The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-09
The LUMBER EMBARGO LIFTED
The Desperate Labor Struggle al ldS'
Comes TO an End.
THE CAUSE AND EFFECT OF THE TlE-UP'
s.,,on. Under which the Lumber Trade
Association Decides to open i"e"
yards-HIstory of the Trouble.
NEW YoKx BUREAU, RICHMOND lines ss,,


After six weeks of the most curious LABOR
strnpeIe that has ever occurred IN TINS vicin-
INV the lumber embargo was lifted to-day.
Tho Lumber Trade Association decided TO
open their yards in accordance with the fol
lowing resolutions adopted last Saturday
Resolved. That the members Of this associ-
alton open their yards on Monday, June Sth'
as non-union yards, that is to say. yards
which do not employ members Of some trade
unions or other labor organizations TO the ex-
clusion of all others seeking employment
and that the secretary of this association be
and is hereby directed to notify the members
of this association to so open their yards ana
resume business on Monday. june oth.
Resolved. That a committee OF hye oe
elected By the association TO propose plan OF
organization TO protect any member or TINS
association who shall suffer by boycott dl-
rected against him by the employment tnon-
union workmen.
CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE.
This result leaves the fight in almost the
same condition as when it started six weeks
AGO According to a member OF the Lumber
Handler Union the whole trouble with the
Dealers Association arose through buchl a
Co. not keeping the agreement made year
ago to pay the men $l2 week. Inc nIm
had only paid the men Sli week, ana hehce
the difficulty. By thus paying less wages
than the stipulated rate, Mr.. Buch was en-
abled to undersell his competitors IN the luil-
Der business. In the discussion ana CORE
spondence that have taken place the real issue
has been overlooked, said this man. but II
must come to the surface before any settle-
ment will be made. Buchl's men VIII onIy
return to work at the stipulated wages OF $lZ
week.
WHAT THE DEALERS SAY.
This view does not correspond with the
statement made by the Dealers Association.
They state that the charge against Buchls
ward was a subterfuge TO conceal n concerted
attack on the general trade by the Handlers
and Truck Drivers Unions. These organlza'
tions, they claim, have for some time past
lnterfered with the conduct 81 business al the
different lumber-yards. AS soon as the boy
colt of Buchis yard was declared the lumber
dealers determined 10 adopt the successful
tactics of the brick manufacturers last year,
and form q confederation OF building material
dealers 10 resist trades-unlOn interference N
the conduct of private business. Byconcerted
action the lumber dealers informed the board
of walking delegates Of the building trades
that unless the boycott on the Buck yard
was Immediately removed general tle-up OF
all the lumber-yards would be ordered. HE
board Of walking delegates paid no attention
10 this warning, and the result was the luIn-
Der embargo which for over month mas
brought enforced dleness 10 the hundreds OF
men employed in handling lumber.
ALL THE TRADES SUFFERED.
As an indirect consequence all the trades
engaged in building operations had 10 sui1er
for want of material and it is estimated from
10000 to 100000 mechanics were personally
affected by this enforced idleness Some
S3000,000 of capital was represented IN the
lumber dealers combination. Several at
tempts have been made 10 break
the deadlock, but without success rs
the lumber dealers insisted on an
unconditional surrender on the part OF the
walking delegates. Last Thursday however,
the Boss Trainers Union determined to sup
port the dealers. Under this arrangement the
resolution 10 open the yards to-day with nom
union labor was determined upon. This VIII
enable the dealers 10 once more send out ma
terial but they will force builders TO handle
the boycotted lumber byrefusing 10 deliver any
other to those who will not handle the for
hidden material. The board Of walking dele.
gates will have too big a contract TO fall If
they attempt 10 order strikes in all the build
ings where non-union lumber might be de-
liyered. They will confine themselves. there
fore. 10 the first point Of attack. and once
more follow up the boycott Of the lumber
from Buchi's yard
II this succeeds they will proceed in detail
against other dealers who employ non-unon
labor.
CHANCES OF SUCCESS SMALL.
Their chances of success however. are small,
as this strike. rs in most other Instances here.
has resulted in a victory for the largest purse.
Not only Ill this city, but at every
point whence lumber was shipped did
the lumber dealers secure assistance
by preventing the sending of mate
rial here The Nova Scotia yards entered
the combination, and n dispatch from Bangor,
Me. says: The lumber boycott in New
York has had au important effect on business
here. and there is a great dullness among the
lumber-dealers. They are making no ship
ments according 10 the agreement which
Bangor and st. John dealers made TO the ef-
feet a few days ago. Only a very little lumber
is being sawed by the mills in this vicinity
Several vessels are lying idle in the harbor for
want of lumber freights."
DANGEROUS SETTLEMENT
All the old handlers went back 10 work to-
day as soon a. the yards were open. City
builders are not interested IN the rival claims
of victory They want to know if a settle
ment win be reached by which they can get
promptly all the lumber they want.
The outlook does not satisfy them by any
means. Ii is all but certain that with union
and non-union men in the yards there will be
another and more serious rumpus before long.
The union men are likely, now that they have
been taken back, to insist on the discharge OF
the 'scabs."
In that event it will become union ques-
ton, and the building trades are ready to sup
port the handlers. II the non-union men are
not discharged a general strike is robable.
That is what makes this temporary settle
ment more dangerous than the lockout to the
building interests. No trouble between the