The Washington times., 1917-02-26
COOKS PREPARE TO
SERVE ULTIMATUM
Assert Walkout Will Follow Re-
fusaI of Demands for
More Pay.
SELECT OPP0RTUNE TIME
Resolution to Obtain conces-
sions Reached at Mass Meet
ing of Workers.
SELECT OPPoRTUNE TIME

ing OF WORKERS.
Demands of cooks and kitchen EN-.
ployes for shorter hours and more
pay will be made upon Washington
hotel and restaurant owners tomor.
row.
Unless these demands-which in
clude a 1O-hour day, Is per cent pay
increase, one day off a week and pay
for overtime-are granted, leaders of
the organized cooks, walters, and
other culinary employees stated to-
day q strike will be called.
Inaugural visitors face the prospect
of a cook-less Washington unless a
compromise is effected.
Hold Mass Meetings.
At mass meetings of both white
and co1ored cooks and kitchen en-
ployes, a decision was reached to de-
mand more pay and shorter hours. If
these are not forthcoming, Paul Cav
anaugh, secretary of the cooks union,
enrolled with the union will walk
out
This means that a part OF the
kitchen STAFF of every big hotel and
restaurant in the city will go op
strike.
Mr.. Cavanaugh claimed today one
of the biggest hotels had voluntarily
granted its cooks increases of pay
and shorter hours, without a demand
from the employees themselves. This
claim was denied by the manager Of
the hostelry, who declared no action
along that line had been taken.
Visiting Delegation.
Committees from the Culinary and
Aliknentary Federation, S11 E street
northwest, which is leading the move
ment, visited the cooks of many big
hotels and restaurants this morning and
laid the decision Of the mass meeting
of workers before them.
Most Of the cooks in public establish
ments have Joined the movement, Secre-
.tRry 'Cavanaugh declared. But those
who have been unable to attend the
mass meetings. 1t was said, have been
notified by committee members and have
assented to the general proposition of
better pay or strike.
, Demands Outlined.
Here are the tentative demands Of the
cooks, as drafted this morning. They
will be placed before hotel and res
,taurant owners tomorrow:
Ten-hour day, including meal time.
-, One day OF per week.
Pay increase of Is per cent go II
Extra pay for overtime, 60 cents per
hour.
At present. according to the cooks,
the present conditions are:
= Twelve and fourteen hours per day.
No day on.
No extra pay for overtime.
Believe Time Opportune.
Cesare Lesino, of New York; A
Muzzi, of New York, and Frank Fe-
derra, of Baltimore, compose the
committee that drew up the demands
this morning.
'Now is a good time to press our
demands" said Mr.. Lesino. ''They
are not unreasonable, and hotel own
ers are able to pay better wages"
The committee issued a statement
today, claiming that cooks and help
ers here are paid less than anywhere
else in the United States.
Even Senate Chef.
]. ]. Dyer, chef of the United
States Senate restaurant, presided at
a mass meeting of colored cooks and
helpers last night in True Reform
ers' Hall, Twelfth and U streets
northwest, and Judge r. NJ. Terrill,
District police Judge, addressed the
gathering on the value of organiza-
tion. He declared it was only by
organizing that the people who labor
can hope to get equitable treatment
from some employers.
Other speakers were ]. Finley VIII
son, c. Lesino and A. Muzzi.
The pay of an ordinary white cook,
according to figures compiled by the
committee, in Washington ranges
from $40 to 800 per month, with
meals. A colored cook gets $50 to
S75 per month, with meals. "Commes,"
or the yernacular name for cooks
helpers, receive from $50 to $45 per
month and meals.
object to Food.
Members who spoke at the mass
meetings yesterday complaind of the |
food they were required to eat where |
they are employed.
THE chef stands around to see that |
the cook doesn't get more than the |
hotel allots him." said Mr.. Cavanaugh. |
"The' idea that cooks get the best to |
eat in the kitchen is a false one"
Charge Violation.
Mr.. Cayanaugh charged that hotel
and restaurant owners are violating
an agreement made four years ago to
not work chambermaids or Mattresses
longer than eight hours per day. He
says this matter will be taken up
after the cooks and helpers get their
grievances settled.
The cooks will insist upon an early
answer from employers, Mr.. Cavan-
augh said, in order that the purpose
Of the workers to strike at a "most
time may not be defeated.
DEPLoRES PULPIT SHORTAGE.
The Rev. Henry Anstadt, pastor of