The times., 1901-05-15
LABOR LEADERS CONFER.
Delegates Make Unanimous De-
mand for u Nine-Hour Day.

ICt1tS1Nes Make n IMAM nous EJe
mnnd for Nine-Hour Day.
An preparations for the strike which
! is anticipated by the unions affiliated with
the National Association of Machinsts
have been perfected, and If a cessation
from work becomes necessary the work
men viii be ready to lay down their tools
on Monday morning next. During the last
two days representatives of the Machin-
cry and Allied Metal Trades National and
international unions have been in confer
ence in this city with James O'Connell
President Of the International Association
of Machinists; Samuel Gompers, Presi-
dent of the American Federation Of
Labor; John Mulhollaud, President of the
international Association of Allied Metal
Mechanics; J.. r. Thomas President Of
the Pattern Makers League of North
America, and +. ]. Lynch, Metal Polish
ers, Buffers, Platers, and Brass Workers
Union of North America
1t was decided that all workers in the
machinery and allied metal trades should
demand the nine hour day, without reduc
ton in pay, before May %, the same 10
go into effect on that date. The officers
OF the organizations decided that the men
In their respective trades would stand by
each other in the enforcement of the de-
mand, should it be necessary 10 cease
work
In view of the encouraging reports re-
ceived from large number of employers
In trades having already notified their
employees of the concession to the above
demand. no serious opposition TO the
movement is anticipated.
The conference adjourned at o'clock
yesterday afternoon, and the participants
D., hot baadT1l4 r
ters.
In speaking of the situation yesterday
Mr.. O'Conneu said:
While there may be a strike of a few
days duration, ] do not look forward to
any protracted conflict. Already we have
reports Of a very large number Of firms
having signed agreements granting our
requests. This includes many firms in
New York, Chicago, and indianapolis. This
morning I had Il telegram from New Or
leans, saying twelve firms have signed
there. Every firm in Omaha has also
signed The indications are that by May
20 at least % per cent of the employers OF
the country viii have expressed their
willingness to grant our request.
The movement for the nine-hour day
was begun by the machinists year ago.
At that time an agreement was entered
into between the National Metal trades
Association, an employers otBdlllZd llOH'
with the International Association OF Ma
chinists to the effect that on November
Is, 1900 nine and one-halt hours should
constitute a days work, and that on May
Is, 1901, nine hours should constitute
days work. The National Metal Trades
Association composes about 25 per cent OF
the machinist employers Of the country.
while the employers association Will
doubtless live up to their agreement re-
garding the nine-hour day, we have dis
pute with them at the present time re-
garding wages. one of, our agreements
with the association Is that all disputes
shall be settled by arbitration, but the as
sociation is contending that this matter
shall be arbitrated with eacn individual
firm, while the men want the matter ar
bitrated nationally Therefore the gen
eraI order regarding the nine-hour day
also provides for an increase of l2& per
cent in wages, to taskc Street on May -,
and this order applies to the employers
association a well as 10 shops outside OF
the association