The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-02-18
|NOODWORKERs AND
CARPENT ERs WON I JOIN
CONFERENCE LOOKING TO UNION
HAS FAILED.
Negotiations Have Been Pending Be
tween the Two Trade Organizations
for six Years, eliminating in the
Conference Which Sat Three Days
and Agreed to Disagree.

NEGOTIATIONS which have been pend
ING over g. period of six years, having
for their object the uniting OF the
Amalsamated Woodworkers of America |
and the United Brotherhood OF Carpen-
tiers and Joiners, have failed and the
breach between these organizations IS
as wide as ever. Three days were spent
in argument by the representatives OF
labor present in an advisory capacity,
+. before it was seen that it was lmposs1-
BILE to reach an agreement.
John Wahlquist, who has returned
from Indianapolis, where he attended
the meeting of the executive board OF
the carpenters, was present at the con-
ference. While expressing disappoint-
ment that nothing was accomplished IN
the way of getting the rival organlza-
tions together, he still hopes that the
American Federation Of Labor, which
will take the question up, will eventu-
ally succeed in it's efforts pour Oil
on the troubled waters.
Mr.. Wahlquist said that the wood
workers were not ready to consider the
proposition to join issues with the
brotherhood. The former were anxious
that a trade agreement be formulated,
which would give them control Of GER
tain lines of work, which the carpen-
tiers are not willing to relinquish, but
this the latter refused to consider I'M
less definite time was set for an ANAL
gamation Of the two bodies.
Propositions were submitted by each,
neither of which the other would &C
cept. The woodworkers submitted a
proposition that all factory woodwork
ers now members of the brotherhood,
remain such unless they voluntarily de-
sired to transfer their membership;
that the woodworkers be conceded the
right to organize the unorganized
workmen turnout the country without
interference; that for the purpose of
establishing closer relations fraternal
delegates be exchanged at the conven-
ton Of both organizations, and that fu-
ture relations be determined by the
conventions Of the two unions.
The brotherhood offered a counter
proposition that trade agreement be
entered into to expire July l, 1906, Of.
ter which the woodworkers would have
to join the carpenters organization and
be entitled to all the benefits now paid
carpenters.
President Gompers assisted the con
ference committee in the work of draft
ing form Of trade agreement which
provided that finally cooperation
unity or amalgamation may be accom-
plished.' This form provided that thu
question should be submitted to refer
endum vote Of both organizations, ant
If not ratified that the representative
meet again within ninety days, so tn
efforts to bring about harmony woul'
be continued until a satisfactory solu
ton was brought about. This agree
ment provided also that during tn
tendency Of negotiations the general of
ficers of both organizations should us
their best endeavors to the end that al
hostilities against the other shout
cease. 49, -...~..
Among other things done by the ger
eral executive board, the bonds Of tn
general officers were renewed; a $40
900 bank account was opened with til
Columbus National bank at Indianapt
lis; contract was let for printing til
official journal; over 100 trade agre
portions Of the jurisdiction; appea
A4ohl oOSio1OhS VI ChC SC11O1 al SCS1 CIc%1
in regard to the payment Of funer
benefits were considered; twelve a.
peals from awards made by the gener
president were heard, and much 9TH
business was taken care Of. The boo]
were audited, and found to be correc
and the financial condition of the 0
ganization is better than ever befor
Numerically the organization
stronger.
Reports to the board from all par
of the jurisdiction were of the san
bright tenor, indicating that the OF
look for the approaching season is !
garded everywhere as exceptional
bright and encouraging.
Announcement was made in the pre-
dispatches some time ago that NJ
York building trade unions has enter
into an, agreement which would expi
on Jan. Of each year. This is wro1
Mr.. Wahlquist informs T h e ourn
that the new agreement was made
eighteen months, and that the contra
period expires July 1. Chicago c.
penters have just concluded an ayr
n,ent extending over a period Of Thu
years with the principal contractors
that city. This year the carpent
will receive a raise Of cents an no
while for the succeeding two years
raise Of 21a cents for each will be Civ