The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-09-21
RIGCERS
GO OUT ON
STRIKE
Those Employed by Baker &
Co. on Nav Power House Of
Rhode Island Co.

There Is a sman sized strike in prog
ress now at the new power house of the
Rhode Island company. on the river front
just below the Point street bridge, In
which the Ship-riggers' union and the
firm OF A. ]. Baker & Co., are tho dis
putants.
Last week when the union met for It's
usual session all the members were very
wroth and indignant at the manner IN
which the agreement between them and
the firm just mentioned had been dis
regarded. As the men considered the
circumstances. the more indignant they
became and the outcome OF the session
was the Inauguration OF the strike. The
trouble now is but the echo OF the strike
instituted last May when there was a
dispute with the same firm.
At that time, in the terms OF settle
ment, there was clause which Mr..
Baker signed to the effect that in en-
ploying men for the future he would
make a preference OF union men and only
use non-union men I'm case OF emergency
when no others were available. Upon
such an understanding the men returned
to work. Since that time, however re-
peatedly the agreement has been broken,
the last occasion being only a few days
ago.
At this time work being slack, there
were several union men out OF work and
awaiting an opportunity 10 return. Such
an occasion came and several men ap-
piled. but were turned down for nom
union man. This last thrust seemed 10
hc the straw that broke the camels
back" for at the meeting II was decided
that IT was time TO protest and to hold
the firm TO it's contract
Everything was progressing smoothly.
and when his attention was called to the
matter. Mr. Baker appeared perfectly
willing 10 rectify the wrongs until Mr..
Smith. another member Of the firm. inter-
vened and prevented a settlement. II was
then decided TO insist upon the living up
10 the agreement and to resort to every
means in the power OF the union to bring
about the desired result.
The m n are striking now for the prin-
clp!e or the thing, since they say that
Mr.. Smith Is an enemy of the union and
has teken no trouble to conceal his en-
nifty ever going so far as tn accept every
available occasion for casting slurs upon
the organization and its members. and.
as II were. goading them on 10 taking the
action they did. Even though III eagree-
ment had been broken several times pre-
vious TO this and there had been repeated
conferences and warnings as To the course
affairs were taking. IL was not decided
to inaugurste the strike till Mr.. Smith
vowed to break up the union I'm two
weeks. Then II was thought to be time
for some definite stand to be taken and
hence the strike.
At present there are only four men,
bosses, employed on the work. while Mr..
Smith is in Boston trying 10 import men
TO complete the job. The business agent
OF the union states that IL necessary oil
the men employed on the building Will be
called off and general strike inaugur-
ated. II such thing does occur work
will be at a complete standstll for this
will call out the Bricklayers. Carpenters,
iron workers, and the painters.
The Central Labor union will very likely
have the settlement I'm charge for the next
few days IL a special meeting OF the body
can be had II is anticipated that the
strike will be of short duration, but the
men are prepared TO fight the situation
out to the end for the sake of the rights or
the case.