The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-03-31

turbance which may even overshadow the
great street car strike OF last summer
and throw at least 1000 carpenters out OF
work. and possibly hundreds OF other
workers in the building trades in the
city.
The master carpenters met yesterday
afternoon at Elks' hall and after a con-
ference OF four hours voted TO refuse tho
demands of the United Brotherhood OF
Carpenters and Joiners for an increase Of
wages.
The meeting was attended by upward
of 100 men, comprising the big contract
ors. the carpenters and the leading repre-
sentatives OF other trades
II was evident from the tenor OF the
talk that the members of the Master
Builders and Master Carpenters associa-
tions had arrived at a decision concern
ing the demands OF the local union OF
carpenters and joiners. and II was unani-
mousiy decided that under existing con-
dittons the employees are asking more
than the employers can afford TO grant.
Demands have also been submitted by
other branches OF the trades. the plump
ers having made demand Tor sa0o TOT
Building Laborers' international Protec-
tive union having also submitted demands
which are to 60 into effect May l.
LABoR'S SHARE.
The demands OF the carpenters ana JOIN
ers are for s7lz cents an hour, and eight
hour day. time and one-haf for overtime,
and double time for holidays and sun
days -.
The buiidinglaborers ask for an eight
hour day. sih cents an hour for plaster
ers' tenders. 2sis cents an hour Tor NOR
tar mixers and carriers, and 20 cents an
hour for brick carriers.
The figures quoted are set by tne unions
a the minimum figures. employers being
allowed to pay as much more as they
like
when the demands OF the union were
frst made there was an attempt 10 set
tie the matter by arbitraton' put
said by the masters that the rock on
which the matter split was that OF union
Ism. the masters refusing TO consider
proyis4on 20 employ only union workmen.
On the other hand the men claim that
they were asked to give up everything,
ana were offered nothing.
COST OF MATERIALS.
After the meeting yesterday one OF the
u,aeters said that material, lumber. hard
ware. etc are much higher than they
were A year ago and Ht the present t-rrrt
materials are nearly, II not quite. one
third higher than the normal price. In
view OF these circumstances. which or
themselves have already proved detrim-
entail to a considerable degree 10 the
building industry. discouraging new work
20 a great extent, he said the master
builders and carpenters decided by una
ntmous vote that the demands OF the en-
ployes are unreasonable and should be
refused first and last. Furthermore.
since the resolutions were not submitted
TO the master builders and master oar
penters' association, but were sent 20 the
Individual contractors. no notice Will be
taken OF them by the association or its
members. ne declared.
At the meeting OF the union NJ Music
hall last week Frank Duffy. general sec
retary-treasurer OF the Brotherhood OF
Carpenters and Joiners said. III Il means
strike, then strike hard, and we Will
stand by you"
UNION CARPENTERS MEET.
Carpenters union. ss7 held an unusual
ly Important meeting last evening In La
Dor temple. Crowds streamed in and
out OF the hall. All came 10 learn the
outcome OF the demands recently made
on the master carpenters and builders OF
this city.
While the union was aware that GER
tain action had been taken by the mas
ters at It's meeting held In Elkes hall
yesterday afternoon. the union IN the ab-
sence OF an official answer he~dtated In
taking any definite action that may pre-.
cipitate a difficulty
The men were instructed IN the mean
time how 20 act. The recognized strene-
th OF the carpenters unions in this CITY
Will not tolerate individual bargaining
with the workmen. Another meeting OF
fhe carpenters Will be held Wednesday
80 uk<.rs af~ff .rflI ~ n.
have n positive effect on the controver-
ey. Notice OF the meeting win be pub
lshcd IN The News.
Twenty three were admitted 10 mem
bership last evening. The committee
appointed 90 devise a benefit feature fo-
the union was discharged, the union de-
siding 10 use the funds for other pur-
poses.
The conference committee appointed
20 meet the masters wac accorded a una
nAnow vote Of confidence for the stand