Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-13
BUTCHERS Walk OUT BRYAN GETS A GOURD
Strike Unexpected by Packing Declares That Fitting En-
Houses and Abattors. bIem of Republican Policies.
AGREEMENT WAS PENDING "a BIG STICK" BUT HOLL LOW
Day Demanded by Work Pleased With
Pact arme
ULTIMATUM TO EMPLOYERS RAISING CAMPAIGN FUND
Gven-Men
Out Are Admires
Strike Unexpected by Packing
Houses and Abatt0irS.
AGREEMENT WAS PENDING
Nine Hour Day Demanded by Work
men in New Pact.
ULTIMATUM TO EMPLOYERS
No Warning Given-Men to Stay
Out Until Terms Are Accepted.
Trouble Over Initiation Fee.

Washington is in the midst of a labor
war.
Meat of the home packed and cured
varieties may be scarce commodity on
the stands of the markets before The
week is ended
About 125 butchers employed by the
different Washington packing houses
and abattoirs went on strike this morn
ing
So sudden and unexpected was the
move that their employers were totally
unprepared to meet the emergency. Nc
one seemed able this afternoon to pre-
diet just how long the trouble will con-
tinue nor to anticipate the result
The whole matter at issue has been
pending since June 30. on which date
the agreement terminated under which
the union men have been working for
about five years past. At that time the
packers demanded that the union abro-
gate its rule which placed the Initiation
union in turn demanded that their
working day be reduced from ten to
nine hours.
Neither side would agree to the terms
of the other. Until yesterday afternoon
work continued on the old ten-hOur
basis. pending what was expected to be
an amicable adjustment
Strike Without Warning.
The union, Local No. 14s, Butcher
Workmen, held a meeting last night in
Bessler's Hall and threw veritable
hombshell of surprise into the camp of
the packers by presenting an ultimatum
in which it was declared the new con-
tract as prepared by the union would be
the only In, ho fl,f,y
and that no workmen would report until
definite announcement of the intentions
of the packers had been made.
And II this action came unexpectedly
still more embarrassing condition this
morning. The workmen made good their
threat without further warninG-not one
butcher putting in an appearance at his
accustomed place at the opening hour.
In fact, not all the employers even re-
ceived copies of the ultima tum. The
walkout to those not notified was the first
intimatfon' that the workmen had issued
their def.
Late this afternoon Charles G. Pfuge1
Of the Rosslyn Packing Company, secre-
tary of the Washington Association oi
Packing House Managers. gave out a
copy OF the notice sent by the union to
employers. This instrument reads as fol-
lows:
/ ne ultimatum of Local 49, Butcher
Workmen, Is that the new contract il all
that We will stand for and the old con-
tract will not be adhered to whatever
and no man will report until We have a
definite answer at once from you.
Respectfully,
:'EXECUTIvE COMMITTEE.
George Bakersmith, secretary"
Attitude Of Employers.
In addition. Secretary Phuger issued q
formal statement in explana tion of the
attitude of the packing house managers
follows:
Besides minor changes the new con-
tract calls for one hour less work per
day. without any reduction in wages.
This morning no men reported at the
five local packing houses.
Some time within the past year. the
butchers union has raised the initiation
lee TO 81. which had the effect Of keep
ins away from this city butchers looking
81 n.Uiuyment. After our contract with
the butchers union expired, June 30 last
W" offered to renew the contract if i,
would reduce the initiation fee to s..
Notwithstanding that business, espe-
clally in our line, is extremely dull, and
that We have tried unusual means to pro-
Flde WORK. we have been unable to rur
fuIt time lately. and because OF the high
price OF live stock. which makes it very
uncertain as to profits.
NJ quitting time yesterday We had NO
id'" mat the men would Strike today con
sequently we were wholly unprepared az
We haNr considerable live stock In the
pens We think the men acted unwisel,
III making additional demands at such an
lnopportune time and anticipate very lit
ti' trouble in getting all the butchers we
need
Packers in Quandary.
According to members of the Packers
Association the Butchers Workmen are
much more interested in retaining In their
bylaws the rule which establishes the
mutation fee into the union at 80 than
they are in securing the concessi ion Of one
honr decrease in the length Of the work.
ing day II is pointed out that the uniof
Worknen are thus enabled to retain al.
most undisputed control Of the local field
butchers frequently come to this city
IN search of employment. 1t was claimed
but few of them are In possession Of tht
necessary S25 to secure membership In
Local No. las. Up to the present time al
of the packing houses have been working
as closed shops, and the stumbling block
suit Of curtailing the supply of labor ever
IN times when extra help may be needed
, The members of the Packers Associa
ton probably will hold q meeting thi.
evening to determine upon common
course of action. Several individual pack
ers were interviewed today, and. while no
desiring TO be quoted particularly. II wa.
obvious that they were exceedingly bitte
AZ what they CONSIDERED an unWarranteC
action by their employees.
Ii had been tentatively understood thai
he questions at issue were to be sub
mftted TO arbitration. but the sudden &C
~ of the butcher workmen practically
eS ,inates the possibility OF a settlement
by such means. More than one packing
house manager was of opinion this after
noon that plenty of labor can be Sc
cured elsewhere. but none seemed willing
10 anticipate the meeting tonight by in
fimating that the open shop will be de
clared in answer to the stand of tn
union.
Because CT the predicament in which
most of the ps-kers find themselves OIL
account OF the walkout-with much liv,
stoAk on hand awaiting slaughter ant
with ather necessary work to be done
the packing houses tonight will affort
rare sce1es of activity. The managers ex
pect to take charge of their establish
ments in person and direct the labcrs o
: an emergency force Of workmen draw
from the ranks of the meatcutters ans
clerks of their stands in the public mar
ketS.
The packers affected by the strike ar,
the Washington Slaughtering and Coz
Storage Company, the Loefher Sausag
and Provision Company. the \. Auth Pro
vision Company. Golden & Co. and th
kosslyn Packing Company.