The evening world., 1894-01-08
ASK SHORTER HOURS.
Wood -Carvers Locked Out by
Four Big Firms.
The Men Wanted 10 Give Their Un-
employed Fellows Work.
They Declare that the Bosses Broke
Their Agreement OF 1899

The strained relations which for a long
time have existed betwce the wood
carvers of this city and their employers,
has eliminated in the lockout OF all the
men employed by -four o fthe biggest
firms. and there is every indication that
It will spread. The firms mentioned are
teyBaumgarten e. Co.. Hcrts Bros, Schas-
tey & Co., Kimball { Sons and lierter
Bros.
Several hundred men are interested
directly in the lockout. II from their
standpoint they see nothing in the move
ment but a determination of the EN-
ployers to ultimately reduce wages. the
whole trouble is over the question Whetn-
err or not eight or nine hours shall con
stitute a days work. The workmen In
sist that the former shall 40 into effect
and the manufacturers, the latter. mas
much as the men are paid by the hour
the point itself from an outsiders view
seems ofg little consequence.
'"rhe fact is said Walking Delegate
Jacob f.. Bausch, OF the -Carvers'
Association, to an Evening Worilr re,
l'present depression in business, working
men are Il: Nlous to SEE that their TEL
lows get as much employment as pos
sible. They are willing to %sacriie a
rood deal. and when the manufacturers
cannot possibly lose a dollar by em-
ploying m"rc men to do their work when
all are paid only for the number OF
hours actually engaged, they cannot see
| why there should be any objection. we
want to work only eight hours a day.
because that means employment to more
men,
The action of the -four firms named
was reported to the Wood Carvers'
Union at their last meeting. and a
resolution was unanimously passed to
issue a manifesto to the public cN-
planning their position. .
The manifesto refers to. the fact That
n partial strike occurred In 1882 for the
eight-hour system. and that non-unicn
men took the places of strikers in some
instances, and a lockout followed. The
strike was abandoned by the other trades
selves continued the warfare Until, Octo-
ber,-f8e2,- when, owing to increased bust
ness, the manufacturers were Obliged to
take the men back on their own terms.
AS soon as the rush was over, however.
the manufacturers insisted on the old
terms again. Another clash followed,
and after a long warfare the manufaC-
turers, according to the manifesto, were
the manifesto says.
The representative of our Union, in the com
pany OF the President Of our association and tho
President Of the Board Of Delegates. met the fol-
lowing employers in the office Of Iicrts IirOs.,
Twentieth street and broadway. March II. 1925:
Mcssrs. Ben. lIcrts. q. II. Schastey. iir. Nichols
and Mr.. Kimball. IT,, all Of whom so!emnly agreed
and pledged their word and honor as men that
they would not attempt to increase the working
hours. but that the eight hour workday should
continue in force for the ensuing two years Or
until March 10, 1895.
We ask any fair-mlnded person II 1T Is sur
Drising. the carvers' Indignation is thoroughly
aroused, and that they now unanimously reject
the proposition OF the employers whose past treat
mont OF our members has been dnsDotir and cruel.
We are constrained by n desire TO convey 10 the
public the reasons from which our determination
70 maintain the eight-hour workday emanutcs.
Tho condition Of our trade during the past few
years has been more distressing than in 1856
~ II is difficult for all the csrSCrs located bore
10 find work under the eight, hour system. AMI
therefore. " we were to aCquiesce in the prOpO-
sition advanced. the distress would be more ap-
palling and tho ranks of the ulei plOyel would
be largely augmented. II may he here stated
thot our action In forcing the eight hour system
ployer, as carvers are remunerated for their
services by the hour. and receive pay only for
the actual number Of hours they toll.
Therefore. It becomes apparent 10 ell that the
not hut cOnstrne as IN attempt 10 snnihilate our
association, the sequel OF which Will be a realilg-
tlon cf their unsatiatcd desire to restore Ms 10 the
position prerions to 1886. The absIrdity OF
thcir demand makes itself manifest when tho fact
becomes known that during tho past three months
they were only able to employ two or three cary
era al Sik or seven hours y day.
We ae assured that our opinion will he unirer-
sally COnCurrel In when W. contend that. when
such a crisis surrounds us as at present. the motto
he To shorten the hours a labor as much az they
possibly can, 50 az to aNum some Of the unfortu-
nate idle people an opportunity To provide for
thbse who are dependent upon rhom for support.
Walking Delegate Bausch, who was
also Chairman of the Committee which
DATED the manifesto. said that several
hundred men We're now out of employ
ment In consequence Of the lockout, The
matter will probably come m before the
Central Labor Union on Sunday.