The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-03-31
THE EXCHANGES SIDE
OF the Controversy Over tho Car
penters' Demand for an Increase,
THE STATEMENT BY A COMMITTEE
Authorized to Speak for tho Employ,
crs = Tho Advance Asked Pro-
nounced Unjust-The Carpenters
Here Get, it is Asserted, the Highest
Wages Paid East of tho mississippi
Except in New York,


Exchange has prepared for publication
formal statement OF the employers
side OF tho pending disagreement over
the mems demand for an increase OF
twenty per cent in all wages. The
statement contRins several assertions
which will prove as interesting us new
to the general public. The paper will
be found in full below;
"At tho first meeting OF tho Builders
Exchange in January thoy received n
communication from both the union
and non.union carpenters demanding
twenty per cent advance on tho ruling
prices, which was received and referred
to the proper committee for action and
report. This committee promptly re-
ported that owing to tho present de-
pressed state oil business and tho UNI
favorable outlook, that such advance
could not be made, this action was I'M
animously endorsed by tho exchange
and the carpenters duly notified. Since
then the builders exchange has had no
official notice from tine carpenters or
ganization until two weeks ago they
asked for u conference committee, in
which communication they neglected to
state for what purpose they want
ed conference. Notwithstanding
this, the Builders Exchange called
a special meeting and appointed
a committee, who met the
representatives OF the carpenters ut the
rooms OF the Builders Exchange on
last Monday evening, ut which meeting
1t was developed that the object OF tho
conference was the consideration OF the
communication OF January |. The com.
mittee from the Builders Exchange
expressed themselves that owing 10 tho
protracted silence OF the carpenters (ot
twelve weeks) they had considered
the demand withdrawn, and had AR
ranged their business in accordance
with that impression, In answer to
this the carpenters pleaded ignorance
OF business rules and wages and had
considered tho demand yet in force.
Tho committee OF the Builders EX-
change then suggested graduated in
crease and corresponding cut. This
was rejected by tho carpenters, rs they
said that all must he advanced. that il
q man was worth 81 80 per day before
April no was worth the advance alter.
In this condition the matter was left
and still remains.
Now asto acomparison OF wages paid
hero and elsewhere. and between the
Carpentersand other building mechanics.
II las been asserted on the very best
authority that the carpenters hero are
paid higher wages than anywhere else
east OF the Mississippi river, except in
tho city OF New York. Carpenters as u
general rulc mako twice and three
times the time that bricklayers, stone.
masons or plasterers, and the work oil
the latter is harder, dirtier and more
destructive to the workman and his
clothes than that OF tho carpenter. As
to tools, their cost and maintenance,
from good source it has been learned
that the cost OF carpenters kit is from
$40 to SIS, very few carpenters having
the latteramount, they being specialists
as stair builders, foremen and A No. l
joiners. 1t is not to-day rs it was TWEEN
ty or thirty years ago, remarked an old
carpenter, when mouldings, floor
ing, SASH doors, blinds, in fact
all wood work was got out by
hand, and man had to have n Ghost as
big Ms all out OF doors and from $500 to
$500 dollars worth OF all kinds OF now
worthless tools. A Diston or Spear &
Jackson saw cost S2 81 to s. 90, as good
an article can now DO bought for 81 %;
latchets and hammers that cost 40
cents now brought 81 and more then |;
saw files arc now 80 and rs cents a
dozen, then 81 so to 81 per dozen; all
tools, and better than was ever made
arc proportionately cheaper. As for
dents, (Which result mainly from care
lessnesa) the cost ought not to exceed
s. year, and this mainly for saw flee
and oil for wheel stones. The work for
filing saws, sharpening chisels, hatch
cts, planes and keeping them in good
order, is all borne by the employer
and done on his time, and in many
cases oil and filea arc supplied tho men
by tho employer.
IA prominent contractor and n mem
Der OF the builders exchange remarked
that big depression in tue building
business now exists and tho outlook il
still moro unfavorable. Many people
are holding back or account OF the
threatened strike, and general aspects
of business in all branches. win tho
builders exchange reccde from its
action in refusing the demanded adj.
vanceP Well, no; il they would thoy
might rs well surrender their charter
and 20 outof business"
There seems to DO a growing impress
sion just now that not nearly all the
men will go out The strike goes into
effect Saturday, il settlement Is not
reached.
This is tho employers view. On the
other hand tho carpenters say all the
members OF the craft. whether in the
union or out Of it, will go out on the
strike, while one or two, perhaps more,
contractors not in the exchange, will at
once grant tho increase asked.
Tho carpenters union met in the
trades assembly hall last night and II
was decided to hold fast to the. demand
for an increase. lit Is not granted, tho
men will 10 out this evening and not 70.
sumo work until there Is settlement
Tho union hoaa committee Of confer.
enco with power TO act, which, tho mon.
bers say tho exchange has not, and tho
committee stands ready to trent with
anybody authorized 10 at any time.
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