Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-07
THE EIGHT-HOUR LAW.
The Builders Exchange Will Talk on
This Question To-Day.
TWO MORE AMALGAHATED LODGES
Tin Plate Manufacturers Discuss the Busi-
ness Outlook
CURRENT EVENTS IN LABOR CIRCLES

Some important questions will come NJ
for discussion at the meeting of the Build
ers' Exchange to-day. The attendance
promises to be unusually large. 49,.
At the last meeting resolution was in
troduced, but held over, favoring the adop
tion of the eight-hour law by the Exchange.
The resolution was printed and mailed to
each member, informing them when it
would come up, so that they could be present.
The issuing of these resolutions has met
with hearty response from all the men,
bers, and the lines between those who favor
Or oppose them are clearly drawn.
While this question. has been often
brought up in the Exchange and as often
opposed, it is thought the conditions now
are so changed that a majority of the mem
bers will favor the adoption of the eight
hour system.
Preparing for Next Years Work.
The discussion of this question at this
time is particularly pertinent The years
work is about over and plans are being laid
for the coming season. For this reason the
question is brought up, so as to allow ample
time for discussion. 1t is not likely that
any final action will be taken at to-day's
meeting, as the opinions of the members
seem to be pretty evenly divided. This
promises determined contest
The chief objections come from the own
ers of planning mills and manufacturing
concerns, as they claim should eight hours
become a legal days work they could not
do the required work in that time with
their present equipment. This would ne
csssitate an increase in their plant of both
machinery and men, and they will oppose
the resolutions to a man. As opposed to
this element are those who claim that while
IN increase in the plants would be neces-
Earv a two-turn system could be adopted,
and the manufacturers would not only Sc
cure greater output, but the value of the
concerns would be enhanced. The adop-
tion of the system of hourly compensation
will also be discussed This system is now
in vogue in many parts Of the country, but
chiefly in the shops OF large corporations
Favor Paying by the Hour.
The members of the Exchange seem to be
pretty generally in favor of this plan and
thero will likely be little opposition to the
plan, though it is not probable that it will
be acted upon at to-day's meeting, as the
eight-hour law will take precedence, it being
considered the most important at this time.
The question with the builders is how will
such change be accepted by the workmen,
as they have not vet intimated how thev
look upon such a move.
Another question that will demand much
attention is the holding convention of all
the exchanges in Western Pennsylvania.
Eastern Ohio and West Virginia in this city
in a short time. This subject has been agi-
tated for some time, and at the last meeting
a committee was appointed to make the
necessary recommendations. Since the
Withdrawing of the PittsbGrg Exchange to-
gether with nearly all within a radius of
100 miles of the city, from the National
Exchange at the last National Convention
these exchanges have existed as Indepen-
dent organizations There has been a grow
ing feeling for closer unity of these bodies.
and meeting for general discussion of
questions relating to the trade is probable
The Exchange here has about 1000 men,
bers, the largest membership of sny ex-
change in the country, and would take the
responsibility of such move. No date has
been set yet, but it is thought it will be
near the middle of January.