Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-13
i'm LABOR.::::::c|RCLES
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The movement on the part of employers,
especially of the metal trades, to reduce
wages and increase the hours Of labor has
given rise to the belief that a bitter struggle
is to occur between capital and labor. The
labor unions throughout the country openly
admit that this is the condition of affairs
and add that they are fully prepared
for the fray. The labor leaders have been
mindful of the warnings and have made
provision for the contest. The affairs of
the organizations have been conducted on
a more economical basis the last few
months than ever BEFORE with a view to
accommodating funds for the maintenance
of extended strikes. A majority of the cr-
ganizations are in a prosperous condition,
with funds in hand for the payment of ben.
efits.
1t is claimed that employers are repudiat-
ing trade agreements which were thought to
be 'ironclad." The labor leaders attribute
this action to the recent developments in
the "open shop" controversy. AT this time
of the year all trades are more or less at a
standstill. but, 1t is declared, that there is
more pronounced cry Of dull times tho
present season than ever before. This cry
Is heard in practically every branch of 1n-
dustry Employers. 1t Is claimed. have
given notice that after certain dates their
esta blishments will be operated as "opea
shops" and on a ten-hour basis.
Particular interest is at present directed
to the Fox river valley in Illinois, near the
city of Chicago. The manufacturing en-
ployers in that section it is charged have
assumed an arrogant attitude toward labor
Unions, at the same time ignoring their
trade agreements and informing their en-
ployes tina they will be expected to work SIS
individuals more hours at decrease in
pay.
The American Federation of Labor and
the International Association of Machinists
are wide awake to the situation The Off
Gals and representatives of the federation
and the machinists, together with those
OF all the other metal and machine indus.
tries. are gathered in the Fox river valley
sect1on In large numbers. All have explicit
instructions to call strikes the moment a
hrm puts in effect order to increase tho
hours OF labor and decrease pay
~ IN the last few days one firm in Joliet.
Ill. 1t is said. ignored its agreement with
the international Association of Machin-
lists, which specified that the establishment
should be CLOSED or union shop and
that nine hours should constitute a DAVIS
LABOR The firm gave notice that 1t would
not hereafter recognize the union and that
all employees desiring to remain in It's SER
vice would have to enter into an individual
agreement providing for a ten-hour day
and decrease in pay. The union machin-
lists refused to be parties to such dOcu-
| ment and Immediately inaugurated a strike
Employers of Batavia, H., have locked
out 1900 employees of all caIlings because
of their refusal to sign individual agree
ments to work as many hours as the firms
deemed necessary at decreased pay The
lockout affects machinists. molders, pat
tern makers. blacksmiths. etc. Indica lions
point to similar action the part of the
employers of Elgin, Genoa, Aurora, Har-
vey and several other towns outside of
Chicago and in the state of Ohio. Labor
| 10 IN w hi ,eyt - hoo 30
fore the end of the week that the ranks of
the locked out or striking workmen have
been increased from 1900 to 1900 in the
Fox river valley section.
President James O'ConneI Of the Inter-
national Association of Machinists makes
the charge of Wholesale repudia ton of
| trade agreements by, the employers of the
| metal trades. He stated that the labor
unions will fight to prevent return to the
ten-hour work day If the times are dull,
he argued, there sholild be decrease in
, , hours. He further stated that the employ
ers have never approached the labor lead
ers upon the question of reducing wages
during dull period. The la Dor unions, he
stated, are willing to be consulted on such
a matter. If it is proved that the times
are dull the workmen. he says, will accept
a reduction in wages ION the condition that
the hours of labor are. reduced proportion
ately AS for the International Association
of Machnists, 1t is prepared to fight an ex-
tended battle with the employers on the
question of increase in hours and reduction
in pay. 1t pays a weekly strike and lock-
out benefit of So to single men and 81 to
| married men. 1t is further stated that the
labor unions are cooperating with each
other. with a view to repulsing any move
of the character indicated on the part of
the employers.
1t ia understood that the officials of the
American Federation of Labor are in con-
ference with the officials of the Treasury
Department relative to the enactment by
nno nf adm
immigra ton law. resolution was adopt
ed at the recent convention in Boston of
the American Federation of Labor direct
ing the officials to confer with the Treas
ury Department on the matter. The reso-
luton was introduced in the convention by
Mr.. E. j. Roche, delegate of the Central
Labor Union of this city.
The brotherhood of Painters, Decorators
and Paperhangers of America Is preparing
the biennial amendments to its constitu-
ton, which are to be submitted to a ref
erendum vote of the membership Of the or
ganZation for their consideration. Among
the amendments to be submitted to vote
are several calculated to improve the finan-
cial condition of the brotherhood and place
it in position to carry on the work of Or
ganzation In a more effective manner In
letters received in this city General Secre-
taryTreasurer M p Carrick stated that
there are other amendments to be offered
which, II adopted. will utterly paralyze the
efforts of the union and will compel 1T to
abandon all attempts to organize the non
union men of the craft and will leave the
organization without a dollar to assist To-
cal unions on strike or locked out
The brotherhood has a membership of
s. 900. two-thirds of whom have become
affiliated within the last two years. The
organization received a per capita tax of
fifteen cents per month, and upon that
sum the organization pays general office
expenses, salaries and expenses of general
officers. organizing expenses, death and
disability benefits. and lockout expenses
The brotherhood officials are advocating an
increase in the per capita tax, with a view
to placing the organization on more solid
financial foundation.
Columbia Typographical Union, No. lO1, and
the typothetae Of Washington. d. c., have
entered into new trade agreement. The
parties to the agreement for the purpos
of preventing confusion and misunderstand-
| ing between their respective members and
for the purpose of establishing permanent
scale of wages to be paid. have Endorsed
the scale of wages now provided in the
schdule Of the union, as applied to the