Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-05
Members of the Builders Exchange
Exhibit Their Ability to Com
pletely Tie Up City Work.
JOsLYN'S NEW THEATER DELAYED
The Exchange Specifies By Resolution
Wherein the Lockout Policy
Will Be Enforced.
JOURKEYMEE ARE GATHER JuBlLANT
a. u. svariI RspOrts That Eighteen New Firms Hsvs
GRANTED the Demands.

The Builders Exchange yesterday showed
how completely it has the building Interests
under control when it stopped work on
ALVIN Joslyn's new theater, which was to
have been completed at all hazards, whether
the prevailing strike were continued or not
At the regular meeting Of the Exchange
which was held in Lafayette Hall, the con-
tractor, who is a member Of the Philadel-
phia Exchange, said he was present to take
whatever position would best advance the
interests of the local builders. He was
quickly informed that If he wanted to do
anything in the interest Of the contractors
here, he would stop work on the new thea
ter. This be promised to do, and later in
the day carried bis promise into effect.
The meeting in Lafayette Hall was one OF
the largest of the kind ever held in the city.
Over 500 contractors were present. Presi-
dent Barnes was in the chair. About the
first business transacted was the appoint
ment of a press committee, which furnished
the following as a report of the proceedings:
Had to Hire a Large Hall.
This meeting was held in Lafayette Hall be-
cause the room in the Exchange Building was
too small. II was the regular monthly meet
ing After the transaction of the routine busi-
ness, the present strike came up for discussion
and the ball was started rolling by
a speech from Mr.. w. II. McCreerv, of
who addressed the Exchange, not only as
member of the body, bus als) as a large proper
ty-holder. He stated that he did not only rep
resent himself but other owners, whose posses
sions aggregate in number from l60 TO $50
houses, about 40 Of which are now urder course
of erection,
the position he had taken that before he would
grant the eight hours be would release his
contractors and allow his houses to stand un-
finished for his grandchildren and great
il had come to be not question with the
workmen and builders. but with the builders
and owners. of whom the latter are the most
greatly affected. If the eight hours are
granted all speculative building will stop. Even
now the work on large numbers of such
buildings has been stopped. The increased
cost that would be entailed by the granting of
the present demands, which would in the end
come out of the pockets OF the property holders
would be at least % per cent.
After Mr.. MeCreery had spoken various
speeches were made by the members and sew
eral suggestions were made all tending to CO.
hesion and solidity. The following was passed
unanimously:
Resolved, That the contractors and builders
and supply contractors of all character. and
all purchasers of supplies. stand by the supply
dealers, and that supply dealers stand by the
contractors
There was a perfect unanimIty of opinion
that eight hours should not be granted and
there was not a speech made that indicated
weakness
Pledged to Stand Out Firmly.
Outside of the above report furnished by
the press committee, it was learned that l5
of the largest planning mills 10 the two
cities were represented at the meeting and
each one present made an absolute promise
before the Exchange, thar they wnnld not sell
q foot of lumber or do any work until the
difficulty is settled. Six stone contracting
firms from Beaver county were present and
each one promised not to let any uore of their
material come into the city until after the
trouble is over. Several contractor. who have
been reported as having granted the demands
denied that they had done so. "A resolution was
unanimously adopted providing that on build
ings where the contracting carpenter grants the
eight hours the other trades are 10 be locked
out. This Is the only extent to which the lock-
out policy is to be enforced.
well-knOwn contractor stated after the
meeting adjourned that the members of the
Exchange were standing firm to q man, and
that there would not be a finch from the posi-
tion they have taken. There will be a meeting
to-day of a committee representing the master
builders, to prepare the list of demands upon
the men that was mentioned i'll The DISPATCH
few weeks ago. This list will contain pro-
posed change in the apprentice rules and pro-
vide for graded scale Of wages. There are
also several other matters which the bosses
want adjusted. winch will be included in the
list
Claims Made by the Carpenters.
The carpenters were jubiians yesterday.
When A. NJ. Swarrz. of their Press Committee,
was seen last night he gave out the statement
that Is firms had granted the eight hours, one
OF which was member of the Builders Ex-
change and had forfeited his fees in that or
gariZation. Mr.. Swar;z could not tell how
many men the Is firms employ, but one
be knew has 70 men on its pay
Inittee Mr.. Swartz issued a notice yes
1erday notifying all contractors granting
the demands, and all members of the brother
hood who want lumber or material of any kind,
that arrangements for the same may be made
with the committee having charge of this de-
partment At 5S7 Smithtield street.
Special Agent Irwin received the following
Telegram from Philadelphia Yesterday morn
ing in reference TO the alleged differences be-
tween the local district and the General Execu-
tive Board Of the Brotherhood:
PHILADELPHIA, Mays.
Notwithstanding reports TO the contrary the
United brotherhood will sustain the Pittsbure
carpenters in their present struggle. Hole firm
will come when wanted heep me advised as TO
the situation. r. j. MCGUIRE.
National Secretary.
The Bricklayers' Union met yesterday, and il
was reported that out of 725 men S75 are at
work. All apprentices in this trade were called
off yesterday. Some 500 quit Work on the
Kaufman building was also stopped.
A. L. Hough has granted the eight hours
and is now working ten men on the new Penn
sylvani2 Avenue Amusement Hall. 1t is ex-
pected now that the place will be completed
this week.
Special Agent Tenary, of the plasterers. SAYS
that the reports that workers of his craft on the
residences Of H. {. Frick and H. w. Oliver are
locked out are untrue. Work has been stopped
there, but it is because of scarcity of ma
teriSl.
No Change in the Strike at MeKeesport.
There is no change in the carpenters strike
at McKeesport. All of the union men are idle
with the exception of about half q dozen who
are doing unfinished work and are getting
their demands. The planning mills are all idle
Their owners say they will stand by the con.
tractors
Several conferences have been held between
the bosses and the officials of the Marble Cut
ueTs' National Union, but no agreement has
yet been reached. The contractors object to
any advance.
Arthur b. Smvth, President of the Marble
Critters Union, claims he is sill master of the
situation, and that he is determined to win his
fight. He says he has positive proof that GER
tain work nov coming 10 Pittsburg is convict
work. lie intimates his intention to declare a
battle of all trades in the building line in favor
of honest labor as against ''cut throats."
SOCIALISM ON THE soUTHsIDE.