The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-15
THE AGREEMENT In DANGER
Carpenters Uneasy About What 1t Said
Contractors Want to Bring Around.
Attack on the Unions Threatened Because
Their Members Work for Less Pay for Men
Outside Of the Bosses Association

A mass-meeting of the carpenters unions
has been called for tonight at Masonic
Hall, the cali having been made on the
order of the Carpenters Council. The pur-
pose is to consider matters that threaten TO
provoke renewal of the trouble OF last
spring. The carpenters expect. if the
agreement is abandoned and the tight
renewed. that the struggle will be
more stubborn than any the city
has as yet seen In organized labor
Dissatisfaction with the agreement OF last
spring. which ended the lockout. has been
pronounced. both among the contractors
and carpenters but IL is claimed by the
latter that the former threaten its longer
continuance. The carpenters say they
have all along expressed determination to
live mp to its terms, however disagreeable.
and when the time came TO renew
it to have 1t made more accepta-
BILE The contractors organization
holds grievance against the
carpenters because some of the
union mon, il 10 charged, are working for
contractors out of the association for less
than they REQUIRE those In it TO pay. 1t is
also said these contractors complain that
the eight-hour day Is causing them great
loss because. during the heat of the day,
the least work is accomplished. They. &C
cordingiy. want a nine-hour day during the
heated term
The carpenters say the real reason for dis
satisfaction among the contractors with the
agreement 10 q wish to deal the unions
blow. and to gain an excuse for violst-
ing the agreement they intend to let their
organization die and then reorganiZe. The
unions have an intimatiOn of b demand the
contractors will make, which will renew
the trouble. The presence of some of the
recognized leaders OF the carpenters In
Central Labor Union again 10 said to be ac-
counted for on the ground that In case
the contest comes they want to
be in close touch with organized
labor. A committee from the contractors
and one from the carpenters held secret
conference over the situation q few days
slDce, and tonight report of the trans
actions will be made. Instructions will be
asked Tor by the carpenters committee to
guide it's action when il meets again with
the contractors' committee some time dur
fng the week.
Tbs contractors and workmen. notwith-
standing differences regarding the agree
ment, have found mutual interest in con-
nection with the new jail. public library
and Commercial Club buildings Secret
conferences have been recently held by
them to bring influences to- bear which
will give local contractors an equal chance
with those outside In bidding for work on
these buildings
We have in indianapolis a certain scale
of wages" said one engaged in the build
ing trades last night. which is hi CHER than
In m any other cities, and by tue agreement
with the bosses the latter are bound TO en-
ploy none but members of unions. But. in
bidding against outside contractors who
are privileged to employ nOn-uniOu labor
at cheaper prices and longer hours, they are
necessarily placed at a disadvantage. The
bosses have therefore sought our aid in an
attempt 20 equalize conditions. AS our
interests lie In the same direction, we
have appointed committees To 40 before
the County and School Commissioners and
the Commercial. Club directors and ask that
their contracts stipulate that the success
full bidder shall employ labor on the In
dianapOlls scale. We have had. so far. no
difficulty in showing these boards that our
request is fair and reasonable, except. per-
haps. the School Board. The architects of the
library building are the same who prepared
plans for the Central-avenue Church. and
led to Dayton contractor coming here and
employing men unfortunately ana work
ing ten hours. We have suspicion the
architects aud the contractors are in part
nership. and fear the influence of the form
CT on the School Board. The County Com
missioners have promised To submit the
contract for the Jail TO our committee, in
order that IL may be satisfactory To us