The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-05-05
The CORNICE men
RETURN TO WORK
BUT OPEN SHOP WILL CAUSE
ANOTHER WAEK-oUT.
Present Strike Was Not Fully Au-
thorized and Was Called OFF in the
Interests of Fairness employers
Not Likely to Insist on Open Shop.

AS result. of two meetings held
last night at Alexander's hall, the
strike Of the cornice-makers affiliated
with the sheet-metal workers was de-
clared off this morning and the twen-
ty-eight men who have been idle since
the first of the week will probably
go to work to-day.
The first meeting was that of the
executive committee Of the Building
Trades Council. Representatives of
the striking metal-workers were pres
ent. 1t was discovered that the strike
was unauthorized and the quitting Of
work was in violation of the rules of
the Building Trades Council. The
rules provide that no trade shall quit
work in any shop or on any job with
out the consent Of the council. The
cornice-workers had not asked for
such permission. When their mis-
take was pointed out their represent
sheet-metal workers. which was in
progress in another room, and it was
finally voted to return to work.
The trouble arose over the ques-
ton Of the open shop. Some of, the
employers favored the plan. All but
seven Of the hfty-eight shops in the
city signed the agreement for the year,
and less than thirty men were affected
by the strike.
employers. UiClnaCC1a.
The Builders and Traders Exchange
met Tuesday afternoon, at which
time the following address to the
sheet-metal workers was drawn UP:
May 8, 1904. .
Metal Workers Local Union No. 40
Dear Sir: The Builders and Traders
exchange Of Minneapolis, Mimi, hereby
notifies the Sheet Metal Workers union,
No. 40, that a resolution was, this day,
passed at the regular meeting of this ex-
change that all sheet metal workers now
out on strike must be ordered back to
work by Monday morning May 9, or gen
eral lockout Of all union employees en-
gagged in the building trades in this city
will be ordered. Yours truly,
Builders and Traders Exchange.
| BY w. A. Stromme, Secretary.
It is thought that the action Of the
union in deciding to go back to work
will avert strike in all of the build
ings are in course of construction and
a strike or lockout would prove dis
astrous to the city at this time.
Don't Accept Open Shop.
In speaking Of the open-shop ques-
ton, Philip Carlin, secretary Of the
Building Trades Council, said this
| morning. Inc dCL1On taken Dy the
| sheet-metal workers and the Build
ing Trades Council does not mean
that we have accepted the open shop
by any means Any attempt to force
the open shop will result in reopen
ing the discussion. It was discovered
that a mistake has been made in this
instance, and fairness demanded that
the men go back to work. The Build
ing Trades Council will fight the open
shop, should an attempt be made to
institute It," @
When asked regarding the proba-
BILE attitude of the Builders anc
Traders Exchange on the matter, Sec.
rotary w. A. Stromme said: II can.
not speak officially for the exchange
and can only give my personal opin.
ion. That would be that the open
shop question will not be forced. The
4 Builders and Traders Exchange is not
looking for trouble. The open-shor
proposition was not preached at the
recent meeting and I do not think thai
It will be called UP at the adjourned
meeting scheduled for Saturday. Some
members might introduce it, tho, anc
am not prepared to say what nigh
be done. I am of the opinion, how
ever, that the members will be con
tent to let well enough alone