The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-08
WILL FIGHT TO A FINISH.
PRESIDENT BUCHANAN, OF sTRUCTU-
RAJ IRON WORKERS, IN TOWN.
He Is Here to Confer with Mr.. Brown,
of the Brown-Ketcham Company
Cause of the Trouble.

Frank Buchanan, president of the Inter-
national Association OF Bridge and Struc-
tural Iron Workers of America, arrived in
ISdianaDolis yesterday to confer with rep
resentatives of the Brown Ketcham Com
pany, whose men employed on the West
Washington-street bridge over White river
are out on strike. Mr.. Buchanan, since he
defeated Sam Parks for the presidency of
the organization, is known as the big
man. among the bridge and structural iron
workers, and he has reputation as con-
servative labor leader throughout the coun-
try. When seen at the Grand Hotel, last
night Mr.. Buchanan said that he was in
indianapolis in answer to a call from Mr..
Brown, of the Brown-Ketcham Company,
who wished TO see him in order to come to
terms in regard to the strike An effort
was made yesterday, Mr.. Buchanan said
to hold a conference with representatives
of the firm, but nothing was accomplished
Mr.. Brown is in New York, and will not be
in Indianapolis until to-day. when Mr..
Buchanan expects to confer with him.
CAUSE OF TROUBLE.
The trouble among the bridge and struc-
tural iron workers, Mr.. Buchanan says, is
due to the failure of the members of the
Iron League in New York to employ men,
bers of the bridge and structural iron
workers union. The Iron League is an
association of employers, which had a con-
tract with the union to employ only their
men. But, on account of the support which
the New York local gave Sam Parks dur
ing his tyrannieal days, the league has re-
fused to recognize the members of the local.
and are now employing only nonunion men,
In an attempt TO bring the New York local
into the good will of the Iron League,
President Buchanan has issued a call TO ali
members Of the union working for firms
20 %x.slr D..fI n
structural iron workers throughout the
country have been affected by the call.
President Buchanan said last night that
they had made every effort possible in New
York to adjust the trouble, but the MEM
bers of the Iron League refused all over
lures made by them. I'VE said that we
was first suggested, but the employers ig-
nored the OFFER" said President Buchanan
I'VE have done everything We could to
refused all terms.
FIGHT TO THE FINISH
Now we are going to fight them to the
finish. 1t is now their time to take the
| initiative in a settlement, and If they do so
we will meet them on any terms, but as
| long as they refuse to recognize our men
in New York we will keep union iron
workers of firms belonging to the league
| out on strike. 1t is said that the Brown
Ketcham Company here has only lost one
| days work on account of the strike That
tically nothing. l was out there two hours
| to-day, and they didn't do thirty cents
| worth of work during the whole time. The
work is practically tied up, as is tAe work
of all the employers who belong to the
! Iron League.
| MIR. Brown sent me word that be would
| like to confer with me on the strike, and
| for that reason am in town. don't know
| what terms he will propose, but If he will
| recognize our men in New York we will
Ill
hold a conference with him some time to-
| morrow