The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-02-22

After u long and thorough consldera-
ton OF all questions involved, the
board OF arblters representing tho OPP
posing sides. yesterday afternoon
reached a final agreement, bringing to
an end the strike of journeymen
plumbers in Richmond. The agreement
will be in force until March i, 1908.
Ehe results OF the arbitration are
said to DO satisfactory to both sides,
and journeymcn plumbers and masters
alike express their appreciation of the
careful attention given the matter by
the three gentlemen selected for the
purpose. The hope is being freely ex-
pressed that this will be the beginning
Of a general move for the arbitration
OF all labor difficulties in Richmond,
thus avoiding long and distressing
strikes and consequent loss and SUI
fering.
The board who have considered the
matter have been Mr.. w. j. Griggs.
representing the journeymcn plumbcrs:
Mr.. Joseph Bryan. representing the
master or employing plumbers. and
Judge w. ]. Leakc, selected by the
other two. These three have had ASSOCIATE
ed with them in tho work a committee
consisting Of Messrs. II. f. Howle, +. G.
Hicks. and John j. Powell. from the
plumbers, and Messrs. j, T. Phillips,
Chris Manning, and John Z. Rose. from
the employers.
Agreement Reached.
The following paper was drawn up
at the final meeting of the board yes
i terday afternoon, and after being
signed by the arbiters in tripllcate.
copies We're sent to the committees
| from each SIDE and copy kept by
| the chairman Of the board. The paper
is a full and complete schedule OF
| agreement for term of two years.
y covering wages, hours and conditions
Of work. number of apprentices, etc.
The agreement is as follows:
! At meeting, Of the arbitrators
/ in the plumbers strike, held In The
Times Building Thursday. Febru-
airy IA, 1907, at 4:30lP. NJ, pursuant
to adjournment
Present ,;. Judge "; J; Leak &; Mr..
Griggs, arbitrators; Messrs;, ~ z.
/ Powell, representing the journey
P Psn pu% 9H & s Mannin sssr5 Jr and
John g.. Rose, representing the
master plumbers.
The arbitrator resumed the In
vcstigation Of the controversy be-
tween the journeymen plumbers,
and Tho master plumbers, and
heard the statements or both
SIDES IN eIuli ana Tree ulScuSSlou,
! especially the question Of wages.
all other points having been pre-
4 sentcd as fully as the parties to
the controversy desired.
1t was brought out in the course
4 or the discussion that there was
& a recognized difference in the cn-
cheney and skill of journeymen
plumbers, and thnt some were more more
Il others.
Rates IF WAGES.
1t was suggested by some Of the
arbitrators that an agreement
might be reached whereby there
should DO two rates OF wages, and
that plumbers Of tho first class
should be paid a rate considerably
higher than plumbers of the second
class. 1t being shown that some
agreement with their employers,
wages at 81 a day.
, A majority Of the arbitrntors cx-
, pressed a desire not TO make any
ruling which would fall to rccog-
, nizc in their decision the merit Of
men who were now receiving 81
day, but that there were other men
who, it seemed to be understood,
, could not fairly be rated so high,
!, and 1t was admitted that certain
. plumbers We're allowed to work for
y less than union wages, because OF
Q some incapaclty.
o a majority OF the nrbtrators cx-
j pressing n wish to fix two classes,
: SO that the first class might receive
n the highest wages paid. asked the
! representatives or the journcymen
plumbers If such an arrangement
could not by possibility be made
satisfactory to them.
TO this the representatives or the
journeymen plumbers replied that
!, they did not wish any discrimina-
!. ton whatever, and mat lhcy only
!, wanted one rate OF wages fixed:
that they would submit to whatever
q the nrbitrators decided, but they
: hoped no such ruling would be
made.
q nrhitrators felt constrained to hd-
st Judge that the rate Of wages should
he fixed at a rate below the amount
~ asked for ~ the journeymen. ana
ii they fixed the wages at Sa,aa per
Of more dnd there are journeymen
"a not worthy Of so much, and as no
~ Discrimination Is desired q middle
= ground is Obliged to be taken,
% It is much 70 BE- rng r,a,, /, th "a t
is cannot be made in respect to tho
merits of tho ioulncymonn. so that
ira ,neritorIous Will receive II full
u reward and the Indifferent Will BIO
81 81 stimulated to Increased efficiency.
Y, Other Points.
~ !" rho arbitrators in the plumbers
n. strike met February u, l9o7, at
L l;ao r. M, Times Building. pursu-
~ PRESENT. n w j.. Leakc, Joseph
' @. 81 All other points having been
u; agreed upon between the parties ia
Ia the controversy. except Article ],
10, Article z, Article ana Article ?,
OF articles ndiudge and determine as
Ot follows. 10Y