The Washington times., 1905-03-15
MAY Be STRIKE
Of PAPERHANGERRSS Rs
At Odds With Masters on
Question of Wages.
TO HOLD MEETING TONIGHT
Bosses Declare "0pen Shop" if the Men
Go Out Now--views on
Situation.
TO HOLD MEETING TONIGHT

With the spring season just opening,
and work and business both in sight
after . winter of unusual dullness, a
strike among local paoerhangers is i'm
ninent
The Master Paperfiangers' Association
held naeeting last night and tonight
Paper hangers Local Union. No. 420, VIII
hold a special session at which final ac-
ton VIII be taken.
1t is understood that the Master
Paperhangers Association at their
meeting last night discussed the much
nooted question, but no official action
was taken as a majority of the bosses
had already declined to accept the
propositions made by the union. Ex-
pressing their position, several promi-
nent dealers this morning stated that
they would never grant the increased d
demands of their employees and declared
that they were fully prepared to meet
the situation forced upon them.
IF the men strike it will result In
Washington being for ali future time q
city of open shops" said the members
OF one firm whose establishment ranks
as the largest retail shop in the country.
paperhangers Reticent.
Members of Paperhangers Local. Nc.
40, were retfcent as to their intentions
when approached this morning. stating
that the desires of the men would not
be known until after the meeting to-
night. That the men, too are prep red
to meet the crisis Is evidenced by their
declaration that II a strike is ordered it
viii result IN very few of their mem
bers walking the streets for lack of en-
PioyfHeft. TWO years ago. when CT
! i Strike, siXty-seven paperhangers went to
fittSDuTg III one party" said one man,
| -and we are prepared to get out again.
woTse in other cities
| The contract between the paperhang-
| efS ana the bosses, made Il year ago,
/ expired or March l. That Instrument
| specified scale of wages at 50 cents per
/ hour, or $50 per day; 60 cents per hour
/ for overtime. and double pay for work
on sundays and holidays. being the same
| scale adopted after the strike OF 1903
1T was positively stated that this
| agreement was not presented by the
unIoi: for ratification again this year
per day of eight hours was demanded.
The New Agreement
| The new agreement handed TO us foi
signature, said one boss paperhanger
started off about as follows:
BE it agreed between Paperhang.
| ers' Local Union, No. 42o, party of the
| III ftoAt dtttt tttt 1tSSNS. party Vi IEit
| second part'-and this is the first time
| have ever seen the union relegate the
| bosses to secondary place in the con
| tract. Obviously we refused to sign the
scale, ana you can say for us that We
| viii not come to such terms"
| Anyone who signs such an agreement
pats himself completely in the powel
Of the union. said another member G
this same firm, for one clause speci
fies that the working force shah not bc
| intarfered with pending arbitration o.
any question except for d sympathetic
| strike or an order TO strike from head
| quarters'-as if there could be any othel
| reason for a strike. In n WORD. we are
supposed TO agree 10 everything and th'
men to nothing
The call for the special meeting of The
| union tonight was issued by Edward
| Hoffman. the president. and q lively seS
sion in the union hall at 625 Louisian;
| avenue is anticipated