The evening world., 1891-05-11
FIGHT FOR LUMBER.
Dealers Association Begins the War 10
Lift the Unions Boycott,
Chances of a General Building
Trades Paralysis.
Many Dealers Stay Out OF tho Com
bine-The Unions Tactics.


lndividuas and nrms belonging 10 the
Lumber Trade Association took the nrst steps
this morning In the threatened lockout ami
boycott which, II IL asserted VIII wholly para
I've ana tie up all building operations In this
city and lis Wcinity.
ABOUT =, 6CU union employees iound tne doors
OF the yafds smut in thelr races to-day. 1heir
employers tod them that ther nuat expect,
al the very least, wceK's.ehforced ioltnes.
Ihis actlon mas been rrecipltated by the de-
termination OF the Lumber Trade Association
TO force the Board OF Walking Delegates OF the
building Trades section OF the central Labor
Ihloh 10 RAISE hs boycott on 'he yards OF
CharIes f. bucki at lhifleehlh street ana
Nor'h h'Ver' ln h"poken'
10 accomplish th's' the members OF the AS
ISOLATION VIII, II Is said. stop the delivery OF
mherto ah ouildlngs where union men are
employed. Ihey VIII refuse TO give credit TO
or nave BUSINESS dealings win lumber mer-
cnants VINO DO sell iumoer TO contractors or
hrms engaged on oul'dinRs where union men
are efnpioVeu: ana ou'-o'-to"h iuihoer dealers
VINO m y attempt 70 supply any such buildings
Will be made 10 feel the displeasure OF the AS
socia'ion.
In many respects twill be seen, this move
ment resembles that OF the brick manufaciur-
ers a year ago; only that q lumber famine will
completely stop work on not only buildings
inst begun, but on those where the 1tiings
and furnishings are needed to complete the
structures.
There Is very much difference of opinion as
TO the effectiveness Of this method of labor
warfare. The union workmen strongly aflirm
their determination and ability TO protect the
union lumber handlers and other worEmen IN
volved. The Walking Delegates profess no
fear OF the Associations declaration OF war,
and cite the failare OF previous similar move
rents.
On the other hand, the attitude OF the big
builders is graphically set forth by John d.
Crimmins, who has some Of the largest build
ing contracts on hand In the trade. To a re-
porter Mr. Crimmns sad:
CONTRACTOR CRIMMINs's PROPHECIES.
can the builders are in hearty accord with
the dealers, and are determined to stand by
them. Most of us have always been on friendly
terms with the unions, but what can we ac-
complish when they are so unsettled among
themselves. 1t is about time TO call halt.
"lhe unions have been running things with
too high hand OF late. Many OF the men are
perfectly satisfied with their lot, out seem 10
be afraid OF their organizations.
" The builders VINO will be the first and per-
haps the only ones to suffer are the speculative
buildera These men erect buildings without
contract, and are dependent for their supply
OF lumber upon their credit with dealers. II
their supply Is cut OF they are practically
helpless.
"There are about one hundred Of these who
do business to any extent, and they employ
about fifteen thousand men. II the boycott Ia
only partially successful, all these men will be
forced out OF work.
| 'Nearly all the regular builders who do con-
tract work have more or less lumber In stock,
which they have Kept for Just such an emer-
Rency.
'Just before the brick boycott last Fail
stored away several cargoGs of brick, and when
the boycott was at its height had all that
needed. have large supply OF lumber In
stock at the present moment, and II l want
any OF II tomorrow all have 10 do Is TO send q
Team over TO ietch II.
'The men ought to select clear-headed
committee to confer with the dealers and settle
the matter by arbitration. They will probably
do that eventually, but 1t will save lot OF
Time and money II they come down step ai
once.
1.-THE dealers, II they stick together, will
not give In. 1t is only in case OF split among
them that there ID any danger OF weakening.
As for breaking up the unions, i believe It IL
Impossible. Those men would sooner starve
'hah desert their unions. There are many
housesm'ths VINO got 81 q day before the strike
and VINO are now working on the excavations
along Broadway for 81 a'day rather than turr
scab,' as they call IT,"
CHAIRMAN DECKER Is sANGUINE.
The Lumber Dealers Association has estab
hshed headquarters In the Wells Building,
IL broadway. The Associations arairi
are IN the hands OF the Executive
committee. comprising A. I. Decker, chair
man; W. G. Schuyler John Il. Sleeves. j, 4.
| Ioom,s and G. T. Rucs
, ~ -
Ihs committee VIII meet every day. There
| Will pc q meeting OF the Association Weanes
aay
10y.
CHAIRMAN Decker said this morning tina
| everything had opened well az far Az he coult
| s.o S,,o,o, % ,ho ,,,..,, .., ,., 49,.
W Wv '"'Ne'' '"' "au 'e'e
phoneu tne committee that they had put IL
force the agreement made with the Associa
uon
ABOUT lorty men struck In my yards thi
morning, " said Mr. Decker ..becauRe conlf
-, 60. a.. a.. ,..... '. a., -. =.