Evening star., 1901-09-06
STRIKE NOT YET SETTLED
PAPERHANGERS AND EMPLOYERS
FAII. TO AGREE.
Statements Upon Part Of Both AssO
ciations-Enorfs to Get Work.
men In Other Cities.

ciatiOms-EROffs to Get Work.
men In Other Cities.
The Master Paperhangers Association
held meeting In their quarters this morn
ing which lasted over two hours. Reports
were rendered showing the extent OF the
strike and also the effect on the different
houses Of the city. 1t was reported that
there appears to be a wavering In the ranks
of the strikers. This, It is said, is evinced
by large number OF the men returning to
their work at the wages paid them before
the strike was called. Concerning the ques-
ton Of securing outside help by the asso-
citation, 1t was stated that although the
number secured in Baltimore was only five
men. all Of whom are said to be at work.
still the fact that they were secured was
accepted refuting the assertion OF the
strikers that the men could not be secured.
or. If procured they would have to be
members Of the union.
The association members claim that the
prevailing rates In two Of the cities In
which they have endeavored to secure men
to fiji the places vacated are such that
there is but little doubt that enough men
Will be brought here within day or so to
meet the demand. The wages paid In Bal
tfmore and Philadelphia were quoted. the
amount in Baltimore being $3.50 and in
Philadelphia 81 for a days work of nine
hours.
Yesterday an agreement was entered into
between representatives of the Master Pa
perhangers' Association and a gentleman.
who, 1t is said. has plenty Of financial
backing, in one Of the cities visited by the
representatives, by which he bound himself
to supply one hundred men to the associa
tion. This morning, it Is said, the agree
ment was confirmed and the contract was
adj ind hot thn pfi
Feature of tho Strike.
1t was stated today that one Of the mer-
chants who has not been troubled by the
strike from the fact that he is paying his
men by piece work, was approached by
number Of the strikers yesterday and asked
to give them employment. Needing hands
the merchant was about to put them to
work. but upon inQuiring OF them where
they had last worked and for what reasons
they had quit. he was informed that they
were members Of the union and also that
they were out on q strike at the time. Upon
receiving this information the merchant
decided not to place them on his pay rolls.
AS soon as this action was brought to the
attention Of the assembly all Of the men
then at work for the party named were
ordered out
The clause Of the constitution recently
printed in an interview with members Of
the assembly was referred to this morning.
1t reads as follows: "The standard wages Of
the members of this assembly. also the
number Of hours which shall constitute
days work. shall be such as the assembly
may determine upon from time to time,
but any member who may feel himself In
competent Of commanding the highest
wages may, with the approval Of the as
sembly by two-thirds vote Of the members
present, be allowed to work for such sum
as he can command as rated mechanic"
etc. Commenting upon this members Of
the association state that the time has yet
to come for any individual to inform an
employer of his incompetency. and that the
association has at different times endeay-
ored to have this clause put into effect, but
without success.
Although it has been stated that the men
are Idle for four or more months during
the year, yet claims were made by several
members of the association that their men
were not out Of employment over a week
or two throughout the year. This fact was
brought to the attention Of one Of the men,
bers by his employees.
Circular Issued.
The following letter has been addressed.
1t is said. to the striking Paperhangers'
Assembly by the Masters Association:
There is a great difference in the grade
Of work done by the present and prospect
I've members of your assembly. Some can
hang only blanks, and then only when ma
chine-trimmed. -
Some can go no higher than to hang in
grains without using knife. Some can
hang all the medium grades of paper, but
cannot hang tints, press goods burlaps
room holdings. plate rail- etc. While there
are others who can do all the above, st1n
we believe you VIII agree that the latter
are greatly In the minority.
I'VE. therefore. feel that to Increase the
minimum rate OF $3.50 per day for all
workmen is more than the majority are
qualified for.
You are aware that the master paper
hangers appreciate the work Of the skilled
mechanic to that extent that they have,
and will. volunteer to pay wages over and
above the present union rate of 81 so per
day.
1T Is the sense Of the Master Paper
hangers Association that the present rate
Of $3.50 per day Is fair and sufficient for
the average workman. and that the Mas
ter Paperhangers' Association will not paw
the increase asked for
Views Of the Strikers,
The striking paperhangers held a we'll
attended meeting this morning at No. 600
G street northwest, and after adjournment
stated that they had no Information to
give out. In reply to questions, they, how
ever. admitted that President II. ]. Wells
and MI samuel Knott: both Of their or
gan1zation. were In Baltimore doing what
they could to make the strike a success
1t Is understood that Messrs Wells and
Knott went to Baltimore yesterday morning
to combat the efforts of Mr. E N Rich.
ards. representative of the Master Paner-
hangers. who, 1t is said. was there to in
duce workmen to come to Washington to
take the places Of the strikers Similar ef-
forts. 1t Is stated. are being made in Phila-
delphia and New York by other represen-
tatives Of the masters association and a
committee Of two has been sent to each of
those cities. 1t is alleged, In the interest Of
the striking employees
Mr.. Wells Is said to have stated in Balti-
more that the men have been out only
since Wednesday morning. but that already
three-fourths Of the stores in Washington
have been won. He also stated that repre-
sentations are being made to the paper-
hangers in Baltimore that there Is no trou-
bic In Washington and that men are being
offered steady positions at $3.50 day, with
transportation to this city and weeks
beard free. Mr.. Wells is represented to
have said that he Is confident no paper
hangers can be obtained in Baltimore, and
that no better success will be met with in
the other cities.