Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-03-17
OUT OF WORK.
Over Twenty Thousand Men
Idle at New York.
Labor Troubles Again Threaten Me-
tropoIis' Industrial Trades.
! Several Disagreements Between EN-
picysr and the Employee.

New York. March 16.-Labor troubles.
as result of which many thousands
of men dre idle. again threaten the in
dustrial world and the situation is eX-
Dected to become as serious as the
memorable troubles of a year ago. In
the building trades it is estimated that
already 10000 men are out of work.
and that the number will be increased
almost daily. In addition, the print
ing trades are threatened by the atti-
tude of the photographers, 1000 of
whom are expected to be locked out
throughout the country before night
fall.
The dissension In both these trades
is caused by Il disagreement over arbi-
tration agreements with employers and
involves the absolute recognition of
the unions, the eight-hour day and the
open shops" The difficulties are Il
repetition of those, last year. but it is
conservatively stated they are of
greater magnitude and Il settlement
can only be made that will be final and
for all time.
The building strike was inaugurated
by the mason laborers who claim that
it was caused by their employers post
ing notice cutting down overtime
charges. The plan of the employers.
they assert, is to inaugurate an "Open
shop policy. The latorers were quick
~ supported by the bricklayers and the
allied trades. The housesmiths We're
followed by riggers, steamftters, boil
cr makers and inside iron workers as
well as Il number of electrical workers.
The Mason Builders Association says
that as soon as complaint was entered il
Withdrew its notice and contends that
if the laborers had any further complaint
they should have waited to submit it on
Friday next, when Il hearing was to be
had of all grievances. The Mason Build
ers, Wednesday. issued an ultimatum to
the Bricklayers' Union to return to work
but it will not be generally Obeyed.
The employers have fixed March Is as
a date for the meeting of their arbitration
board to take up the laborers' demand,
which is for absolute recognition of their
union. an S-hour day and double pay for
overtime.
The trouble between the photographers
and their employers has reached a climax
after a years controversy. An arbitra-
ton agreement was sought by the en-
plOyers which the union leaders alleged
was scheme to prevent strikes and re-
duce wages. The employers sought to have
the agreement signed individually but the
unions refused to vote on the proposition
and asked for several hours delay to
come to an agreement.
The employers said that, unless the
unions as a body agreed by midnight to
accept the arbitration plan, artisans
would be asked, Wednesday, to do so in
dividually and those who refused could
the matter stands.
This is the busiest season of the year
for photographers. Their work covers cv-
magazine Illustrations.
One of the members of the Lithograph-
crs' Association said that the agreement
has been submitted to the men in every
shop in the city.
The men will be given in each case
to the end of the week." he said. Il
wish to insist that there is no lockout.
The shops will not close. We wish the
men to occupy the same places they have
been occupying and to this end their
places will be kept open for them. We
intend to have questions at issue sub
mitted to a general arbitrat ton plan. We
want union men in shops that are union
with no lowering of the wages or hours
in force
The various unions of the allied lithO-
graphing trade organizations held confer
ences, tonight and decided not to accept
the arbitration plan proposed to them by
the employers association.
The arbitration plan was submitted in
dividually. today. to every workman en-
ployed by {; member of the association
and they were told if they did not accept
TIL" plan they would be locked ont. The
men were given until Saturday to render
the decision.
~ Beverley Smith. secretary of the
National Employers Association. said.
tonight. that the employers had done ev-
er-thing in their power to bring about a
fair settlement with the men. Now, he
said every man must individually sign
the agreement by Saturday or consider
himself discharged. The employers would
not recognize the unions as organizations.
If the men refuse to sign the agree
mcnts more than 10000 men will be locked
out. The lockout will affect the entire
United States and also Canada.