The Tucson citizen., 1902-07-23

duOptluH VI lHS union scale OI wages
than had any other office in the city.
The original scale was adopted June
20, to take effect July Is, and The
Citizen had only the same notice there
OF that the Star and all other offices
h ad. AS originally adopted, the
scale prohibited all piece work. but on
the representation of all the employers
particularly kimball & Francis-that
such scale would exclude a number
OF home printers, and compel the i'm
portation OF more expert workmen, who
would be more profitable to the en-
ployers at the same wages per day,
the union modified the scale for hand
composition, permitting piece work.
but advancing the price therefor abont
30 per cent This was acceptable to
the employers. and the scale was i'm
mediately signed by all except the
Star, and the signatures OF the other
three offices were exhibited to the Star
proprietor In an effort to induce him
TO sign the SAME scale.
Lie No. THE Star was not discrim-
mated against in the scale. The de-
r1and of the Star for a piece scale on
aachlge work was refused for two Or
three excellent reasons. First, the
efficiency and speed of an operator on
a linotype machine depends largely on
conditions beyond his control, but
within the control of the office employ
ing him. The output OF a machine
can be and Is varied from 30 40 so per
cent by the cooperation or lack OF CO.
operation of the employer in providing
proper facilities for work. Experience
wi'h the management of the Star had
taught the members of the union that
nothing but a straight time scale
would protect the machine operator In
that ONCE. Second. the absence OF q
gas plant In Tucson, and the conse-
1uent compulsory use OF gasoline or
Kerosene to melt the metal used In the
linotype, and the impossibility OF con-
trolling or regulating the heat with the
burners used in the consumption of
such fuel oils, which greatly interferes
with the speed of the operator. makes
piece work impracticabIe except at
rates greatly In excess of other cities
where like adverse conditions do not
obtain, Third. piece work is con-
demned by the international Typo
graphical Union, by whom the Tucson
union is chartered. as tending to de-
velop freaks and eventually to diminish
wages. and all local bodies are urged
though not compelled. to adopt a time
scale. The adoption OF such a scale
did not affect the Star alone; the Cit
lzen operates linotype machine. and
pays the scale submitted TO the Star.
Nor does the adoption of such a scale
work any. hardship on the EMPLOYERS.
Esch employer Is entitled to employ,
the swiftest and most competent man
obtainable at the union wage scale.
ne Star says that one man can set
twice as much as others Then Why
not employ these extra swifts. and pass
over the slow men. who. according To
the Star. are not worth the amount Der
day fiXed by the scale? The union did
not insist. or even suggest to the Star
that 1t should employ any particular
printers, or in any manner restrict its
choice except to specify that they must
hc union men. d
AS for the dead line. or minimum
quantity" demanded by the Star, such
a provision would NOT only be unjust
IN view OF the local and general CON
dltions cited heretofore. but is posi-
lively prohibited by our national body. |
The employer is amply protected In be- |
Ing permitted to employ the best and |
most profitable men obtainable, and 10 |
change them at pleasure.
The demand OF the Star that the I
union guarantee to furnish help when |
required by that Office was equally un-
resonable and childish. The uninn
'dh rot manufacture men to order. nor
ioes II keep them packed away in bar
''' or tied up in packages and laid
away on shelves ready to deliver on
an. The cooperation of the union
VIII 90 far toward aiding to furnish
competent help at all times. and that
cooperation the union was ready and
Wiling to guarantee the Star. And
when union help is not obtainable. any
mployer is entitled to employ such
ther help as may be available until
ondiuons change. The plea that
here were no competent printers avail
ble in Tucson to take situations in the
tar office does not cut much figure. in
lew of the fact that that office is con
family importing men. and that not
ne of It's force in It's mechanical de-
artment at the time the controversy
rose had been in their employ or in
tucson three months.
With the differences between The
'itizen and the Star. or with the busi.
ss rivalry between those two papers
re mon has no direct concern. The
tsfement that the action of the union
VAS IN any way in collusion with the
ltlZen. or was sugge sted by or taken ,
n the interest OF that paper, is a pal
'atle aII t1ntempt.b'e falsehood. Tac