The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-05-25

CONTRACTOR ROBINSON VISITS THE
CRESCENT CITY.
win Pay Carpenters Three Dollars
for Eight Hours work and steady
work IL Assured.
Especial to The Post.)

New orleans, May A.--The Picayune
today publishes the following:
/, s. H. Robinson. one OF the foremost
carpenter contractors. arrived in New
Orleans yesterday to get men. He did
not come as Mr.. Maxwell. the representa-
tive OF the ST. Louis Transit company, to
!, than had he registered at Hotel Dene-
chaud. Mr. Robinson said he was after
skilled mechanics. and he wanted them
to take the places OF the striking carr
penters in Galveston.
He carried full credentials from the
Galveston Builders exchange, signed by
President Fred Hartei and Secretary
George w. Outterside OF that organiza-
ton.
Later in the day Mr.. Robinson went
around to the Mechanics, Dealers and
Lumbermen's exchange. where he met a
number OF the boss carpenter contractors
OF the city and learned the local sltua-
ton.
He wants to send iltty men to Calves
ton at once.
This trouble OF ours broke out May
l." related Nr. Robinson. reviewing the
case with the lobby men. "The boss car
penter contractors of Galveston were
notified that the iourneymen carpenters
would demand 40 cents an hour for an y
hour day That meant $500 for the mini
mum wage to the poorest men and more
10 better men.
-Four or 1--we years ago the carpenters
of our city struck for an S-hour per day
scale from the g-hour, and 80 cents per
hour. The contractors met the demand
and the S-hour day was acceded t0 With
out murmur. That gave them an earn
ing OF $3.50 per day for the minimum and
many made SO day.
They were receiving those wages when
they struck May for 10 cents per hour.
The Buildenrs' exchange considered the
request and decided that it was out OF
the uuestion--it was ont of all reason
the 30 cents demand. The exchange Of
fered 30 cents an hour as a minimum
and then Increased that to 80 cents, pro-
vided the men would return TO work on
Wednesday. May Q. Their answer was
that they would not listen to any PROPOSE
ton that offered less than 40 cents an
hour. The exchange said II would not
give the price, and , am here to get men
who want 70 work on an S-hour basis
and at the above named figure"
Have any Of the other trades struck?''
queried the reporter.
The painters and timers are out. and
the skaters and other trades will follow
as soon as the work comes on. Union
men Of any kind will not work for bosses
in the Builders exchange"
Then a general strike o. all union
workmen 10 threatened in Galveston"
Exactly So"
What Is the demand Of the painters? ''
They are nov receiving $3.50 a day
and they demand 50. The timers have
stopped work In sympathy
How many contractors are in the ex-
change"
Twenty six, I believe"
There are outside contractors. are
there not?"
About eight. l should say. all Of whom
are small fries, excepting ONE
did they accede to the mems demand?'
Yes they are paying the 40 cents al
hour on the S-hour basis"
Did not Houston have carpenter
striker"
Just over 1t now, and they settled OF
basis Of $3.50 for eight hours. That /
what makes the demand Of the Galveston
men 20 exorbtant and ridiculous. Their
Is Houston only a stones throw away
and her carpenters have settled for 81 50
far under what our men We're already get
ting Oh, We will fight this thing!"
But the 35-Gent offer Is still standing
isn't it?"
mo, sir: doubt If we ever again offe
II to those men who have tied us up No
much"
What kind OF men have you come /
New Orleans to get2'
Skilled mechanics 4 want good met
who can go ahead and do the work, an
know their business. We want nlsn VIII
can do piece OF work without the, hos
standing over them. For such men "
will pey SO for eight hours work. and L
some especially skilled a little more viii
be paid"
Nothing but carpenters2
Yes. | think I Will want some painter
and timers. Possibly still others"
Won't there be trouble as soon as yo
take new men in?"
We arranged to fully protect them
They will also be protected in their pc
sitions when the strike is over and tn,
men who go from here will he givei
steady work ana the preference ever,
time over men who have struck. Thel
demands are unreasonable"
How are the unions in Galveston?"
1T Is unauestionahly the finest uniol
city in the country. There is nothini
down there that isn't organized. We eve
have Dshwashers' union. Laundrymen'i
union and Cab Drlvere' union--Galvesto
Ia nnfnu from, ana anH m fha other