Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-05-03
ON A STRIKE.
Hallowell Granite Quarrymen
Went Out Yesterday,
Ard the Cutters Will Join Them Today
both Sides Firm.
pitfsheId Scholars Will Observe Arhof Day
With an Elaborate Order Of Exercises.


HALLowELL, May ?. - In accordance
with the preeedents of previous years the
local 4uarrymen', L Mon sent in a proposed
bill Of prices for the carreut year TO the
Halioweli Granite Works couple of
months ago Since then the men say that
they hayc heard nothing from the company.
TIE qHa!rymen's year ran out On Saturday
night last, and as IL result the Old bill of
prices is no longer in vogue, and under the
under the unions rules the men therefore
diA not work today, and will not, they say f.,
until the company has signed new bin.
The fiallGwell Granite Works belongs 20
the New England Granite Manufacturers
Association. That body has recently or
derea It's members to sign only such bills of
prices AZ shall expire December q, instead
of April 80 as previously As result the
local company is powerless to enter into
any agreement with its men until they agree
Ito the proposed change This the men de-
clare they viii not do, even if they have to
remain 0nl year, which they claim they
are prepared TO do.
There j. also. however, a disagreement
over the prices, but just what the trouble is
A. - AEii t'>HAp4t 10 iFdAH dS tblL tI4- tDul-
pany and the men decline to talk. 1t is
understood. how ever. that the men demand
increased pay. \ consultation WAS held
between the company and the men but they
eould CONF 10 no agreement for reasons
stated.
Yesterday morning the situation was
changed by strike on the part of the com
pany cutters employed at the quarrics \
Jel R>NL reporter called on the officers of
the company and asked what they had to
say in regard to both matters, He was
told that the company had at present moth
ing whatever 10 say ON the subject The
men, A. rule, are equally close -mouthed,
but reporter learned on good authority
What the quarry cutters grievance is. They
claim that the company agreed last year to
eisner furnish men to drill the ''spudgc-
holes or to pay the cutters three cents Il
hole for doing their own drilling. The
spudgc holes are those drilled for
purpose of splitting off the stones. As a
result of the quarrymen stopping work the
cutters were obliged TO do this extra drill
ing. They claim that the company has de
cliHttl 10 do either of the things il promised.
The cutters at the quarries are employed
on paving stones. but belong to the same
union Us those employed in the yards.
A. result of the trouble at the quarries a
meeting oi the Cutters l'ui0n was called
yesterday afternoon To meet mt their hall at
five o'clurk just after work stopped. Long
before that hour men began to pour in from
thc guarrics and the street were soon crowd
ti. the crowd was augmented at five by
the cutters employed in the yard and all ad-
journed 10 the hall. BY careful inves-
legations it was learned on what was
apparently most excellent authority that
the yard cutters employed on monumental
work and dressed stone, will go out until
the company acccdts To the paving cutters
demands.
This strike, howeser, will be but mere
skirmish compared with one that is to come.
On the night of MAY II, the present bill of
prices for the cutters runs out and the men
will hc asked to sign one expiring Decem-
her H. This they also will not do, so the
chances apparently are that the entire plant
uf the iIalowciI Granite Works will be
shut down for an indefinite period.
This il u most serious blow to every bust
ness interest in the city, rs the company
gives employment to over 800 men and pays
out $50 OO0 month. Leading business men
are exceeding gloomy over the situation
and are very drsrous for settlement. The
general feeling is that one would he speed
lily arranged were either side at liberty to
act alonr- hut a> has been stated both the
company and the unions belong To central
organizations. and are therefore unable to
act Individually, What the outcome of the
matter will be it is impossible to state. .