The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-20

True to their promise Of last Wednes-
day night the IT'S union bricklayers in the
city struck this morning because they
were not supplied with union helpers, and
building operations approximating an in
vestment Of 100000 have been either
indefinitely delayed or have been entirely
abandoned.
The stonemasons will not strike
The action Of the Bricklayers' union in
declaring this strike. In sympathy with
the building laborers who have been on
strike for higher wages and recognition OF
their union since Aug. 6, prec1pitates a
crisis in the local labor situation which
both the contractors and the better ele
ment in the trades unions have sought to
avoid.
The sympathetic strike was not de-
clared until the bricklayers had held two
lengthy meetings for the discussion of the
subject and until the contractors and the
committees representing the striking Ia
borers, the bricklayers and the stonema-
sons had held two conferences without re-
suit. .
Fight VIII Be Long One.
AS the Master Builders association
comprising. the large contractors, has de-
clared its inability to accede to the build
ing laborers' demands and has prepared
itself for long struggle. the final effect
of the brickIayers' action of this morn
operations in Minneapolis until next
spring, unless the union men should de-
eide that the position taken by the brick
layers this morning is not wise one.
Since the Building Laborers' union
struck for wage scale of % cents an
hour and recognition Of the union, 1t has
made overtures to the Building Trades
Council for admission and to the Stone
masons' union and the Bricklayers' union
for the aid q sympa thetic strike would
afford.
The stonemasons have twice refused to
endanger their livelihood by striking in
sympathy with the laborers, but the brick
layers voted week ago to strike this
morning unless every helper working with
them bore union card. BY vote of 81
to 66 the Bricklayers' union last night
decided to stand by its position taken q
week ago.
Non-UnIon Helpers on Hand.
When the bricklayers came to work this
morning and found nom union laborers
still In the employ Of the contractors, they
Immediately walked out.
This action brought to a standstill work
on the Pflaum and Kingman buildings or
First avenue N, near Fourth street, anc
practically stopped work on the Jewish
Synagogue at Tenth street and Fifth ave.
nue. q, and the reservoir which the Bard.
well-Robinson company Is building at
cost Of $4,000.
1t stopped all work but the painting OF
the big street railway powerhouse at thu
east end of the Tenth avenue bridge
and much of the work on the fedora
building, to which two stories are being
added. The Deering building, at Second
avenue s and Sixth street, has been a
a standstil since the building laborer
went on strike, and no work has beef
done on the street railways office build
ing and powerhouse at Eleventh stree
and Hennepin avenue since Saturda!
night. The Franklin Avenue Presbyterian
church and several residences in process
of erection cannot be completed until tn,
brick work has been finished. :.
Negotiations Prove FruItless.
Hoping to avoid the approaching crisis