The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-07-08
EFFECT OF THE MEETING.
Members of the Builders Exchange
Say It Will Not Cause Them to
Change Their Policy in
Any Manner.

Considerable difference of opinion
exists among the majority of persons
who have followed the course of the
carpenters strike since June 1 as to
the effect the mass meeting held in the
armory on Thursday evening will have
upon the general situation. The con-
census of opinion appears to be that
while it probably had the effect of in
creasing the enthusiasm and hope
fulness Of the men it will have no ef-
feet whatever upon the stand taken
by the Builders exchange. This lat
ter opinion is borne out by the state
ments made by the members OF the
exchange themselves.
Secretary Laudig stated to a Trl-
bune man in the exchange rooms yes
terday that he had called up every
member of the exchange by telephone
in the morning, asking them their
opinion in regard to the meeting. He
reported that without exception they
said that they would stick to their
present position.
e. S. Williams, one of the promi-
nent contractors in the city and a
leading member of the Builders ex-
change, was seen by a Tribune man
yesterday afternoon. Mr.. Williams
spoke at some length and his remarks
may throw some light upon the stand
taken by the exchange.
He said that the mass meeting would
have the same effect upon the exchange
as water upon a ducks back. He
was of the opinion that it was not a
meeting of citizens, but rather of strik-
ers and that the resolutions were
passed by the latter. In regard to
the arbitration proposition, he stated
that he believed he voiced the senti-
ments of the exchange when he said
that this would not be considered for
moment, as there was nothing to ar
bitrate.
The arbitration, he said, took place
long before the strike occurred, when
at a meeting of representatives from
both bodies, the builders gave the
strikers a final ultimatum that their
demands would not be acceded to. In
fact, he characterized the arbitration
scheme as almost nonsensical.
In regard to the statement made at
the meeting by j. F. Hammes that
there was a general tie-up in force, he
pointed to the bolt and nut works,
near which he was standing and upon
which a number of men were working.
There's an example of the tie-up,
! he remarked, 'and there are a num-
Der Of other buildings being erected
in the city, despite the so-called tie
up. OF course" he continued, 1--WE are
| hindered to a certain extent, but as
to the statement that there is a COM
plcte tie-up, it is nonsense.
1T is simply a question as to wheth-
er or not the contractors shall hire
| union or nOn-union labor and we are
willing to fight it out along this line
If it takes all summer"
He said that the exchange was close
ly united for the reason that the
Building Trades council was such a
well organized body that for a sim
gle contractor to attempt to fight il
would be mere folly. He referred to
the methods of the strikers as being
arbitrary and domineering.
In conclusion he stated that the only
| concession which the exchange would
make, If it could be called a conces-
sion, was to give the men back THEN
! old positions if they gave up the strug-
| gle.