Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-03-30
A STRIKE PROBABLE
UNLESS AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN CARPEN-
TIERS AND CONTRACTORS IS REACHED
Before Friday Night-A Rumor That it Was
Decided Upon Last Night = The
Number Of Men Affected.

Unless there is a change in the situa-
ton regarding the demands made by
the local carpenters before Friday
night, at least two hundred men will
strike, and the building interests and
business generally will be affected.
The conference held between the
committees appointed by the Builders
Exchange and the carpenters respect
lively, on last Monday night, was fruit
less, so far as an agreement upon any
terms of compromise is concerned. The
whole time consumed by the commit
tees was spent in a discussion OF the
situation, and wrangling over the de-
mands made by the carpenters. a
member Of the Builders Exchange COM
mittee stated yesterday that the con-
tractors would agree to advance the
wages of skilled mechanics 10 per cent,
but that some so-called carpenters are
already paid higher wages than they de-
serve, and that they would not consent
to general advance. 1t is understood
that the carpenters union will consent
to compromise, but probably not on
the terms suggested by the Exchange.
The conference Oh Monday night, as
stated above, adjourned without coming
to any agreement, and no arrangement
was made for another meeting, as 1t
was evident that nothing would be ac-
complished, since both sides were de-
termined TO stand firmly in the posi-
lions which they assumed.
Yesterday it was currently reported
that another conference had been ar
ranged for last night, and also that the
carpenters were called for special
meeting. II the conference or meeting
took place at all, the Exchange rooms
or Trades Assembly hall were not the
places selected. Two members of the
union who were seen last night dis
claimed any knowledge OF the meeting.
Later il was reported that the matter
was left, on the side of the union,
in the hands Of the com
mlttee, with full power to act, and
that the members have decided to stop
work on Friday night at o'clock, and
not resume until their demands are &C
coded 10, or O compromise reached.
While this will in all probability be the
result, it IS not likely that the commit
tee took such action, in view OF the
fact that two days remain, during
which there is a possibility OF the entire
matter being amicably adjusted. The
Carpenters and Joiners will hold their
regular meeting on Friday night, and
il is not probable that strike will be
formally declared before that time.
The carpenters ask for general in
crease of 90 per cent. Ia wages. They
are now paid different wages, the
amount being regulated by the skill and
ability Of the workman. The carpen-
tiers urge, in support of their claims for
better remuneration, that men employ
ed in the other building trades, stone
masons, bricklayers ard plasters,
all receive better wages than
they. On the other hand, the con-
tractors admit that some workmen are
worth more money than they are re-
ceiving, but others are paid more than
they are worth, and any new scale OF
wages must be formed upon basis or
comparative ability. There are at
present two hundred members OF the
carpenters union, but in the event OF a
stake it is probable that many carpen-
tiers who are not members Of the or
ganization viii join in the demand for
better pay.