The San Francisco call., 1907-03-07

ELI Il LII ID
Beginning last Monday the printers
OF the country had the eight-hour as
sessment reduced to per cent That
means the eight-hour day is virtually
won by the International Typographi-
cal Union against the United IypoIhe-
tae. The labor movement has never
which the printers have waged for the
shorter workday. With about $4,000
members the union printers already
have spent more than $s,000,O0O In the
past eighteen months. No unlawful
ects have been committed by the strik-
ing printers and the labor world Is
proud OF the achievement Of this con-
servative body OF trade unionists.
The first assessment was put on at 10
per cent During the strike the as
sesments have been 10, Z, 8, and now
4 2 per cent This vast sum has been
collected with no hardship to the mem
bers Of the organisation. and. II neces-
sary, to bring about the shorter work
day, they could and would willingly
and easily raise as many more mil
lions. In a short time every printer
who struck for the eight-hour day viii
( be at work on these terms.
More than 1900 union machinists
! have decided by a referendum vote to
demand eight-hour day. These
men represent all the machinists in
/ Greater New York. Jersey City and
Hoboken The date when the demand
/ Is to take effect will be announced by
the Grand Lodge OF the International
| II is more than likely that the Newark
/ IN. - branch will also Join the eight
hour brigade. 1t is said that the vote
/ for the shorter workday was almost
unanimous.
Dredge owners on the great lakes
say that they Will not enter into con-
tract with the dredgemen and affiliated
workers on an eight-hour basis. This
was made very emphatic in q statement
just given out. 1t is intimated that the
open shop also will be tried. A promi-
nent member OF the Dredge Owners
Association says:
The dredge owners met and ap-
proved the action OF the executive COM
mittee in refusing to sign a contract
for an eight-hour day. Not all our
work is for the Government, consider
able being for private citizens, and
while we have no intention OF defying
4 the eight-hOur law on Government
work, we want more hours on private
work. In fact, the demands Of organ
tied labor are so high that II would be
impossible TO operate our plants with
success unless there could be some ar
rangement other than the eight-hour
day. and it may lead up to the open
shop"
In the matter of the differences be-
tween certain unions and the Central
Federated Union OF Manhattan, arbi-
trated by officers OF the American Fed
GRAFTON Of Labor and three delegates
from the Federated Union. the result
OF which appeared in the labor column
Of The Call recently, IL may be added
that the organizations not satisfied with
the findings Of the conference may
appeal to the next American Federation
OF Labor convention IL they are afaliat-
ed herewith, but in any case indepen-
dent unions must attach themselves to
national bodies OF their respective
trades, IL any exist or seek afilistion
with the American Federation Of Labor
before the 18th OF this month. Other
wise their membership in the Central
Federated Union must be surrendered
Mayor Fitzgerald Of Boston at ban
ouet Of the Street Department Union
recently informed the gathering that
the 25 cents a day increase for the 81
a day laborers would be granted this
year and he hoped that it could be put
into effect on or before May l.
Blacksmiths' Union No. 16s. Black
smiths Helpers Union No. Sl6. Point
Richmond Union No. as and Oakland
Lodge No 100 have presented a new
wage schedule to the employers. The
scale calls for 81 for blacksmiths and
So for helpers, and is TO become effec-
tive on April ]. The advance In the
schedule is about 25 cents g day. Many
of the men have been receiving the
scale which IS asked for and no trouble
will be had in securing 1t. as many OF
the employers have conceded 1t.
varnishers' and Poiishers' Union No.
1s4 held it's regular meeting on Tues
day night at 677 McAllister street, with
President L. r. Makree in the chair.
A committee from Electrical Workers
Union No. appeared and was given
the privileges of the floor. The delega-
ton went over the dificulty IL has with
the Building Trades Council After
patiently listening to the committee 1t
was decided to stand by the position the
Building Trades Council has taken and
the committee was so informed. Three
candidates were obligated and three
members were admitted upon clearance
cards. Seven applications are now
pending. The local will give ball In
the near future.
Machine Hands Union No. 1888 viii
meet in the Labor Council Temple to-
night and many matters OF Importance
viii come up. The subject of affiliation
with the Association of Machinists Will
be discussed and the eight-hour day
proposition is certain TO occupy much
time. All members are requested to be
present.
An Important meeting was held yes
terdav Of Garments Union No. 2O5-
Delegates from Stockton, Sacramento
Oakland and other cities OF the state
were present. The meeting was called
TO take some concerted action on the
proposed eight-hour day bill now De-
fore the I,eeislature other matters OF
importance TO platform men were con-
sidered and much good TO the craft is
predicted from the meeting