The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-25
SUPPORT THE STRIKERS.
ACTION TAKEN BY THE IRADho
COUNCIL LAST NIGHT.
An Assessment of twenty-five Cents From
Each Union Man Is To be ESacted-Eesoiu-
,,o, IN Stand Tirm-Carpentcrs Go Out in IA


Machine Works yesterday could not have been
,sia 10 have been one of hurry and hustle but
<.,bor q strange calmnesss seemed to prevail
A few apprentice boys were at work. and the
hmm and buzz Of few machines could be
heard. but that life and activity which has Tor
solong pervaded the place was conspicuous by
its absence.
On the side of the branch next to he city
little groups of men were standing discussing
the situation. and vigilant committee we're
nosted on the bridge leading to the works that
none might pass or repass, except such as were
duly qualified without being informed as to the
There was no sign Of excitement whatever and
all talked in a very conservative manner
Standing firm, hoping, but almost tearing 10
expect avery early settlement OF the GilhcuNeS'
WITHIN WEEK.
Some. however. were brave enough TO assert
thatlthey thought the trouble would 10 shoo'h-
ed over within a week. m
The men say that they are willing to arbitrate
or act on any concession that the company may
make. but that they Will insist that sIaP lao"l
shall not be used on work requiring skilled men,
The management of the works show no dlslo-
sifjon 10 give in AT all and the decision OF the
general manager have been sustained ~
the board of directors.
4 committee was appointed yesterday 70 wait
on Mr. Davis with view OF assertalnlng II nc
was willing 70 leave the matter III the hsnds OF
pointed by each side but he refused to recon
slider his former decision.
One Of the men said last night that the men
had no idea of retrcating from their position,
The time was. he said, when capital could
have said 10 labor. IF you don't chose TO WORK
for us on our terms you T p na,I g 10 so we'll
organized that II Is hard for capital TO stand
successfully against H."
CAUSE OF THE STRIKE.
A TlMEs representative YESTERDAY talked win
Mr.. " II. Hansford, who IS the innocent cause
of all the trouble.
He is twenty-five years old. and dressed in his
greasy suit of blue Oyeralls, would hardly nave
been suspected Of stopping nearly all tine Work
In and about the largest iron establishment IN
the city or of throwing very large number OF
men ont Of employment.
Mr. Hansford has been AT work AZ the present
place for something over year, and he sad
that before commencing work there be was in
the Chesapeake and Ohio railway shops Tor
He saws il is true that his name does not ap-
pear on the books of that companya ms an appren-
iice hut that he was fully under the impression
until Just before he left there that he was an
apprentice and that he was given every oppor-
tunity 10 learn the trade.
In other words. he holds that ne is not COM
mon lahOrer, but that he has served nearly MS
Mr. c. a. Delaney the assistant snpcrinten,
dent, says that when ne employed HIM he ana
not consider HIM labOrcr, but told him ne
would pay him according, TO his worth, and that
after having tried him be was given Sl.15 per
day. while laborers only received si.25.
When he was put on a certain machine the
machnists considered that their rights were
being usurped by allowing non,union man 10
run the machine, and demanded his removal
which was refused. Thus the whole trouble.
OFFERED To RESIGN.
Mr. Hansford offered to resign his place when
be saw the turn of affairs. but the company III
sisted on his continuing 10 worl, for them.
The men hold that Hansford has not served as
an apprentice or sufficient length of time at
the trade TO make him eligible TO membership
Their constitution provides that man must
serve four years apprenticeship or must have
worked at the trade four years before he can be
allowed To join
The assistant superintendent said yesterday
that Hansfords work gave him complete sals-
faction and that he considered him as good a
machinist as some OF those who quit work.
The works have as yet employed very few
new men. and for that reason the men feel en-
couragec
CARPENTERS 90 OUT.
All of the men employed in the carpenter
shop AT the works went out yesterday al noon.
a. did three of the men employed on the new
boiler shop now IN course OF erection.
This action Is in sympathy with the movement
started by The trades unions on Sunday after
There is hardly any doubt that there will be Il
general strike by next Saturday. as the EN-
plOyes are firm in their determination, and the
management u determined not TO yield 10 them.
At 10 O'Clock yesterday there was general
meeting Of the strikers in Odd-Fellows Hall.
Inc attendance was very large, about double as
many men being present as were at Monday
meeting,
The session lasted until $50 O'Clock The Re-
port from the Committee on Ways and Means
was very gratifying To the men.
Promises of financial AID were received from
many sources In fact, the money side Of the
question was said 70 be far more favorable than
when the strikers were promised help. If II was
needed from many trade unions.
The men determined TO remain firm in their
demands and 70 stand by each other until the
strike Is ended
After the general meeting adjourned the Ma
chinists' Union met IN executive session. The
doors were closely guarded
1t was understood several matters OF detail
were being considered, but nothing of a char
tcter 10 give out for publication
TRADES COUNCIL.
The meeting Of tho Trades Council last night
in Wilkinson Hall was one of the most enthusi.
astic ever held and was very largely attended
there being representatives from ever Union OF
organized trade in the city.
They were in session until nearly midnight
but the business was conducted IN very quiet
and orderly manner.
One OF the members said that the speechc.
made were surprisingly conservative, and the
members seemed very liberal in their view,
and that all extreme measures were fully dis.
couraged' although great tirmness was shown
and all expressed themselves as fully deter
mined TO insist on what they hold TO DO their
rights.
The council was presided over by its presi
Council.
They recommended that each union in the
city levy an assessment Of twenty-five cents or
every member TO 20 TO the support Of the strik
This was unasked for by the men who are ont
and Will be IN addition to the funds which the,
are now depending on.
As Is known this council is composed OF
members representing every organized trade
1850 10 5000.
This will give them funds to prolong the fight
anu enable them TO pay the men nearly as much
as they would receive were they al work.
~, Inc council also advised a continuation OF
the strike; requested all union men TO amt
work IN every department by Saturday AZ moon
unless conceSslons are made before that time
stahdlng committee of five OH arbitration
was appointed not only to do what they coulI
IN the case OF the Locomotive Works but 10 eX.
SiVise ihclr power whenever in the future II
should become necessary
committee OF nineteen, one from each
union IN the city, was appointed 10 visit tbo
brlcklaSers Union and endeAvor 10 induce All
.lich!aYsIS III me city 10 JOIN, as the union vii
have 10 disband next Saturday night M Fllstt
HAL unless their forces are increased
hother committee OF nineteen was APPOINTED
20 arrange LOT general trade mass meeting II
be held at Old Market Hall on about April All
nnete business OF much importance will b,
Almost every mechanic spoken 10 yesterda,
10y LINES reporter felt certain that they woui,
WIN sooner or later, and expressed q hone tina
thS matter might soon be amicably adjusted
,ihere VIII DO meeting of the MachiSists
Hall W wv '''0"'
Gone to Lynchburg
Policeman Hall left yesterday for Ivnchbnr,
With /. q. Roberts and Rose Lloyd In charge. VIII
were turned over by Police-JuStice Crutchfel,
10 be tired IN that city for unlswfplly iv,ng -
"a "a mo. a.. L.. IL. -