.
T1 9sav q each shGD made
Il wsfs
was Impossible last night 10 gather any def
mite idea OF the result Of the demand, It was
learned. however that the firms that supply
eew eew Criminal Court. our. I IHo1se; Dusro,s Hotel.
Hotel. Thirty-third street and Fifth avenue:
Bennett building. Nassau and Fulton streets.
demand.
honsssmiths employed on these buildings WIN
Ss c
Cornell ,Iaa refused ths demand.
every msmbSr OF the craft in town. Besides
nnions eonneoted with ths building trades of
fully 5000 men Willbe out on strike. Then.
In TWO or three days after the housesmiths
have stopped work, the brcklayers WILL DO
to employ non-unIon men. every carpenter
strike. A..
begins is thst q Ths Franz
erst Union demanded 46 cents an hour in place
OF 40 cents Many Of tho employers. were
sign an ironolad agreement to that effect. As
the men insisted, on the agreement, no head
way was made. although the matter has been
81 Ss sSs me Is
expected that the strike will not last long.
There win be no @ general pHaae ae The
Rutgers square and march all over the east
side. They will include the cloakmakers, cap
makers. shirtmakers. talors. Jacket makers.
snd n q'hsr oeIoei secass tradss Unions
will start from their headquarters In the vari-
Gus parts OF the c1ty and march to Union
square. where at o'clock a mass meeting will