The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-13
MR.. DUNCAN'S
FINE TALK
Labor Leader the Guest of
Granite Cutters.
GIVES BIT OF HISTORY
In Well. Chosen Words He Told of the
Advantages of Agreements in the
Preventing Of Labor
Troubles.
GIVES BIT OF HISTORY

/
rjson, secretary of the American Fedora
ton OF Labor, to this city three years
ago, have the laboring people been hon
cred with a visit from an official OF the
body Until last night. when Mr.. James
Duncan, first vice-president OF the a.
F. Of l.. and secretary-treasurer Of the
Granitecutters international Association
OF America, was the guest OF the local
branch OF grantecutters.
Mr.. Duncan arrived In Richmond yes
terday afternoon and was met by com
mttee from the local and escorted 10
New Ford's, where he will remain until
to-day at noon.
AN OLD RICHMONDER.
Nineteen years ago Mr.. Duncan used
| the hammer and chisel, and occasionally
the bush hammer. on government YORK
| for the erection of the War and Navy
building In Washington, over in TIE
westham quarry, across the river. He
! spent the afternoon In visiting old &C
auaintances here yesterday.
| From this city Mr.. Duncan sought HIS
| home North, and entered the movement
and has steadily risen from president Of
a local branch to his present position.
| He ranks next to President Io1npers' Oh
the A. F. OF L.
MEETING OF LOCAL BRANCH.
When President Ben Schultz called tn /.
local branch to order in Smithdeal Han,
the full membership was present. The
routine business was hurriedly disposcd
OF; and Mr.. Duncan. the guest Of the
union was introduced.
Mr. Duncan, who is OF fne physique
and fluent talker. spoke on the theme
OF "Encoura cement.
He referred to the close alliance OF the
employe Il to the employer. which nao
brought about a closer adherence TO union
principles. The conditions OF the granite.
cutters was by far better than they had
been in thirty years, and ninety-seven per
cent OF the men who worked at the trade
we're membe OF locals.
"In New England" said Mr.. duncan
.the existing circumstances are better
than ever. In three and half years the
hours OF labor have been reduced from
nina Ia eight hours, and Saturday half
holiday. with an increase Of thirty-th
and one-tilird per cent. In wages.
,.There has been only one strike IN our
craft in three years" continued the SPEAK
er. land this was occasioned by unfair
stock and at that the cost to the union
was only 800
.Au oyer the country we have agree
ments from one to FIVE years Of duration.
| This is a condition we can be Justly PROUD
| Of, for it takes a ninety days notlce lroIll
either side before the agreement can pc
onened again, thus avoiding strikes and
| 1nckouts. In these bills are incorporated
nlans for arbitration, thus ensurlng
double guarantee against any unpleasant
''s =, THIRTY YEAR CAMPAIGN.
ia Congress- !as esa for the
day. which had failed utterly, and SAID
that three years ago the granite o cutters Ter.
notified their employees that in 1903 they
,.o,,ld inai1p11rate the system as trade
Condition. and to-day his craft employed
shorter hours through their o own cam Gam
tons tons existing in the Dominion OF Can;
ada. where the clergy and poll ticans hnd
h inE the N members Of the 4. +; Of = as
foreign agitators and how when Presi-
dent Gompers had entered Montreal 4
turned out en- masse and greeted him.
President Gompers addressed that day
10000 people and to-day three labor union
This, he said. had pacif1ed the brethren
across the border against the so-called
foreign agitators.
and his address was .replete with inter,
esting Information and at times he waxed
e'oqu LUNCHEON SERVED.
After the meeting the members repaired
to Sanger Hall. where Lawer served an
elegant luncheon.
PTeSlueHt oCuultc Pcslucu LooS'-
master and Mr.. Duncan again made an
address to the union and invited guests;
He In most humorous strain, referred
to the granite cutters as the 'preservers
OF the art preservatiye." and delyed into
ancient history to show that his craft
were the first union!sts.
Doherty and Organizer W. H. Mullen
made addresses. which We're happily re-
ceived. During the evening Rein Orr
men, were presented to Mr.. Duncan.
Mr.. Duncan will leave to-day at noon
for his home In Washington.