Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-05-12

I9AENE, auuy u hcItt VIII uOu US u
hammer raised in the sheds tomorrow, " was
the significant reply made by the granite
cutters last evening, whoa asked about tho
prospect of strike this mcr,ning, and the cor
rectness of this assertion is proven, for, bar
ring the work being done by the apprentices,
the granite shods are as siieLt as though the
hugo blocks of stone already stood over tho
graves Of those whose last resting places
they were designed to mark.
There was mass meeting of the Cutters
union last evening, and vote had
Just been passed TO 80 out until the
differences between the manufactur-
ers and men should DO settled
when a messenger entered the hall with
telegram from headquarters ordering the
men to quit work.
TIE cutters here nro not at,all anxious
Cor strike, and appear quite hopeful that
the present state OF affairs will be OF short
duration.
Barre has but one industry, and strike
Of the granite cutters, or n lockout by the
manufacturers, means tho prostration of all
the business interests of one of the most
prosperous and most rapidly growing
towns in Vermont. II is to be hoped that
The differences may be settled, and outside
interference from any quarter be thrust
aside for the common interest.
BARRE, May G.-Eiere and there the
sound OF hammer struck by au apprentice
ia about all the life noticed among the
granite shops to-day.
At the meeting of the Manufacturers
association last night, their secretary was
Instructed to write the secretary Of the
Cutters union that the manufacturers
were ready to sign the old bill of last year
to terminate Jan. ], 1S94.
The New England Manufacturers associ-
alton have decided tat if the condition in
evory locality is not settled and the men al
work before May IA, general shut down
will be ordered in all the works and quar-
ries in Nav England.
The men are still working at Montpelier,
Mortified, Plainfed, IYilliamstown, East
Barre and West Berlin.
The Barre merchants have shut down on
giving any credit 70 the striking men.
This is the only place in New England
where the cutters nro drawing strike pay.
The tool shops are idle and ths polishing
mills nearly out o: stock
The granite Industry is the principal 5u1i-
ness here, .and the Pay rolls amount to $780,
COO O month Tho strikers are leaving
town and real estate owners and merchants
fear a long fight.
BARRE, Vt, May S.-The striking gran
lite cutters ore willing to niest the employers
half way, aud they notify the dealers that
they will sign the revised bill OF prices,
dated May /. The bill is TO run one year
and continue, il notice of a change is not
given in six months previous to the time for
its expiration. The dealers weat the bill
signed in January, notice of change to be
given in October. The strikers say their
proposition is fair, as it gives the manutac-
turers ample time to figure for the summer 5
~ aptt hoe tn1-1 I,y f,
dealers.
1t is carefully estimated by disnterested
parties thai the striking cutters and sharp
eners in tie village number about 800. The
polishers and apprentices are all at work in
the village and the quarrymen on the hill,
although the few paving cutters there are
out.
One small firm Informed the strikers that
they would sign the old bill, but the strikers
refused to accept, the firm do not have a
quarry or polishing mill,
BARRE, May 9.-There is no disposition
on the part Of either side to yield any
ground III the fight now going on among
the granite men, The granite manufactur-
ers will not accept the strikers proposition
TO sign the bill Of prices dated May !, with
the sl1 months notice clause, and the strikers
say they viii never sign the mid winter
bill
BARRE, May 10.-Ehe Manufacturers
association hoId another meeting last even
ing and 1t Is claimed they decided to stand
by their proposition to the end
j. =. Mari, secretary Of the Granite Gut
ters' union, received the following telegram
last evening.
CONCORD, n. H,
3:25 p m. May, 1892. !
Milestone Point Havcrhil, Sunnpee,
Fitawiliam, Milford and Monson settled to
May !, 1898. j. 2. DYER.
This is causing considerable comment, as
q copy has been made and hung in tho post
office, but not much stock is taken in it,
The Granite Cutters union held annother
session this morning, but what action, if
any was taken, in relation to the strike, is
not known outside.
Strikers arc leaving town on nearly every
train.
The granite manufacturers say that the
tool sharpeners broke their agreement by
not giving the three months notice required
by the bill Of prices, but struck some time
earlier
The situation is growing complicated and
tho matter may be left toiarbitretion. The
strike has been costing the National Granite
Cutters union $500 daily.
Funeral OF Mrs. Atkins
MONTPELIER, May S.-Tho funeral OF
Mrs. Atkins, wife OF Hiram Atkins, was