Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-02
FIGHT IS ON FOR
THE CLOSED SHOP
UNION CARPENTERS F0RMU-
LATE NEW DEMANDS
Increase in Wages and Half Holiday
Practically Conceded, but Build
ers Declare Against Union
Proposition

"Beginning TUESDAY morning union
carpenters will decline to work with
non-union men. The scale will be 81
day, with Saturday half holiday.
We do not expect any serious trouble
in securing our demands. Fired Wheel
err secretary Carpenters union No.
1853.
I'VE will not allow the closed shop
in Los Angeles. That is one question
we must fight to finish."-WiIliam
S. Daubenspeck, president Builders
exchange.
Opinions expressed by a representa-
tive on either side of the controversy
indicate fight over the "closed shop
proposition by building contractors and
the carpenters.
Yesterday the union carpenters of
Los Angeles, numbering between 2SO0
and 240O, laid down their tools at noon
with the intention not to return to
work next Tuesday unless their de-
mands for "a day, Saturday half holi-
day and closed shop are met by the
contractors.
contractors VIII HeSlSt .
On the other hand, the contractors
connected with the Builders exchange
declare, through President Dauben-
speck, that the demand for a closed
shop will be fought to the last.
1.-The better element of the union men
say it is wrong TO make the demands
at this time" said President Dauben-
speck last night. "Some Of the hot
headed ones may make trouble, but
there are too many non-union men in
the city to permit of the strike becom-
ing a serious matter, and there will be
more coming If the strike continues any
length of time. The union scale now is
$3.50 per day. but many carpenters are
receiving 81 and some as high as $3.50
day. These are the wages am pay
ing my best men, and 1 employ union
and non-union men without distinction.
Many of the other contractors are doing
the same.
"There is not so much objection to
the Saturday half holiday or the in
crease in wages demanded, but we will
not allow the closed shop in Los An
geles. That is one question we must
fight to a finish"
Talks for the Carpenters
Fred Wheeler, secretary of Carpen-
ters' union No. 1853. said last night:
''The Saturday half holiday went into
effect yesterday and there was no
sputtering about it, either. have been
in the movement twenty years, and it
is the cleanest event of the kind l ever
saw. A great many of the contractors
are paying 81 per day.
"Beginning Tuesday morning union
carpenters will decline to work with
non-union men. We do not expect any
serious trouble in securing our de-
mands. The employers are conceded
the right to dispense with the services
of union men. Many of the contractors
now run union crews. These will con-
tinue to do so, and we expect others to
follow their lead. There may be a
slight disturbance in building opera
tions for week or two, but not longer.
Union carpenters in Los Angeles num-
her between 2S00 and 2400. and we are
running day and night shifts taking
men into the union. The situation could
not be better from our point of view"
Others. Are Involved
In addition to the Carpenters, several
hundred bricklayers, plasterers and
other workmen yesterday inaugurated
the Saturday half holiday movement
and declare that hereafter 1t will re-
main a permanent institution The
plumbers will inaugurate their Satur-
day half holiday next Saturday.
Opinion Is expressed at labor head
quarters that the half holiday question
easily can be arranged and that there
viii not be a general labor disturbance
Labor to Take Day on
Tomorrow will be Labor day, legal
holiday in California. and many pic