The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1909-12-23
NOT SETTLED YET
Meeting of Committees From Dis.
putting Bodies Productive of New
Proposition But Nothing Tangible
Results.


papers, statements made by officials
of both the Granite Cutters Unions
here and in Northfield and the manu-
facturer's were to the effect that
while "some progress was being
made, nothing like an agreement had
been reached. Indications point to
closer drawing of the lines, but
member and officer of the Granite
Manufacturers Association stated
positively last night, that many diff
ferences still exist between the men
and their former employers, the
claring away of which will be a diff
cult matter.
The granite cutters in this city,
who were locked out following the
strike of the cutters of Northfield on
November 12, met at their headquar
ters in the Opera House block yes
terday afternoon and during the
meeting a letter was read froln
James Duncan, international secre-
tary and treasurer of the Granite
Cutters Union, as follows:
1T is mutually agreed and to 5c
insisted upon that the hand surfacer
is to be used in careful and intel
ligent manner, water is to be
sprinkled on the part of the stone if
the machine is cutting, broom is to
be used at all times to remove the
dust, as per article of the regula
tions, and the machine must be op-
Grated so as not to cause physical
discomfort to nearby fellow work.
men. The use of the machine is not
to be insisted on if workmen object
to using it or made compulsory in
sheds, but objections to it's use with
the foregoing precautions is not to
be made on underhand heads, in diff.
ficult places or channelling. There
shall be no discrimination used
against any person or persons on
either side of this controversy. These
regulations to be Immediately put
into use, copy of them posted in
all sheds where the machine is used
and are to be binding on both
parties for the uneXpired term Jf
190S-1911 agreement. We recommend
that the recent suspension of work to
terminate on the adoption of this reg
ulation."
On the face Of it, this letter seemed
to be encouraging, but there is ap-
parently misunderstanding some
where. However that may be, when
journal reporter was talking with
CYCLES Wishart, secretary of the
Barre Granite Manufacturers Asso-
citation, last night, he insisted that
no agreement had been reached, bur
that things were progressing SLOW
ly," explaining the phrase by saying
that the atmosphere is being some.
what cleared.
A committee from the Mortified
Cutters Union and one representing
the Barre Granite Manufacturers
Association met at Northfield yester-
. day afternoon, but according to
statements made by Mr. Wishart and
James Powers, president of the
<union, after the conference, neither
side agreed upon any proposition
submitted. The union men submit.
ted a proposition embodyng practi-
cally all that is contained in the let
ter of Mr.. Duncan, quoted above, bui
they also insisted that the bumper
was not to be used in any way in the
sheds from October 10 to April Is ol
etsch year and that from April Is tc
October Is of each year it was not tC
be used on underhand heads, il
hard places or on channelling work
The union committee also insisted
that in the future if any trouble
should arise in any other place out
side of Northfeld, that is, if the unior
men in this city or any other place
should strike or be locked out by
their employers, it would have abso
lutely no effect on the agreement be
tween them and the manufacturers.
1t was stated last night at The
headquarters of the Barre Grant,
!. Manufacturers Association that thu
proposition was turned down by the
associations committee and that tn,
matter would not be referred to a
today's meeting of the association
which comes at o'clock this after
Roon. Other matters in connection
tn the strike and lock out will b,
Rsidered, but as the committe,
|h went to Northfield yesterda.
empowered to act without refer
e to the association as
ole it will not be necessary to re
Ort the result of the conference.
There seems to be a general fee;
ing among the union men in this cit,
that the Northfield strikers shoul,
not remain so inhexible in thci
demands, many believing that al
agreement could be reached if tn
Mortified men were willing to sub
NIT some of their claims to compro
mise. 1t is perfectly we'll under
stood, of course, that the Northfiel'
union has modified some of its origin
Ndemands and it is also we'll under
Stood that the granite workers out