New-York tribune., 1899-07-31
TALK OF ANOTHER STRIKE.
Roll IIERMAKERS AND IRON SHIPBolLD-
ERS WANT SHORTER HOURS

Anotber strike is promised. this time by the
men OF the hammer and anvil, the smiths VINO
fashion the great steel ships of modern com
mcrce known by their craftsmen as the Brother-
nnod NJ Roilermakers and Iron Shipbuilders.
There is every indication at present that the
gauntlet thus thrown down will be lifted and
the struggle promises to be bitter one or
course II may be avoided by concessions from
hoth sides and the labor men-the only ones
accessible yesterday-say they will do what Is
right"
Their idea OF what Is right" is contained in
their ultimatum issued yesterday. as follows;
You are hereby notified that on and atter
Tuesday. August J. we. the members OF the
Brotherhood Of Boilermakers and Iron Snip
builders District Lodge No. 3 Of the Seapoaru'
will expect the working hours to he eight on Ola
work nine on new work. and eight on SatuI
day The wages 10 remain as at present
For five hours yesterday from = to O'CLOCK
n M two hundred delegates of District Lodge
No 2 considered the proposition TO strike Ihe
meeting was held in Military Hall, No. 193 Bow
ery. William NJ Boyle. the president OF the
Metal Workers Conference, superior BODY
presided.
The delegates represented two lodges from
Jersey City one in Hoboken. one in Elizabeth
port one in Bayonne. three in Brooklyn one IN
Manhattan making a total Of nine in this dis
trict.
President Boyle says there are nineteen nun
dred men employed at this kind of work-boii-
ermaking and shipbuidng-by the various hrms
in the places named He says thirteen
hundred of the men are in his organization
and that enough Of the non-union men Will
either strike in sympathy or join the organiza-
ton outright to give complete control OF the
trade in case of strike.
There was some conservative sentiment In
the meeting 1t was not strong enough, how
ever to fight strike openly, and IT endeaVoreo
to get around it by asking that the employers
receive a longer time 10 consider the demands
made.
Give them thirty days at least. Be ceceht
about it," one delegate suggested. Instantly
the delegates were in an uproar and several
started for the conservative" man. tie stood
his ground. however, and they contented them
selves with frantic shouts for recognition from
the president.
Il am not in favor Of giving any more time
than they have already had" said one big
brawny smith. "All the firms have known OF
this for some days. Give them thirty Gays
and they'll have two 'scabs' for every Job. Take
'em quick, that's my advice Cries or hear.
hear" and applause showed the true sentiment
and with little further effort by the conserVa-
granted, fixed.
President Boyle said the various employers
had at first signiiied their Willingness 10 grant
the hours conce ssion demanded. Later. how
ever they demurred. and each said they couid
not make the concession unless all the other
firms agreed to do so.
That means" said President Boyle, that
while we were fooling around talking about II
they simply got together and formed sort or
trust. Now we'll probably have TO fight for II
We think We will easily demonstrate such
strength that they will come 10 our terms.
President Boyle said there was a rumor cur
rent that the knights of Labor are hostile TO
his organization, and will furnish "scabs" In
case of strike. He denounced the story as
foolish lie" and said the two organizations
are on most cordial terms. He said his union
had given substantial help In the streetcar
strike
Tonight the Metal Workers Conference a
delegate body made up of representatives OF the
unions of every sort Of metal workers largely
employed by the shipbuilding firms will meet in
Military Hall. 1t is said resolution to stand by
the boilermakers and iron shipbuilders Will be
adopted unanimously This seems probable,
since the two organizations have common
head in the same president. Mr.. Boyle