The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-03-13
IOURNEYMEN TAILORS
WILL MAKE DEMANDS
Want Higher Wages, Lesser
Hours, and No Overtime.
ORGANIZER HAS BEEN BUSY
Conditions Of the Workmen May Be
Laid Before Employers on
Monday.

Washington men who wear good
clothes and have thoughts OF securing
new raiment here for spring wear are
likely 10 meet an unwelcome surprise
within the next few days. Those who
determine. after a few more of the
pleasant days like yesterday. that they
must have their tailor make them some
seasonable clothes in q hurry. will find
that certain complications exist in the
tailoring trade between employers and
employees and that delays in production
must be expected henceforth.
Next Monday is the date tentatively
agreed upon by representatives Of the
employees for making their demands in
case all arrangements can be completed
by that time For nearly a year past an
organizer has been circulating from time
to time among these workers in Wash
ington urging them to make demands
for increased wages and insist upon
compliance with certain other inciden-
tai conditions.
Demands of the Journeymen.
Heretofore employer and employe have
dwelt in harmony. working overtime
when busy, and taking more rest when
trade became dull between seasons. Now
Il is proposed TO make the following de-
mands:
An increase in wages, amounting in
some cases to as much as Is per cent.
reduction OF working hours in the
busy seasons.
Acceptance by employers of rule for
bidding work overtime under any con
siderations.
Compulsory provision by the employer
OF workshops for employees.
Fcrbidding employees TO do work al
other places than their regular shops
PRONUNCIATION OF a schedule Of fines for
violations OF any OF these conditions.
Views of an Employer.
Commenting on these demands. we'll
known local master tailor said today 10
a reporter for The Times:
In dealing directly with our employees
we have never had any trouble worth
Speaking about. In many years expert
ence in business in Washington The
cutters and the coatmakers. the best
skilled OF all the workmen. have always
commanded good wages. and all other
employees have done we'll in proportion
All first-class taiiors look for practically
the same percentage OF profit on thei,
work. so that whatever is added TO ex-
penses only makes clothes so much tho
de6rer.
Compulsory Workshop.
The compulsory workshop idea is an
other strange feature. In many cases
garment worker prefers to keep his owl
shop at his home, where he can worl
early. or late. as suits him. and empIo,
such assistance as he needs Sometimes
several members OF a family do certain
portions OF the work and acquire ex
pertness in special lines That makes
better work and quicker delivery for tn,
customer. and larger wages for tn,
workers. II all these people were com
PEELED TO come TO our places OF business
and do the work there, Il would de
crease the output. increase the expens
of rent 10 the employer, and the cost o
the clothes to the consumer.
When trade was good we would havl
to turn people away after taking order
for enough work for a limited hour day
When trade was poor. between seasons
could not make up for it. and employ
ers and employees alike would suffe
financially. The attempt to dictate an
such rules would place a limit on IN
earning capacity OF the workers and in
convenience the public generally"
There IS an organization OF abou
twenty tailoring firms in this city, tn
members of which stand together on a
questions of policy and arrangement
with the labor interests. They hav
been aware for some time past that
move OF this sort WAS in contemplation
il has just transpired, however, tina
Monday next was under considerable
as the time when the demands were I
be publicly made, as the spring trad
is now beginning TO assume good pro
portions.