The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-12
PHONES AND WHEELS
Spokane Plumbers Are Prohibited
From Using Them.
SAVE TOO MUCH TIME FOR PUBLIC
Masters and Men Opposing Forces in
Strike--Feline or Two Opt
of the Bag.
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal.
Spokane, Wash, April 12.--The supreme
test between the master plumbers asso-
citation and the plumbers union,. which
has declared a strike, will come in a short
time. The master plumbers say they are
DESTROYS OF forcing the issue as to wheth-
er or not the other building trades will
stand with the plumbers. An official Of
the trades council, said yesterday there
was little doubt that the strike of the
plumbers would have the support not only
Of the building trades, but of organized
labor generally. and that If the mast er
plumbers, none of whom has union
working card, attempt to finish the con-
tract themselves, there will be a general
strike Of building trades.
Members of the master plumbers asso-
citation say that the union has adopted
a studied policy in the past to delay work
TO give employment to more men, and to
make work last much longer han is nee
essary. AS proof Of their assertion they
call attention to several of the shop rules
which have been in force for a long time,
and for which the union is still contend
ing.
One OF the rules Of the union is that
no man shall ride a bicycle going to or
from his work, or in any way connected
with his work. This rule, say the master
plumbers, is adopted to prevent CELEBRITY
IN going to and from work.
Sald one OF the master plumbers last
night:
Suppose that hydrant in some mans front
yard needs repairing. 1t is necessary to put
III new stopcock, and the pipe has to be
aug out ALI that is necessary to do is to
unscrew the old stopcock and put in a. new
one. we keep man around to dig trenches,
but although he is capable Of handling such
job and it would take that man only ten
mil fne
minutes at the outside to do it, he isn't al
lowed to do the work. On the contrary a
member of the union has to be sent out to
do it. II possible the union prefers that the
plumber stand over the trench while if is
being dug. He only does ten minutes work
that the laDorer could do as WELL but he
must have time allowed from the moment he
leaves the office until he returns
Another method which the union follows
to delay work is the refusal to use the tee-
phone in consulting with the master plumb
ers. When the slightest consultation is nee
essary the man on the job will take off his
overalls, walk into the office, no matter how
far it may be, consult. and walk out again.
He will not ride unless furnished car tickets
His time goes on all the time.
Members Of the union have adopted sys-
tematic policy Of showing up at the shop
instead of at their work every morning Oh
pretext OF consultation. They appear at the
oAuce ~ o y CluCh, aWulCu Is the time Tor
going to work, and have to be furnished car
tickets to their work, else they walk. This
is where the bicycle rule comes into play.
The bicycle regulation Is one OF the printed
rules Of the union.
IL plumber finishes job at noon and Is
not specifically laid off, he appears at the
shop at 1 o'clock and charges two hours
time II there is no afternoon work for him.
Forgetfulness to tell him not to go to work
in the afternoon does not constitute an ex-
cuse. He must be ordered in specific Lam
guage before or at the exact hour when he
knocks Off work at noon, he has his two
hours allowed him In the afternoon for COM
ing to the shop for the purpose of being told
that there Is no work for him during the
remainder of the day.
When man Is sent out of town he is al
lowed full time for time spent in travelling.
His board must be paid in addition to his full
wages II he goes over 100 miles he takes
Pullman sleeper and the union compels
the master plumber to pay for it, as we'll as
for all meals purchased on the train and at
eating houses.