The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-06

BUSINESS TIED
UP BY STRIKE

New York, Aug. 6.-Lithographic
work and printing representing thou
sands of dollars is tide up In this city
as consequence OF the strike OF iitho-
graphers and assistants. At this time
OF the year. much colored calendar
work is done for delivery In the fall.
and unless the orders now I'm hand can
be promptly filled the loss TO the en-
ployets will 1T Is said, be considerable.
Contracts for the delivery for this as
well as other lithographing usually
contains a strike clause" but there is
nothing TO prevent the customer can
ceiling his order IL the work is not
delivered on time. The employers do
not conceal the fact that the strike is
likely to cause them an immense
amount amount OF trouble, but they
insist that the fight is TO a finish and
say preparations for such a contin-
gency were made weeks ago, when the
Employers association met in Pitts
bury and raised a strike fund
The president of one OF the largest
lithographic concerns I'm New York last
night estimated the number of strikers
in this city at 5000 and the total out
through the country at 10000 or about
two thirds OF the whole number OF men
engaged as photographers. or directly
associated with this branch OF the
business.
The week opens with little prospect of
an early settlement OF the trouble few
non-urlon men have been brought to this
cit yfrom other places and will be put TO
work today, but IL is not expected that
they will be OF very great Importance in
the operation OF the plants. The largest
plants are said to be peaceably picketed
and plain-clothed officers are stationed in
the vicinity fthe establishments, but
nothing I'm the way OF violence has been
attempted or is anticipated
Both sides OF the controversy give diff
ferent explanations OF the trouble. The
strikers insist that they seek only a
shorter work day and conditions consist
ent with the class of work in which they
are engaged.
One OF them last night tersely stated
the unions claim as follows: I'VE are
skilled workmen and our employers adj
mth that comparatively few men can
gain the proficiency necessary To make
success in our trade. We demand the
treatment accorded generally TO skilled
workmen. We are compelled TO work nine
or nine and a quarter hours a day when
Il Is generally conceded that eight hours
constitutes a day's'wo for skilled work
men The lithogfaphing business was
never before as good as IL Is now. We
want a just share OF the prosperity OF
the business.
1--WE propose TO fight IT out on this line
it Il takes all summer-or late into the
fpli'"
On the other hama representative EN-
ployer said last night: THE length of
the wok day is not involved in this dis
pute. The demand could be easily ad-
justed had the men accepted our offer 10
arhitrate and no doubt some concessions
woulc have been made. The point at is
sue is the substitution of the open for
the shoped shop. There are not lithog-
raphers enough In the country TO handle
the work during the busy season, and
there never will be. under the system OF
apprenticeship IN vogue in the closed
shop This is because the union will not
permit sufficient new men to learn the
trade TO offset the mortality aiming the
older men. Working eight hours a day
we could not possibly hll our orders. What
we want is more photographers, but we
cannot introduce new men except through
the apprenticeship OF the union. Now
what we propose to establish the open
shop, hire experienced men wherever we
can encourage young men TO learn the
business