The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-04-29
LABOR CONDITIONS
ARE PEACEFUL NOW.
No Disturbances Threat
ened at Opening of
Outdoor Season
WAGE SCALES
FREELY SIGNED
Reports from Industrial Centres
Indicate That There Is Har-
mony Between Capital AMI
Labor-Business Ac-
tivity Not to Be
Hindered.

NEW YORK, April 2S.-The opening
of the outdoor construction season
finds New York. both city and State,
without apprehension of serious labor
troubles. In the building trades es-
pecially prosperous and reassuring
conditions prevail. There is large and
well-met demand for both skilled and
unskilled labor. due to the extensive
private construction projects now un-
der way, and the tunnels, railway ter
minas and other Undertakings OF
/ public or quasi-public nature. This
contentment Is generally reflected in
the manufacturing and Industrial
centres. and beyond a few localized and
sporadic strikes. the labor situation Is
regarded as brighter than for many
years.
Quiet in New England.
BOSTON. April 2S.-According to
union officers and business agents OF
working mems organizations, the In
dustrial situation in New England
on May 1st will be marked by fewer
contentious between capital and labor
than for many years In the building
trades several small strikes are threat
ened in number of cities, but In
Boston there promises to be little ap-
prehension of strife in any branch of
industry.
|
members OF which are unskilled. have
registered new wage rates in Boston
and vicinity. 1t Is understood that
prospects for settlement without q
strike are favorable. The painters of
Eastern Massachusetts are endeayoring
to establish uniform wage of SO
day minimum in metropolitan Boston.
but there will be no strike in May. as
the wage question will not be adjusted
until later.
The most serious condition existing
in Boston is due to the strike month
\ tago OF teansters. In New England az
large there are several causes for un-
rest in cotton mills. and IT is reported
that an attempt will be made to adj
vance wages In Fall River mills next
i month.
Harmony in Chicago.
CHICAGO, April 2s.-The relations
between employer and employe were
probably never so harmonious in Chi
cago as they are now. In the past,
on May 1st there have usually been DIFF
ferences between the labor unions and
the employers in Chicago, but this
year there Is scarcely a cloud on the
industrial horizon.
/ Every union In the building industry.
with the exception Of the structural IRON
workers, has renewed contracts with em-
ployers. and the workers expect to
reach settlement without a strike.
Machinsts have demanded an increase
of twenty-five cents a day in wages, but
the indications are that there will prac-s
tically be no trouble in putting the new
schedule into effect. Most of the larger
firms in the city have signified a wling-
ness to grant the Increase and II any
strikes are called May 1st, they will he
confined to Individual firms The brick
makers are now holding conferences with
their employees, and will probably reach
a settlement before next week.
All Wage Scales Signed.
ST. LOUIS, MO-, April 2s.-Empoyers
) and labor leaders of St. Louis and the
j Southwest report labor conditions better
for May 1st this year than for many
years past. Practically all wage scales
. in st. Louis and the surrounding terri
tory for 200 miles are signed. In st.
Louis alone this includes 100000 union
men. The unions allied with the Build
ing Trades Council here are all signed
for the year, with the exception OF
very few men employed in small shops.
There are about 10000 men in these
unions.
Other branches of trade show n SINH
! arly good condition. The brewery work
crs, who We're on strike a few weeks
ago have now signed
; Employers and labor leaders say
5 there Will be nothing this year in local
e circles to hinder great building ac-8
:, tlvity.
No Trouble Expected.
PITTSBuRG. PA, April 2S--May
Day in Pittshurs and vicinity is ex-
pected to pass off with less labor dis
putes than in previous years Hereto
fore considerable difficulty has been
experienced between the workmen and
building trades, but this year scales
have been signed and the men arc ap-
; parently satisfied.
With the exception of the machin-l
lists. about 500 of whom are already
on strike. il is believed all the wage
scales will be amcably adjusted, Tho
machinists are striking for an increase
: of wages and shorter hours AT two
5 roundries the men are now out under
! orders from the union, and It Is said
q the trouble Will become general unless
! the union scale is agreed TO by May
: LIST.
= San Francisco Out of Line.
e SAN FRANCISCO, CAL, April 2s--
Union laho.'s new year day, May list, will
$ lind san Francisco facing serious labor
troubles. Eleven unions including every
o branch ofithe metal trades, have called
: meetings to be held between now aud
Y NEXT Tuesday night to consider the re-
. fusal of employers 10 grant an eight
Q hour day, with nine hours pay. A vote
$ will be taken to decide whether the men
. shall accept the offer of a eonttnuanco
4 of the nine-hour day, With a per cent.
n increase of wages, or go on strike. About
{ 900 men are involved.
The street car men have issued q car
for a mass meeting at midnisht TUESDAY
To take vote on the refusal of the United
, railroads to grant motormen and conduc-
. tors an eight-hour day and wage ratS
! OF SO a day, II a strike should pe Votsa.
the entire street car traffic OF the city