The morning news., 1891-02-01

/ deOate upon the trade scGooi question in
the coming convention
but the most interesting Of all the sub
/ jects 10 be considered is arbitration. This
matter has been, for the past year, under
/ consideration by the following committee:
J. Milton Blair. Cincinnati Anthony lit
\ ner. ST. Louis; George c. Prussing, Chicago;
/ Marc Eidletz, New York, and David A.
/ Woelpper, Philadelphia A report has been
/ prepared for the convention, and, whatever
may be its nature, there is no doubt that It
/ will be warmly debated
Tue subject Is intricate. In the first
/ place the association recognizes and encour-
ages the formation by workmen Of trades
unions with a central body. 1t also claims
/ similar right Of organization. Given,
/ then, the two kinds of organizations, shall
arbitration be the means by which in gen.
eral disagreements shall be settledl II so,
what are proper questions for erbitrationf
| How shall the joint board Of arbitration be
formsdl
The association is not unit ON the first
Of these questions. 1t will probably be de-
bated; and among the champions on either
side will be Mr. Sayward of Boston and MIR.
McAllister Of Cleveland. The former is in
clined TO look vita favor upon any reason
able plan Of arbitration; the latter is
! Scotchman vita plenty OF fight in him, and
he objects to dictation.
The association will probably recommend
some plan OF arbitration to the several ex-
| changes. 1t can do no more. There is 10
provision for enforcing action. Hitherto,
| however. the orders formulated in the gen.
eral convention have had widespread and
important effect.
AS to the proper subjects for arbitration
had conversation with an officer of the
association, who told me that as a general
rule the builders granted the workmen the
right to decide for themselves the question
OF hours and pay. This was not matter
for arbitration. In the same way, the
builders assert, the question of employing
or discharRing this or that man, is a matter
for the bosses" to decide and should not
come before the board of arbitration. Such
an arrangement, if agreed upon by masters
and Workmen, would seem to amount to a
permanent arbitration upon certain ques>
tions
As to the constitution of the board the
gentlemen to whom have referred thought
the standing committee of the exchange
would answer as its representative to meet
similar body from the trades union.
A paragraph from the associations decla-
ration o. principles may be interesting as
showing the general ground it takes and as
indicating to the sociologist whether any
form Of arbitration is likely to be recom-
mended which will diminish the number of
strikes in the building trades, so frequent in
the last few years.
l. This association affirms that absolute
personal independence of the individual to
work or not to work, to employ or not to
employ, is fundamental principle which
should never be questioned or assailed; that
upon 1t depends the security of our whole
social fabric and business prosperity, and
that employers and workmen should be
equally interested in its defense and preser-
walton. While upholding this principle as
an essential safeguard for all concerned,
this association would appeal TO employers
in the building trades to rec cgnize that
there are many opportunities for good in
associations of workmen; and while con-
demnlng and opposing improper action
upon their part, they should aid and assist
them IN all just and honorable purposes.
That while, upon fundamental principles
1t would would be useless to confer or ar
bitrate, there are still many points upon
which conferences and arbitration are per-
fectly right and proper, and that upon such
points it is manifest duty to take advan-
tage Of the opportunities afforded by asso-
Citations to confer together. to the end that
strikes, lockouts and other disturbances
may be prevented. When such confer
ences are entered into, care should be taken
to state clearly. in advance, that this fun
damental principle must be maintained. and
that sucn conferences should only be COM
lutions of recommendation to the individu-
ais composing the various organizations
participating, avoiding all forms of dicta-
torial authority.
In preparing to receive the visiting m em-
bers OF the craft, the New York Mechanics
and Builders Exchange has been assis ted
by the Building Trades Club, an organiza-
tion which is the only one OF its kind In the
country. OF course the club members are
nearly all members of the exchange, but the
club as body acts Independently. 1t has
handsome rooms at No. 20 East Twenty
first street, and these will be prepared for
the reception of the visiting builders. Among
the interesting things which they will see
there-exclusive of a frst-rate lunch-will
be fine collection of photographs of all the
principal buildings In the city. The hand
some, well~lighted room now used for bill
lard playing. will include both the lunch
and the Photographic exhibition.
No doubt the visi tors will vote unani-
mously that that the Building Trades Club is
great institution, even as it stands,
though it is nothing TO what it will be if its
ambitious designs are carried out-and
there is no reas IN to doubt that they will
be. The club is negotiating for the lease of
new home which one of the members told
me was now "palatial residence When
they get it they will fit it up in a manner
we'll fitted to supply both business and So
cial needs. The first floor will be used for
business purposes. There will
be opportunities for conferences
between men engaged in diff
ferent departments of building work;
between contractors and sub-contractors, for
instance Stenographers and typewriters
will be furnished by the club, and all sorts
of documents can thus be speedily prepared.
On the floors above will be tue rooms for
social purposes; the cafe and parlor. 1t is
an institution likely to be duplicated, or at
least initiated in other large cities by and
by. Its membership is drawn exclusively
from those actively engaged in building
work. 1t has been in existence only year
and half, but is already an assured sue
cess
The club talks shop" and is not ashamed
of it. Within its walls one hears nothing
but discussions upon subjects relating to
building
''The chappies in the clubs on the avenue
talk clothes and society,"" said a member to
me, land the athletic club men talk slug
ging and rowing. Our conversation is
little more solid, that's ALL The club has
do7e great deal in introducing builders to
each ether socially. Men who have been
bidding against each other and doubtless
hating ca en- other for years, meet here, and
learn that they're both good fe lows after
all" HOWARD FIELDING.
How Gen. Hooker Got His Charger.
"C9an Ranks' story ahout his war charuar