The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-05-21
ARBITERS FAIL
TO END STRIKE
Recognition of Union Divides
Carpenters and Contractors.
BOTH SIDES ARE FIRM
Stone MaSons May Take
Further Action.

Arbitration committees appointed re-
spectively by the Master Builders ex-
change and the Carpenters union failed
TO come to an agreement last night, at
ter short session in which the points
at issue between the contractors and
their former employees were clearly sta
ted.
The one point on which both sides re-
fuse to concede anything is the recogni~
ton OF the union The srbiters for the
contractors stated that they were willing
to grant the eight hour day and TO allow
$3.50 as the wages for that day for com
petent men, but would not bind them
I selves to employ union men. The arbl-
| tiers for the carpenters oil the other
hand asked recognition of the union 10
the extent that union men be given the
preference if competent men in their
ranks could be found with the under
standing that if non-union men were
enlployed the union should be allowed
to make an effort TO induce them to
join.
The arbiters on the part of the strikers
were Charles Rochelle. president Of the
union; J. c. White. Bert Peckham, VII
liam Youngmeyer and J. c. Thornberg,
~A--tN-~'
ters on the part Of the contractors were
c. NJ Borden, Burt Smith and J. \.
Howard.
When the two committees met behind
closed doors in the office Of Sites Bros
& Alexander, Mr.. Thornberg stated the
demands of the union as follows:
I'VE ask an eght-hour day. with
minimum wage of $3.50 for mechanics,
and the recognition of the union"
c. NJ Borden replied: we are will
ing 10 have the eight-hOur day. The
wages must be determined by merit
Later in the session, however, Mr..
Smith agreed to $50 as the scale foi
eight hours.
7. n. Howard said: 1--WE have men in
our employ who have worked with us
while you men quit. We Will not con-
sent to be limited as to what men we
shall employ. We do not propose to
inquire whether q man belongs TO the
union. There is no use of discussing the
matter. for we will not arbitrate that
point"
1--WE ask" said Mr.. Thornberg. that
union men be given the preference and
then if competent men cannot be found
in our ranks, that you have the right to
go elsewhere. We want the privilege of
getting them into the union if we can
The contractors refused to grant this
demand.
I'VE want an agreement, Furthermore"
said Mr.. Smith. one of the contractors
that none of the men we Will employ
viii go on a strike for a year
When it had become evident that the
contending parties could not agre on the
question of unionism, and the men had
risen TO their feet to depart. Charles
Rochelle, one of the union men, said:
There is no use rushing off"
He then began to make a proposition
ha fro. fore
the carpenters union, that the union
would work with other trades whether
union men of those crafts WIRE employed
o. not. Before he had finished his state
ment. Mr. Howard said:
You need not state that proposition.
know what you are going TO say, and
we will not grant your. demand" The
conference then broke up.
After the conference Mr.. Thornberg
stated to a reporter for the Eagle: I'VE |
were willing to allow thirty DAYS in |
which the men now in the contractors |
employ should have a chance to Join the |
union. our committee was absolutely IN |
instructed by the carpenters union"
The Master Builders exchange did nor /
agree to the appointment OF an arbitrn- |
ticn committee until after an hours SEES
sion. during which time representatives
OF the carpenters union and also sew |
eral brickloyers and stonemasons had |
urged that the contractors arbitrate.
A motion that committee be appoint /
ed was finally made by J. n Howard and |
carried. The Builders exchange then /
went into executive session to instruct /
its arbiters
meeting OF the union stonemasons
and bricklayers and the stone and brick
contractors who recognize the union viii
be held at o'clock this morning at 422
East Douglas. TO decide what action shall
De taken in regard 10 the strike OF the
John Campbell president OF
sne stonemasons union. stated TO a re-
porter for the Eagle last night:
We viii not GO back on our contract
ors. Tie question which viii come be-
fore the meeting Wednesday morning
will be whether we shall refuse to do I
stone and brick work on buildings the
work of which is being done
oy contractors who have not signed the
union agreement. The meeting VIII he
Of both the contractors and
their employees