Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-05-14
President O'Conrell's Opinion About
the Impending Trouble.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE STRUGGLE
Labor Leaders in Conference Over
the Situation.
HISTORY OF THE MOVEMENT

There is no halt in the strike prepara-
| tions of the National Association of Ma
chinists. James O'Connell. the national
president of that association, and Samuel
Gompers, president of the American FEEDER
alton of Labor, have spent the day holding
conferences with representatives of five of
the allied metal workers trades final
conference was I'm progress when this re-
port was closed. 1t is understood that at
this conference a policy will be determined
upon and an address issued outnning the
| exact course these allied trades will pur-
sue in the impending struggle.
The trades represented at the confer
ences today are the patternmakers. the Al
lied Metal Trades International Union
blacksmiths, metal polishers. glassworkers
and boilermakers
President O'ConneIl on the Outlook.
Asked regarding the outlook at the pres
ent moment, President OConnen said this
afternoon:
Il am of the opinion that there may be a
strike of a few days duration, but I do
not look forward to any protracted con-
| f1ct. Already we have reports of a very
large number of firms having signed agree
ments granting our requests. This includes
many firms in New York, Chicago and In
dianapolis. This morning had a telegram
from New Orleans, saying twelve firms
have signed there. Every firm I'm omaha
has also signed. The indications are that
by May NJ at least - per cent of the en-
ployers of the country will have expressed
their Willingness to grant our request.
Progress of the Movement.
THE movement for the nine-hour day
was begun by the machinists a year ago."
continued Mr.. O'Connell. AT that time an
agreement was entered into between the
National Metal Trades Association, an en-
ployers' organization with the Internation-
al Association OF Machnists TO the effect
that on November IS, 1900, nine and one
half hours should constitute days work,
and that on May Is, 1901, nine hours should
constitute a days work. The National
Metal Trades Association composes about
% per cent of the machnist employers OF
the country.
The international Association of Ma
chinists felt that we were discriminating
against the members of the above employ
ers' organization unless We made an effort
to reduce the hours in the factories in trade
opposition to them. Therefore, an order
was issued by the International Association
OF Machinists January / of this year
setting May 20 as the date for the general
introduction of the nine-hour day I'm the
trade.
Dispute Over Wages.
while the employers association will
doubtless line up to their agreement re-
pute with them at the present time regard
ing wages. One OF our agreements with
the association is that all disputes shall be
settled by arbitration, but the association
is contendng that this matter shall be arbi-
trated with each individual firm, while the
men want the matter arbitrated nationally.
Therefore the general order regarding tie
nine-hour day also provides for an increase
Of 1872 per cent I'm wages, to take effect on
May %, and this order applies to the sm-
ployers' association as well to shops out
side of the association.
These demands We regard as perfectly
reasonable. The machinists trade Is one
which requires the highest skill of any
trade known to the world. Ii is not proper
ly compensated, and it is worked too long.
This, We believe, will be recognized by "m-
ployers generally. We have the pledged
support OF the American Federation cf
Labor, both moral and financial. and the
future would seem to be bright for
cess"