The Washington times., 1894-04-15
ONLY WANT FAIR sHoM.
The Carpenters in Council Address Letter
to Their Employers.

10 Their Employers
The following letter has been addressed to
the editor OF the National Building Register:
In your issue Of March go appeared an editor.
ial headed AN unwarranted sentiment, which
contain ed SO many things that were eulogistic
OF the Builders Exchange, and, also, an appar-
ent lack OF Information of the action OF some OF
its members, that the Carpenters Council re-
spectfully ask space In your valuable journal ior
the following:
You say that for some "unaccountable reason
there exists among the various trades orgnniza-
tions related TO the building industry in wash
ington, very friendly sentiment toward the
Builders Exchange" AS far as the carpenters s.
organizations are concerned, there is no feeling
antagonistic to the exchange, excep: that engen-
dered by the unfriendly action Of the employing
carpenters represented in that body.
That they are interested in the promotion of
our welfare, as you assert, We most positively
deny. We have had an example of their solici-
tude in our behalf this spring. II 1t was not
founded for the purpose Of dislodging labor from
its tiine-honored position, it should control some
of its officers and leading lights from taking
every advantage that they can Of the laborer.
That there are members Of the exchange who
employ carpenters and are friendly TO our or
ganiZatiopS we are aware; but also know
those that are unfriendly, and as they among
the leaders Of the exchange, that organization
must bear the stigma Of their actions
Our organizations have always tried to work
in harmony with the employers organization,
as we believe hat the interest of the employer
and employe would be best subserved by such
sition on their part, except on one occasion.
When the agitation Of reduction Of the hours
of labor to eight per day was started. organi-
cation sent out a committee to consult with the
employers and for the first time met with their
cooperation in that measure. We voluntarily re-
duced our wages 20 cents per day, and in accept
ing the terms proposed by the Master Builders
Association our object was to give work to the
GREATS number of men possible.
When taken in consideration that the average
carpenter does not exceed six months work
n irc he lesat IN
pay the high rate OF rent imposed in the District
and to keep his family, the reduction suffered
was a large one, but it was willingly surrendered
for the sake of reducing the hours and giving
employment 10 some OF our fellow craftsmen.
The conditions have not improved since last
Spring. There are as many men out of employ
ment now as then, and the same reasons exist
for q reduction OF the hours Of labor now as did
then. What is the action of those that are
pledged to the furtherance and promotion OF
any practical measure that viii secure the labor
ing man the enjoyment of fair and equit bic
rights? We find the officers of the Builders
Exchange and the Master Builders Association
secretly conniving TO increase the hours OF labor
They have issued a mandate that the men in
their employ shall work nine hours per day,
without consulting the organization who were
parties TO the eght-hour agreement They pro-
pose TO take advantage of the hard winter Just
past and the necessities of the men to increase
the hours Is this going TO provide work for the
helpless and hungry, Is this a vigorous stand
in favor of the just rights of the laboring mann
Nay, Mr.. Editor, it is just the reverse. VIII 1t
promote the building industry viii it create
friendly feeling among the carpenters, en-
ployers and employees? Why have the employ
ing carpenters alone instituted this movement?
Why are the carpenters singled out of all the
building trades 10 suffer an increase in the
hours of labor.
These are some Of the questions our men are
asking themselves They have decided that ii
will not promote the building industry, but If
tried to be enforced will retard it. They believe
1t to be the act of men who are determined to
break up our organizations, and propose TO re-
sist IL TO the utmost. The result OF this fight on
our organization (for 1t can be called nothing
else-the difference of one and three-tenths cents
per hour for carpenters labor can have no ap-
predatory eTfect the building industry will
be TO create uncertainty that will be injurious
to the business II will foster the strained re-
lations between the employers and employees.
which will be disadyantageous to both.
This is an aggressive movement on the part of
the employers which will be opposed by every
means in the power of our organizations and if
the Register is Interested in the welfare of the
building industry we earnestly hope it will use
its influence TO counsel moderation on the part of
the employers. Respectfully yours,
CARPENTERS COUNCIL
P L. O'BRIEN. Secretary.