Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-05
A RIVAL N1THE FIELD.
Union Building Tradesmen Form a
Cooperative Exchange.
SOME MASTER BUILDERS IN 1T.
A Mammoth Glass Plant to Be Built for the
Worlds Fair.
MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIAL ITEMS

The meeting last night in knights of
Labor Hall, called for the purpose of
taking preliminary steps looking toward
the organization of builders exchange.
composed of members of tie building trades
unions, as a rival of the Master Builders
Exchange, was largely attended. 1t ac-
complished the object for which it was ar
ranged. There were Upward of 200 men
present, and considerable interest was man
ifested in the object
There were many familiar faces in the
crowd. Prominent among them was Agent
Swartz, of the Carpenters Council; J. G.
Snyder, also carpenter, and others
who figured prominently in the
recent strike. There was also a
small sprinkIing of ex-members of the Mas
ter Builders Exchange present, and this
was considered as the most significant feature
about the meeting 1t is said that some of
these are men who have either allowed
themselves to drop out of the Master Build
ers' Exchange because they were opposed
to Its policy, or had been suspended or ex-
PEELED for violation of its rules, and are
willing now to become affiliated with the
proposed exchange in order to aid in break
ing up, if possible, the practice the E1-
change members are alleged to have fallen
into, Of charging exorbitant prices for build
ing and controlling the sale of materials
AN ORGANIZATION EFFECTED.
A temporary organization was effected by
the election of P. S. Loveridge, Chairman,
and William Cody, Secretary. 1t is under
stood that the new exchange begins its ex-
istence with about 200 members and that from
the present it is prepared to take contracts
of any size and can guarantee the rapid
prosecution of the work, as no difficulty
material. Two or three supply
concerns were represented at this
meeting last night. One was the Union
Supply Company, organized since the strike.
Another was the Southside Supply Com
pany, represented by 81. F. Olnhausen, a
former member of the Master Builders Ex-
change. Mr. Olnhausen was seen last night
on his way home after the meeting had ad-
journed by DISPATCH reporter, to whom
he said: '1 have not made up my mind
yet whether or not will join the new ex-
change. But I am supply dealer and
will furnish them with all the materials
they want. was member of the Master
Builders Exchange, and probably would be
yet had the members of It not attempted to
run my business Aside from having an
interest in a supply company, do q large
contracting plumbing business. only put
the supply company in the Builders E1-
change, and when the strike occurred my
plumbers were willing to work under the
old rules; had a number of pressing con-
tracts on hands in the East End and went
ahead with my work.
A DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
'Members of the Exchange tried to die
tate to me, and I simply told them was
running my own business. No set of men
has the right to tie up building materials
and restrict building operations. These
union men have perfect right to organize
and take the contracts and if they are willing
to do it, they deserve the support and en-
couragement of the public and particularly
those who have become impatient waiting
for other contractors to finish up buildings
for them %
Mr.. Snyder was also seen, but he did not
care to say much about the new enterprise,
except that if it succeeds in accomplishing
what he expects it to, the cost of building
addition to preventing their sup
ply dealers to furnish materials
to any but exchange members, the E1-
change contractors are making exorbitant
bids Houses that cost $1,000 before Nay
1, are costing the builders $500 now, ac-
cording to Mr.. Snyder. ''The Master
Builders Exchange is the worst kind of a
trust, said he. '"They are determined that
the amount of work done and the material
sold shall be confined to their number
alone"
Committees were appointed last night to
draft plan for permanent organization
and another meeting will be held shortly to
the EXCHANGE