The times., 1901-05-18
PREPARING FOR A STRIKE.
MRchinists Issue nn Address Defn-
ing Their Position,


ing Their Position.
The executive officers OF the Interna-
tional Association of Machiuists held
meeting last night and drew up an ad-
dress explanatory of the position taken
by the association in it's demands upon
the National Metal Trades Association
for shorter hours of work and no decrease
in pay. The address is in part as follows:
From time immemorial the great goal
to which united labor has struggled, and
to which it has given its best effort, has
been in the direction of a shorter working
day. In the majority of crafts-both
skilled and the so-called unskilled-this
effort has been uniformly successful. and
they have, for number of years, en-
joyed the pleasures that come with g.eat-
er leisure. Machinists, owing to the fact
of their isolation in the past from the
labor movement, have not enjoyed this
right and privilege until now, after dec
ade of education, they have concluded
that the time has arrived when they, too,
should share in the same enjoyments. In
reaching this conclusion, and in seeking
similar favors, they know they are not
stretching their demands beyond the
bounds Of reason. or seeking something to
which they have no valid claim.
TO the uninitiated u few words ex-
planatOry of the position the machinist
occupies in the domain of productive la
Dor, and in connection with a shorter
workday, may not be out of place Owing
to the peculiar nature of our trade and
the great inroads made into it by the in
PRODUCTION of more perfect machinery a
great deal more is now produced than
ever before. THIS increased production
Hsv,HR ~
years, but in spite of this, no material
or permanent increase in wages has been
secured by the man who manipulates
the machine. He produces more. but re-
ceives no more than he did formerly
Now the demand is made for fairer
share of what we produce, by shortening
the workday by one hour without any
decrease in pay.
This demand is not made without due
warning. Twelve months ago notice was
served on the manufacturers of the
United States that on Monday. May 20
1901, the international Association of Ma
chinists would demand nine-hour day,
and that if the demand was not granted
its members, and those in sympathy with
them, would suspend labor until the de-
mand was granted. We do not advocate
a strike, with all the attendant mistakes
Of the past, but merely peaceful cessa-
tion of labor until we can start work on
q nine-hoIr day basis.
we appeal to our fellow-craftsmen to
rally with us in this effort to elevate our
manhood. to make of us exemplary citi-
ZelS, to make our homes more homelike
with our presence, and to show the world
that we, too, have aspirations little
higher than the brutcs and scarcely
lower than the angels
The address is signed by James OCon-
nell, President; d. Douglas Wilson, Vice
President; George Preston. Secretary
Treasurer; Hugh Dorah, Arthur ".
john J. Connolly, and p. J. Con-
ion, the General Board Of Trustees, In
ternationaI Association of Machinists.
In order to be present in Washington,
and TO sign the address Mr.. Doran came
from Chicago. Mr. Holmes from Canada,
Mir. Conlon from Sioux City, iowa, and
Mr.. Connolly from Boston, all of them
here yesterday Afternoon.
From the statements made by them il
seems that. if the strike takes place, the
most trouble is to be expected In Gin
cinnati, San Francisco. and in the north
ern States along the Pacific Coast.
President O'Connell received yesterday
many telegraphic communications from
all over the country, informing him that
firms had signed the agreement submit
ted by the workingmen He intimated
he had heard unofficially that the Off
cials of the National Metal Trades Asso-
citation desired to reach an agreement
which would allow disputes TO be settled
Dy districts. Inc employers at nrSt took
the stand that disputes should be settled
by each rirm individually with it's en-
ployes. The position of the machinists is |
hat the firms shall treat directly with the /
abor organizations President OConnell |
said that If the proposition to settle dis |
)Utcs by districts was officially made, it |
would receive earnest consideration. He |
stated further that though this PROPOSE |
ton would be considered, it would not |
postpone the strike, nor would the strike |
order be recalled unless a general agree |
nent to the demands OF the men was OBJ |
-ained.