The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-05
Ii Is Construed TO Be I'm the Nature OF
m Ultimatum TO the Car
penters' Union.
MAXIMUM WAGE OF 35 CENTS
AN APPEAL MAY BE MADE To BUILD
ING ALLIED COUNCIL.
A "Code of Practice" Included in Con-
tractors Statement-TrOubIe
at lockwood Plant.

The General Contractors Association has
adopted a declaration of principles which
may be taken as an ultimatum TO the Car
penters' Union regarding their demand for
an increase in wages. The demands have
been discussed by both sides, and nothing
in the way of compromise has yet come to
the surface. The action of the contractors
has general bearing upon all trades
unions, but is especially directed TO the
carpenters. presumably because that or
ganization is greater numerically and is
pressing it's demands with greater activity
than any other. Embodied in the declara-
ton of principles is a code of practice
which sets out numerically the working
rules under which the carpenters are ex-
pected to work The declaration follows:
This association affirms that personal in
dependence of the individual TO work or not
TO work, to employ or not TO employ is
fundamental principle that should never
be questioned or assailed; that upon II dc,
ponds the security of our social fabric and
business prosperity, and that employers
and workmen should be equally interested
in its defense and preservation
while UNFOLDING this principle as the
essential safeguard for all concerned, we
recognize that there are many opportunl-
ties for good in associations of workmen
established upon correct principles and
honest purposes, but we condemn all forms
of dictatorial authority wherein associa-
lions of workmen seek TO control or IN any
way interfere with the management or the
contractors business.
I'VE believe that mechanical skill and
ability should govern the wages or work.
men the same as in other Vocations and
professions of life; that it is unjust 70 the
skilled mechanic and no incentive for I'M
provement of the poor workman for both
TO receive the same wages.
CODE OF PRACTICE.
Rule l. Eight hours shall constitute a
days work. to be made between the hours
Of o'clock a. m. and 3 O'Clock p. m.
Rule . Time and a half shall be al
lowed for overtime and night work and
double time for Sunday work.
Rule 3. The maximum wages of skilled
or competent workmen shall be 80 cents
per hour, except foremen, whose wages
shall be as per agreement between them
and their employer.
Rule 4. Work shall be suspended on
legal holidays except in case of emergency
for which carpenters shall be allowed dou-
bic time.
Rule 5. In grading the wages of men it
shall be left TO the foreman whose know
ledge of their ability and workmanship
from personal observation will enable him
to determine the matter in fairness both
to the contractor and the wOrkmen.
Rule g. Wages are due and payable at
the end of each week, which shall be paid
at the office or shop of the contractor, or
at the job where the men are at work.
These rules shall go into effect the first
of May, 1902, and remain in force and eff
feet until the 31st of December, 1902
1t is not known what effect this action
will have upon the labor organiZa tons.
With the exception Of wages, all of the
demands of the carpenters are conceded.
The union demands a minimum wage
scale of 80 cents an hour and as the con-
tractors have named that figure the
maximum wage, il is doubtful if COM
promise be effected. 1t is contrary TO
| the rules of all trades unions TO accept a
| maximum wage scale and their demands
| are always made on the minimum basis.
| This feature of the code of practice will
! give the carpenters a chance TO carry the
| matter outside of their organization and
| ask the other trades unions to assist them
! i'm combating the ultimatum.
The Building Allied Council, which has
/ just been organized with eighteen build
| ing trades unions of the city and compris-
/ ing the entire building trade crafts, will
! likely be appealed to if no settlement is
| a serious situation may be presented and
| a suspension of work on all building might
/ follow unless a compromise is reached
| The Building Allied Council declares in its
| preamble that il shall pursue a conserva-
| tive policy and its constitution and by
| laws have modified the authority of bust
ness agents so that suspensions can not be
| ordered by them and making the business
/ agents of all the unions arbitration
/ the Building Allied Council will have the
| matter TO consider and il remains to be
! seen whether or not il will be amicaby set
! tied.