The Press., 1893-04-06
Number 1.
Springfield Republican, April 1st.)
 THE MASONS' STRIKE.

To-day being the 1st of April, the brick layers and plasterers' union will celebrate by going out on the strike it promised to make at this date to enforce a demand for eight hours day at the present wages of $3.7 day. From present appearances the strike is likely to be determined one. The men left their work in good spirits last evening, while the contractors are said to be glad of the chance for a struggle with the men. The union has about $3,000 in it's treasury, which is ready for distribution. This, given out at the rate of S7 week for married and $5 for single men, would not last very long. Moreover, the union cannot de- mand assistance from the national union because that body has not countenanced the movement for eight hours. Circulars to other unions asking for aid can and probably will be sent out, and good re- turns may be expected from these, espec- ially as there are but few strikes in the trade just now.
 The contractors are glad to try their strength with the union, not only because they oppose the movement for eight-hour days, but because they want to settle the apprentice question. For several years the union has limited the number of ap- prentlces contractor can employ, until the latter claim the rule has become un- bearable. Two or three contractors in the city now have sons, whom they wish to teach the business, but are prevented from doing so by the stringent rules of the union. Now they expect to break the union once and for all. They have been preparing carefully for the struggle, and have gone to the men of the city who do the most building and secured their prom ise that they will not give work to out-of- town contractors or combinations which may be formed among the men. Most of the men approached have made this prom ise gladly, and one man not directly in terested has proposed calling a mass meeting of all those who intend building and get their promise not to give their work either to outsiders or to any con. tractor employing union men. With this assurance the contractors propose to go ahead as they are able. Many will start laying bricks themselves, and will work apprentices. In few weeks they claim masons can be educated to entirely fill the places of those who go out. Although no definite plans will be made by the con- tractors union until it's meeting Monday night, men will probably be sent out through the country towns, where there are no unions, and it is expected all the men needed can be secured. It is a slack time in the work, and many masons from Great Britain, Who come over to work through the summer, are just beginning to appear. In case such men are put tc work they will be promised permanent job, as will also the apprentices, and, in case the contractors win, the old men will be permanently out of work.
 For the first time in the trades history in this city the contractors are united in the matter. A few smaller concerns, who employ one or two men, will probably &C., cede, but only one of the larger contract ors, F. c. Morrissey, will give in. MT. Morrissey is practically the only one in the city who has building on his hands which, must be finished. This is the Porter & McElwain block on Sanford st. There is about eight days work on this, and at the end of this time, if the strikers have not won, Mir. Morrissey will join the contractors. The brick-work in the ma- sonic temple is practically finished, and the plastering can wait several months. The new library building will be ready for the masons in about two weeks, but a proviso in the contract allows for delays on account of strikes, and in the case of the building E. s. Brewer is to put up for the Nayassett club it is also understood that delays for that cause will not be counted. These are practically the only big buildings which are ready to be put up, but many people who have thought of building have delayed doing so on &C., count of the strike.