Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-08
ALL VOTED ONE WAY.
The Builders Exchange Rejects the
Eight Hour Resolution.
A CONVENTION TO BE HELD HERE.
The LaWrsnceville Mills Will Not Be Taken
to Homestead.
ITEMS OF INTEREST IN LABOR CIRCLES

The meeting Of the Builders' Exchange
yesterday afternoon was unusually well at
tended. The resolution favoring the
adoption Of the eight hour Law, which had
been introduced at the last meeting, had ex-
cited much interest among the members It
was taken up and discussed with vigor for
two hours A deep concern has been felt
In this question, as it had been cursorily dis
enssed at the November meeting and had been
brought up at this time to test the opinion
OF the members of the Exchange on this
subject that has been so generally dis
cussed by the labor unions during the past
year. The Exchange now works under
rule that makes nine hours q legal day s
work, but there has been growing demand
for shortening of hours The demand was
made for eight hours some time ago, and
the nine hour law was granted. In view of
the demand probably being made for next
year it was thought best to have an e1-
preston of opinions before the season
opened 20 as to know how to act when the
time did come.
Both sides of the question were taken up
by various members and warmly discussed.
The tenor of the remarks was that with the
present condition in industrial and financial
circles, 1t would not be wise to adopt the
eight hour system as the rule of the E1-
change.
Too Radical at This Time.
It was argued that while certain trades in
many cities were working under the eight
hour Law, it had not been generally adopted
by the trades unions throughout the country
and move at this time, which would bring
all the trades in the city under its opera
tion, would be too radical and not
justified now. There was a general senti-
ment manifested among the members
of the Exchange, however, that the prece-
dent adopted by the Government in making
eight hours legal days work would soon
be adopted not only by the Exchange, but
by all the trades. 1t was broug ht out in the
discussion that many were in favor of its
adoption, but wanted to see the law become
more generally adopted before they would
vote for it. Should the Exchange go ahead
and declare itself in favor of the new law
it would be at a disadvantage in dealing
with other trades. The bricklayers of Bos-
ton have been working for eight hours since
November l, but they received pay for only
the time they work. The work in the iron
and planning mills was compared. 1t was
budl 6aCu Lulll was ChpdDl6 Vi
out just SO much material in so much time,
but that while one was kept going all the
time the other could not be in operation
more than part OF the time, and should
change now be made in the working hours
the loss would be more than could be justi-
fed
When the question came up for vote,
the resolution making eight hours legal
days work was overwhelmingly defeated.
The vote was made unanimous This will
hkely.settle this question for the Exchange
for some time, as the sentiment expressed
yesterday will be taken as an index of what
the vote would be should the question come
up again before the end of another year.
The Basis of the Dispute.
The question of hourly compensation was
not discussed, as the settlement of this de-
pends on the number of hours for days
work. The demand of nine hours paw for
eight hours work is the basis of the dispute
in the way of accepting the eight-hour law, |
so when the one was defeated the other did |
not come up.
The President was empowered to appoint |
q committee to arrange a programme for a |
convention of all the Builders Exchanges |
that come into competition with the Pitts |
burg Exchange. This convention will be |
held in this city January H. The basis of |
representation will be one delegate for each |
class of workmen holding membership in
each Exchange This basis of representa-
tion will insure q large attendance. Only |
such Exchanges as have severed |
their connection with the National |
Association or are now exist |
ing as independent organizations will |
be invited to participate. This convention |
is intended to bring all these exchanges into
closer union, and while it is denied that
there is any necessity to unite and act as
one body, many of the members who are at |
the head of this movement think that at |
the proper time an effort may be made to
effect such an organization.
The Secretary and Treasurer made their |
reports, which showed that the Exchange |
has ], ,006 members in good standing W. |
W. Grier, of Verona, and W. T. Weed |
were thu new members added yesterday |
The treasury is also reported in flourish |
ing condition.