New-York tribune., 1901-06-13
WAR ON MACHINIST UNION
HOURS AND WAGES TO BE TREATED AS
4 LOCAL ISSUE.
THE UNION IRON WORKS WHICH BUILT
THE OREGON, AND MANY OTHER FIRMS
JOIN METAL. TRADES ASSOCIATION.

The convention of the National Metal Trades
Association finished it's sessions the Gilsey
House yesterday. after declaring that the asso-
citation would support any member In conform
ing to the declaration Of principle that makes
the question Of hours and wages local issue.
1t was explained in the convention that the
association did not desire a conflict with the
machinists' union. but it wished TO be prepared
for any possible emergency, to have its mem
bers ready TO present an unbroken front 10 the
union and TO carry out boldly the policy Of
independence laid down in the declaration Of
principle in which all agreements with the
union are abrogated. The resolution passed in
the afternoon session follows
Whereas The declaration Of principle makes the
question Of hours and wages local issue.
Resolved, That the association Will support any
regular member in his endeavor conform TO said
declaration OF principle
AS the forenoon session began the delegation
from the Pacific Coast made the announcement
that it had received dispatch from its district
that out of 10 outside firms represented III
had signihed their willingness TO join the asso-
citation. Among these is the Union Iron Works.
where the battleship Oregon was built-a firm
employing four thousand men. This announce
ment created great enthusiasm at the conven-
ton. and was greeted with much applause.
The sum Of 100000. which was voted at the
secret session Of the administrative council on
Wedne sday night William J. Chamer chair
man FOR the press committee. said. was for the
purpose Of protecting the industry in the
United States and Canada. ana was purely
war measure called for by the present situation.
Mr.. Devens. secretary of the association said
that no representative of the Machinists' Union
would have q hearing before the convention.
Reports were received from the associations
committee on revision of bylaws and committee
on finance and strikes. OF the latter committee
William Schwanhauser Of the Worthington
Pump Company, Brooklyn. is chairman. The
other members are John W. Young and s. w.
watkins OF Milwaukee Wis; Charles Bliss Of
Ansonia Conn; w. y. Saye. of Cleveland; w.
B. Payne of Elmira. y. Y. f. q. Gilbert. of
Scranton. Penn; William Lodge of Cincinnati.
and Thomas f. Durham of Erie. Penn.
Mr.. Chalmers. who spokesman for the
convention. said that S5OOO0O more of war fund
that as all members had strike clauses in their
outstanding contracts and no part Of the
fund would have to be used to pay forfeits. the
fund would go a long way.
At the afternoon session it announced
that the following new firms outside of those
from California had Joined the association: The
Davis Sewing Machine Company, of Dayton,
Oho the Michigan Brass and Iron Works, Of
Detroit. Mich; p Basde & Co, of Worcester.
Mass; the Coulter & Mckenzie Machine Com
pany of Bridgeport, Conn and the Pacific Iron
Works. of Bridgeport, Conn.
During recess a committee on hours Of labor
was in session. 1t was said that the rate of
wages would not he considered, but would be
left for the individual firms to establish.
telegram from the Snow Steam Pump
Works. of Buffalo was read. saying that all the
men on strike had gone back TO work for ten
hours day.
The convention left the finance and strike
committee in charge of any work to be done,
subject to action by the administrative council.
The executive committee of District No. IL of
New-York of the International Association OF
Machinists issued a statement yesterday, which
follows:
If the National Metal Trades Association tries to
DESTROY the Interna tional Association of Machin-
lists as, according to its own declarations IL VIII
endeavor to do all the organizations OF labor Will
combine as a matter of self f-defence. Should we be
compelled to take further action by the aggressive
policy of the National Metal Trades Association
our strike will extend until the iron trades are
parayzed Not only will the machinists quit work.
but also patternmakers, iron moulders, electrl-
cal machnists. toolmakers and metal poliSherS ana
buffers are likely to quit work in sympathy.
throughout the United States is invited by the
National Metal Trades Association If 1t carries out
policy of trying 10 break our union as in TINS
case injury TO one is the concern or all 49,
manufacturers who have settled with the
union assist the others who are fighting the union
the strikes will be ordered over again. We nave
received a cable dispatch from the Anna alganlateu
Association OF Engineers, whose headquarters are
in Manchester England. offering us financial ana
moral assistance, the organization having mem
bership of one hundred and fifty thousand and a
Continued O third page.