The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-30
AN EIGHT-HOUR DAY.
Carpenters Advised
to Try For It in
Worcester.
SHIELDS ON TRADE CONDITIONS.
a. W. Barr viii Represent
the Hustling Machin-
lists Union.
SHIELDS ON TRADE CONDITIONS.

was at Labor headquarters last even
ing. Organizer Shields had written the
secretary of the local union several
weeks ago, but the letter miscarried,
and the mass meeting which the letter
was supposed to arrange, was known to
local officers of the union six hours be-
fore it took place. The attendance was
small in consequence.
The primary object of Organizer
Shields visit to this city is to urge the
adoption Of the eight hour working day
for carpenters. The membership Of the
local union viii be nearly doubled be-
fore any steps are taken in that direc-
ton, and Organizer Shields will return
to this city in a few weeks.
In speaking of trade conditions to
The Spy man, Organizer Shields said:
In II years, the national organization
of carpenters and joiners has grown
from membership of twelve unions to
$50 active unions. There are now 10000
enrolled members. Next to Boston, Wor-
cester is recognized as the center OF
building trades. In comparison with the
size Of the city, Worcester builders are
above any other in the value of con-
tracts received.
More than 200 cities recognize the
eight hour day for carpenters. Our ma
tional officers have worked hard for a
general adoption of the eight hour day,
and it has been estimated that our eff
forts for wage increases have resulted
in the placing of s5,500.00 more wages
annually in the pockets of carpenters
who are members Of the union.
Very few strikes have occurred at
the instigation of our national organi-
cation, and in the efforts for an eight
hour working day, few dollars have
been spent. Boston builders have rec
ognized the demand for a shorter work.
ing day, and after Oct. 10, the carpen-
tiers in that city will be under the
eight-hour working day, as the Build
ers exchange of Boston has agreed to
adopt it, Hartford and other New
England cities will soon be under the
eight-hour day for carpenters"
Organizer Shields is Gne of the
brainiest of labor union <officers, and
has been in harness 20 years. He has
served through all the offices in the
national union, and was general presi-
dent. He said that after Boston has
generally adopted the eight-hour day,
other cities will fall in line, as that
city is the basis for the operations of
| builders in other cities. Worcester will
be thoroughly canvassed for members
for the local union.
The fact that Mr. Shields has a route
mapped out, makes it impossible for
him to remain in Worcester, and he
viii leave today for North Adams, and
will attend the state convention of the
American Federation of Labor which
| opens Monday.
The Lasters union had a mass meet
| ing in labor headquarters last evening,
Organizer C. j, McMorrow of Boston
gave the address, and he urged non
union lasterS to join the local union
| Rochester convention proceedings. The
union voted to take part in the parade
| and mass meeting Friday evening.
| c. o. Blake, a member of the COM
mittee to visit the boss BARRIERS and re-
| quest them to close their shops Friday
evening to allow journeynen BARRIERS
| an opportunity to march in the parade
| and attend the mass meeting in Me
| ckanics hall, has been earnestly al
work. Last night he reported that g
| proprietors have promised to close at
| O'clock, and practically will grant the
| request. There are several shops to be
| visited, and Mr. Blake will continue his
! work Monday. Two non-union barber
shops volunteered to close on the night
| of the parade and mass meeting. One
shop within few hundred yards of Ia
| Dor headquarters makes a speciality OF
nickel shaves and dime haircuts. The
| proprietor will not be asked to close.
| Addison w. Barr will represent this
| Machnists' union at the state conven-
ton of the American Federation o.
Labor. Mr.. Barr is an ex-socialist OF
4 -
| oratory, ne made a state reputation as
a socialist expounder. He had several
lively Tits with local leaders Of the
| socialist labor party and withdrew. Hi;
decision TO drop the party was the re-
| suit of a belief gaining ground that the
party had no claims to the term ia
bor' except that 1t labored for social
ism.
VIE the socialist labor party howled
the hardest against the issuance Of in
| functions, Mr.. Barr was a member o;
the chorus. When the socialist labor
party mace threats of applying for an
| injunction restraining fractional inter
ference, Mr.. Barr said, "Ive had
enough" At North Adams he will have
his first opportunity to drown labor
delegates with foods of oratory.
The Machinists' union voted last night
night to apply for 30 days extension
Nv the IlIIlG IOT keeping tine cIldTJGr open
in order that local machinists may be-
come members under the 81 fee instead
of at 50, as required by a closed charter
Fourteen candidates were initiated. II
was voted to march in the parade and
attend the mass meeting Friday even
ing. The result of Delegate Bars visit
to the state convention will have much
to do with the youngest Of Worcester
labor organizations, as he Is the first
delegate of local labor union of ma
chinists ever sent to the American Fed
Grafton of Labor convention.
Local delegates TO the state conven-
ton Of the A. +. Of L. will leave this
city tomorrow afternoon at 3.45 o'clock
over the Fitchburg railroad. The con-
Ivention will open Monday morning, and
the session will continue two days, and
may hang over through Wednesday as
the amount OF business on hand is the
largest in years.
JEWELER MURDERED.
Baltimore, Sept 29-Wiliam II. Collins
aged 30, a jeweler of this city, was found
dead in his sleeping ROOM at the rear OF
his store. today, with his scull crushed
and every evidence that he had beer
murdered. BY his side lay a BLOODY
coupling pin, The stock Of jeweiry. which
is small, was apparently intact but there
nj nHttd NL.,& H. =