Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-22
LABOR BODIES LOCK HORNS
International Machinists and Typographical
Union Engaged in Dispute.
The Control of Linotype Machinists
Claimed by BOth-American Fed
Grafton of Labor Involved.

Two of the most powerful labor organiza-
lions in America, the International Associa-
ton of Machinists and the International
Typographical Union, respectively, haye, it
is reported, locked horns in a test of
strength over the question of which is to
have jurisdiction over the linotype ma
chinists. The arena in which the two giants
have essayed to struggle is as wide as the
continent and threatens to involve not only
the machine tenders in every printing Of
flee in the country in which the linotype
machine is used but the American Fedora
ton of Labor we'll as that body has set
a precedent upon which one of the factions
POUNDS its claims. Both contestants are
willing to let it go to a trial of endurance
and skill and influence, and at this time
there does not appear to be tie slightest
prospect Of compromise
AT present the machine tenders are men,
bers of the International Union of Machin-
lists, but for many months the International
Typographical Union has asserted, through
It's representatives, that the machine ten
ders should properly belong to the typo
graphical union. The matter was taken up
at the last convention of the International
Typographical Union, held in Syracuse in
october, and at that meeting propo-
sition was made to take in the machine
tenders and to give them until July l. 1899
to join. This proposition went to a refer
endum vote of the typographical unions
and has just been declared carried by a
majority of 3,2SS votes. ,-syl
Probable Fierce Conflict.
A prominent labor man of this city, whose
opinion was asked on the matter at issue
between the two bodies and who is himself
a member of a machnists' union, said ::
1t is my impression that we are entering
upon one of the greatest labor wars this
country has known. We will never with
draw our jurisdiction from the machine
tenders unless We are beaten into submits
sion, and l do not think that is possible
The printers are equally firm. The ma
chinists properly belong to our union. We
were wiling to concede in small offices,
running not more than four machines
where the employment of a machine tender
would not pay, that a combination PRINTER
ana machine tender would be allowed, and
that he could hold membership in the tvpo-
graphlcal union; but in offices having more
.hdn TOUR machines we demanded and still
demand that the machine tender shall be
a member of our union.
The Precedent,
we base our claim upon a precedent laid
down by the American Federation of Labor
In similar dispute between the brewery
workers and coopers' unions. The coopers
claimed that all employees handling coopers'
toois III DreWer1es should belong to the
coopers' union. The executive board of
the Federation ruled that when there is
sufncient cooperage work for the employ
ment OF a cooper full time such person
should belong to the coopers' union, and
when there is insufficient work to keep
cooper employed full time, then such en-
ployes as are required to do both brewery
ana cooperage work shall belong to the
brewery workers union. This is the pre-
cedent upon which we base our claims for
the support of the American Federation of
Labor The cases are parallel. We are
rlght and we Will fight this thing to finish
If we have to involve all the newsnaner
and printing offices in the United States"