Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-09
JUST A RAY OF HOPE
For the Bricklayers Who Have Been
on a Strike Since May.
QUAKER CITY MEN GOING HOME
The Trouble Caused by Differences Between
Two Organizations.
AN INTERESTING INSIDE STATEMENT

The striking bricklayers of this city, who
have been fighting for 45 cents an hour and
an eight-hour day since the first of last May,
have still hope of success, although their
defeat has long since been declared an ac-
complished fact. 1t is claimed that within
the past ten days 500 to 600 of the Philadel-
phia bricklayers who came here and took
the Jobs of the strikers, have gone back to
Philadelphia not to return. In connection
with their leaving the Philadelphia men
tell an interesting story as to the reason Of
their coming here during the strike. George
Shane and Jacob Poole, of No. 1908 Alder
street, Philadelphia. members of the Phila-
delphia Bricklayers' Protective Associa-
yesterday, tell the story. Both are intelli-
gent men and understand the situation as
we'll as their score of years in the trade has
enabled them to an understanding Of their
business.
''To begin at the beginning" said Shane,
who was spokesman for the pair, ''we
belong to the Bricklayers' Protective As
sociation, of Philadelphia, which owns a
whole block of business houses and dwell
ings on Broad street in that city, and is
acknowledged to be the most successful and
most prosperous trade organization in the
country. We have $500 members, the
Pittsburg union has only 700 or SO0 When
the strike was being considered IN Pittsburg,
the leaders of the Bricklays' Union here
came to Philadelphia and requested us to
Join in their organization.
Matter of Self-Protec.ion.
saThey had been but recently organized
and had nothing. We had been organized
for years and owned property worth many
thousands of dollars. Their proposition
would have given them an equal share in
what we had been many years in accumu-
lating. Naturally the proposition was re-
jected unanimously, but we made counter
proposition, offering to give the Pittsburg
Association an equal footing with US in
union affairs, but stipulating. that they
should not share in our accumulations in a
not seem to realize our strength, for they
refused to accept our offer.
"When they went out on strike we were
notified. They requested us not to inter-
fere, and we respected their wishes, not
withstanding manv of our men were out of
work. But one day it was learned that
crowd of the Pittsburg strikers had come
down to Philadelphia and had taken work
under our union prices with contractor
named William Smith. Soon afterward
other contractors had Pittsburg men. under
our prices and our union was ignored en-
tirely, both by contractors and Pittsburg
workmen.
''The Philadelphia Bricklayers' Associa-
tion does not bind its members, except by
special agreement outside of Philadelphia
county. Consequently when your men
came down there and took our bread and
hr,f puf of ho tvQr rot of fod hu
coming here. Some of us came under con-
tract. others came trusting to luck in get
ting work, and all came with the under
standing that we would get as good salaries
as we we're paid in Philadelphia, that is to
say, 81 per day for nine hours. We had not
asked for an eight-hour day there and did
not expect it here.
Why They Came to Pittsburg.
correspondence passed between the two
organizations which resulted in President
Campbell, of the Philadelphia body, COM
ing here to investigate and if possible ar
range an amicable agreement. When he
came he was treated badly and went back
disgusted His report to our council re-
Ieved our members Of any blame from COM
ing to Pittsburg.
"About 800 came, believe, and, of
course, when the Pittsburg contractors were
SupplleQ WIFI all tHc Heu UHey ueeOeu the
strikers here were knocked out. Myself
and Mr.. Poole came here in August after
being out of work at home for a long time.
We went to work for Mr.. Carr. who lives
on Overhill street, and the last work we
did for him was finishing house for John
NJ. Risher, at Dravosburg, which
we completed few days ago We
intended to remain for the winter, but hav-
ing learned that 500 or GOO Philadelphia
men ha, returned home within few days
on orders from headquarters, we are going
back to see what it means. We know we
can get work on the new Philadelphia and
Reading depot, and besides the builders
there continue operations all through the
winter and there is more likely to be work
there than here.
'sBut whatever may be the cause of the
Philadelphia men leaving, 1T is certain to
work to the benefit of the strikers, and 1
predict that before next spring the builders
will be compelled to grant their demands,
if they hold together that long"