Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1910-01-20
lockout Turned into . Stake.

EHOrtB were continued last week 10 emo
the labor troubles in the granite industry
OF Washington county, that had been ty-
ing il up for over two months. The
Barre end, which is the big end OF the
business, took the lead by seeking to,set-
tie the affair on its own account without
regard to the branches in other towns.
But when the committees Of manufactur-
ers and union met it was found that the
former had one Montpelier representative.
To this the union objected and nothing
resulted.
Then the union held q mass meeting
and voted to present to the manufacturers
not only a set OF regulations as to the use
OF the surfacing machine that caused the
initial walkout at Northheld, but de-
mand for practically new bill Of prices
AZ cents an hour for cutters in summer,
40 in winter, with half-holiday Saturday
the year around. Cutters are now get
ting 3s cents, under an agreement which
does not expire till March, 1911. The
union, however, claims that the manufac-
turers, by ordering q general lockout
without first proposing arbitration, vio-
lated and vitiated that agreement and
that another must be signed before they
will resume.
The manufacturers made an important
counter-move Friday when they decided
to call the lockout of and open the stone
sheds and quarries the first day of this
week. Notices OF the decision we're sent
to Waterbury, Barre, Montpelier, North
field, Williamstown aud East Barre.
Only union men will be allowed to re-
turn. This action on the part of the
manufacturers took away from the dis
pute its two-sided aspect and the whole
question OF whether work shall be re-
sumed was put up to the granite cutters.
The manufacturers made the same offer in
regard to the use of the "bumper" that
was made to the Mortified branch at the
beginning OF the trouble. The demand
for an increase in pay was not considered
by the manufacturers when 1t was decid-
ed to open the works to the union men.
By declaring the lockout off, the manu-
lecturers have admitted their tactical err
ror at the beginning, but have not yield
ed the remaining point at issue over the
use OF the bumpers them
with suction fans to remove the dust.
They claim this is impractical and that
they have conceded enough.
The Barre and Montpelier branches Of
the Granite Cutters association at rncet-
ings Friday voted to stand by the demand
for an increase in pay and did not con-
slider the proposition Of the Manufactur-
ers' association that the union men re-
turn to work Monday. The prospects are
that the strike win be long continued.
The Leland granite company Of Barre,
which employs so cutters, announced Sat
urday their withdrawal from the Granite
Manufnctnrers' association, thai they bad
sigLed the new bill presented by the cut
tiers and that their sheds would be open
for business Monday morning under the
new conditions. The Leland company
has some unfinished contracts on which
there Is a heavy forfeiture II not complet-
ed within a given time. This Is the iirst
break among the manufacturers Of Barre.
An Italian concern Of Montpelier had
previously Withdrawn from the associa-
ton and opened its sheds on the unions
terms.