The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-04-30
GETTING READY FOR MAY-DAY.
A Large Meeting of the carpen-
tiers and Joiners
Attended by Many Non-Union Men and
Some Contractors, Who Say They Will
Accede to the Demands OF the Union.
The Situation Discussed at Some
Length, audithe Meeting Unanimously
Decides to Demand $3.50 for Nine
Hours Work.

hours' work.
Tomorrow will be the day on which
the strength of organized labor will be
tested for the first time in Roanoke.
Carpenters Union, 44s, sent out notices
to all the contractors about two months
ago that on and after tho first of Nav
they would be expected to pay ESQ as
the minimum price for nine hours
work.
There has been much excitement over
the demands and many of the contrac-
tors have refused to respond.
Tomorrow morning the men will re-
port for work, but will find ont first if
their employers will accede to the de-
mands OF the union. If this is refused,
the men will not go to work, but will
report back to the hall. 1t is expected,
however, that nearly all will find out
by this evening how the matter will
stand.
j. Il. Patton, the president of the Car
penter's and Joiner's Union. called the
public meeting to order at $50 o'clock
last night. There were nearly two hun
were carpenters. but there were several
contractors and nonunion men present.
The president stated the objects of the
meeting, and said he would open it by
reading the principles of the union. The
main objects of the organization was to
discourage the piece-work system, and
encourage the apprentice system. He
added that the fight was now for an in
crease of wages and n reduction of the
time. The meeting would be devoted
to hearing expressions from all classes
of men. lie wanted to hear from the
contractors also.
j. s. Curry, of the Carpenters Union,
was the first speaker, and was intro
duced by the chair.
Mr.. Curry said he had been heard
from quite often, but could still talk on
the labor question. He had been inter-
ested in 1t for the reason that labor had
been improved upon. He wished to see
1T organized. Labor is not organized for
strike; it is for protection. If labor
had always received q just compenst-
ton there would never have been any
strikes. When labor demands more
pay the. devil is to pay. When it was
decided TO demand $3.50 for q days
work great excitement was gotten up
all over town. No ore will be hurt by
an advance in wages; it comes off the
workingTan in the end lie could re-
member when carpenters worked from
daylight till dark. Then the ten hour
system was inaugurated No ono had
been damaged by it. He was sure most
of the contractors would accedc to the
demar DIS.
MIR. H. Grove, contractor, was pres
ent and was next called upon. lie fa-
vored paying men what they were
worth, and said he employed some who
he would like to pay So day. Mr.
Grove said great many Of the contrac-
tors were not mechanics, and they had
to employ skilled workman to con
| duct their business. He said that owing
to the high prices Of real estate and the
necessities of life it was necessary that
men should have an advance in wares.
! he wound up by saying, II expect to
pay my men up to the top of the pot and
wont work them but nine hours either"
William Henderson, of the union,
favored the nine-hour movement, and
SAID there was not a respectable con-
| tractor in the city who would object to
paying good mechanics So SO for nine
hours work.
c. E. Ellis said an advance in wages
was necessary owing to the high
prices which were demanded for house
rent and provisions.
W. d. Ford, contractor, but who is
union man, favored shorter hours and
an advance of wages
j. Ii. Shank spoke for the apprentice
system.
Mr.. johnson was non-union carpen-
ter, but he favored the movement and
said he intended to join the union.
MIR. Charles Carper announced that
while he was n non-union carpenter he
had succeeded in getting his foreman to
accedc to the demands of the union
X. a. Figga.t made a motion that
everybody demand $3.50 day for nine
hours work. Everybody stood up. The
vote was unanimous
a canvass was then made for applica-
tions, and twelve men applied for mem
bership.