The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-26
EIGHT-HOUR REPORT
CARPENTERS SELECTED TO MAKE
THE FIGHT HIS YEAR.


The executive council OF the American
Federation of Labor adjourned yesterday,
the most important work OF the last day
being the report Of the committee to select
a trade to move May 1 for an eight-hour
day. The committees report, which follows.
indicates that the Brotherhood of Carpen-
ters and Joiners shall make the big fight,
for the action Of the council practically
means that a general strike will ensue. It
Is understood here that the officers of the
brotherhood favor a united demand by the
trade May / for an eight-hour day, so the
action of the council will no doubt be ap-
proved by them. The probability of a strike
depends on the manner In which the de
mand for shorter hours is received by
employers. Should the demand be met with
a refusal. a strike is the only alternative
The horseshoers were also encouraged to
mak eight-hour demands.
In 1889 the carpenters were chosen as the
trade deemed best for a concentration Of
effort to secure an eight-hour day. The
officers Of the brotherhood claim that the
movement was successful in 137 cities, bene-
fitting 1917 worhmen of that trade. Since
the movement of 1889 there has come the
time of depression. and in some places
vantage ground has been lost. A member
of the council of federation stated that
about so per cent. of the members Of the
brotherhood are enjoying shorter hours as
a result of the movement of 1889. The other
20 per cent. are working long hours, while
reports indicate that many included in the
original 50 per cent. have been forced to
work longer hours because of the hard
times. The membership of the brotherhood
Is roughly estimated by a member Of the
council at $1,000. and 1t is said that fully
ment of May 1. The partial victory of the
brotherhood and the fight they made before
were reasons for acknowledging their petit
ton for support in the movement.
In this city there are but three unions
Of the brotherhood, and they have not been
united. 1t is claimed that the members of
ceeded in partially settling ali differences.
If the condition of the brotherhood is the
same in other cities as it is here, the pros
overnight. Few of the carpenters of this
city are working SO few as eight hours.
Contractors say they can get all the men
they want who do not belong to the broth
erhood, the latter not being necessary to
the continuation of work. The local unions
are making efforts to get all the carpenters
to join, so there may be united action ON
May l.
Aside from the eight-hour movement, the
council did little yesterday of Importance,
according to its own reports. The differ
ences between a number Of local unions
were considered, SO it is said. The reports
Of the officers were reviewed, which show
the federation to be growing wonderfully
In strength. Following is the report from
the committee on the eight-hour question::
A this hour. when myriads of workers
are seeking employment. and in their. de-
spair numbers of them are caDtivated by
the seductive theories and glttering prom
ises. Of securing State help, We, the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor, reaffirm the ne
the practical labor movement by the vol
untary and collective efforts of the trades
unions, backed by a sympathetic public
opinion.
The general and constant introduction
of machinery, the minute subdivisions of
labor, the irregularity of employment, the
continually recurring periods of industrial
stagnation and nancia panics, the hope
less wall of the. unemployed, all demand
equalization of the opportunities that will
come from the general adoption of
and economic theories within our
ranks should be subordinated to the
great task of giving work to the
and conditions of all who toll.
There is no movement of more value to
the working people than that which will
tighten the burdens of those who are over
worked and underpaid and which will give
employment TO those who wander our by
ways and highways and searching in vain
for a better chance to live. The realiza-
ton of the eight-hour day to them means
better food and raiment, happier homes,
better citizens. a nobler manhoo and a
higher civilization.
"As we approach this question, we realize
fully the magnitude of the interested and
selfish forces arrayed against us, the in
d tha;r n1G on the nre wogking PEG tea tnemsedy yss
sessions which divide them. More than
all, we recognize the need for a more thor
craft and occupation on trade union lines
before we can undertake a general or stimuli
taneous stand for the eight-hour day. This
severe industrial crisis from which we are
nnU an1QroTnO hnuauQ chntl16 ha a holn-
full lesson to lead the industrial classes
into such compact organization which,
when once attained, will bring still greater
achievements for the working people
I'VE heartily approve the shorter work.
day asked for by the Journeymen Horse
shoers' National Union. and tender it and
the United Brotherhood of Carpenters our
active cooperation and united assistance
in their present efforts to reduce the hours
of toll. We congratulate them that they
are in a position to undertake this move
ment without our financial aid.
ITO insure continued and successful eff
forts by the working people in this direction,
can Federation of Labor are hereby di-
rected to issue an address to the wage
workers of the country urging them to
join the trade union movement with a view
of securing all possible advantages result
ing from organization, and especially TO
put into operation the eight-hour work
day as soon as business will justify such
action without injury to the public.
That the aforesaid officers notify the
executive heads of all unions affiliated with
the American Federation of Labor of such
action and seek their cooperation and as
Sistance, and request them to correspond
with employers to the end Of securing an
expression of opinion on the voluntary con-
cession of the eight-hour work-day, and
that all union whose members now work
more than eight hours per day be requested
10 select committees to wait upon the en-
ployers with the same object in view.
Further, that the press, pulpit, public
speakers and reformers generally be urged
to make the need for the eight-hour work
day a theme of concerted and persistent
discussion.
I'VE hail the decision of the Bricklayers'
and Stonemasons International Union to
adopt the eight-hour work-day in their
trade as a hopeful sign of the irresistible