New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-09-02
1000 Painters
In City Will
Strike To-day
Hylan Calls Special Meet
ing of Aldermen 10 Pre-
vent Profiteering Dur
ing the Van Mems Fight
Carpenters Ready to Quit
Electricians Offer to Join
a sympathetic Walk Out;
Many Plumbers Return

Three trades Of major importance in
the housing situation will be on strike
to-day. Twenty-Five hundred moving
van drivers quit work yesterday, along
with 1000 plumbers. To-day 1000
painters will desert their jobs.
Two more trades may follow their
action to-day. Last night 5000 car
penters and electricians employed on
jobs with the plumbers offered to
strike in sympathy and a strike OF
their own may be declared at meet
ing this afternoon.
Sympathic Walkout Planned
The offer Of q sympathetic walkout
was mado by members Of the local I'M
ion Of International Carpenters and the
United Electrical Workers Union. A
second meeting this afternoon at the
labor counci. will draw up new wage
demands to be presented to employers.
strike may result, union leaders
said.
With the moving and leasing season
almost at hand, the unions were con-
fident yesterday that their demands for
increased wages and shorter hours
would be granted.
The seriousness Of one aspect of this
situation was recognized by Mayor Hy-
Ian yesterday in calling special meet
ing Of the Board Of Aldermen for
Wednesday. With New Workers facing
the most acute moving season in the
city's history, much profiteering by
moving men is expected. The aldermen
will consider the cartmen's ordinance,
which regulates the operation Of NOV
ing household goods. The law as it
stands affords no protection against
overcharging.
James J. McKenna, vice-president Of
Local 273, international Brotherhood Of
Transfers, said yesterday that several
warehouses had signed individual
agreements with the striking Transfers,
chauffeurs and packers, granting their
demands.
Charles S. Norris, president Of the
Van Owners Association, insisted that
the van owners cannot afford to meet
the demands for increases, which range
from $3.50 to So.
The demands are $45 weekly for
chaufiers on gas cars Of one and one
half tons or more; chauffeurs on
smaller gas cars and electric trucks,
$40; drivers OF two-horse teams, $40;
packers and room packers, $40; helpers,
The scale has been from $3.50 to
SAC. and the van owners, at the expira-
ton of their contract with the union
on August /, offered q So increase to-
all grades. This was refused at a
general meeting Of union employees
Tuesday night.
Morris said the van owners in
creased wages on May s, and they con-
slider their men are not underpaid. as
they. receive tips which add materially
to their incomes.
The strike affects about $50 members
of the Van Owners Association. No
attempt will be made to break the
strike unless it continues into the NOV
ing season, said Mr.. Norris
Van Men to Return
Is. third OF the moving men will be
back On their jobs to-day, it was said
last night by leaders Of Drivers, Help
eff and Packers Local 72. A number Of
employers signed the wage agreement
for these men last night, but major
ity refused
of their annual business between Sep
TENDER Is and October 10. eve have
to keep our men on all the year simuly
because of that season." he said
Richard Monks, general organizer Of
LEGAL 80 of the Amalgamated Metal
Workers of America, the striking
plumbers union, said $50 Of the 1000
Will 6SSOIo ducCtSu uAO mSC Inc Qc-
mand for a forty-four-hour week, 50 a
day and curtailment Of overtime.
officials of the United Association Of
Plumbers and Gas Filters, Local 4S3,
expressed indignation at the strike Of
tho Amalgamated union. at is a sur
prise to u.s." said Secretary Hopkins.
"Our men are receiving 50 and have
had the forty-four-hour week for some
time. We do all of the overhauling
eNa fnatol3afinn nf MIN hi n n tho
city. The Amalgamated is a scab union
Of thinkers and not affiliated with the
American Federation of Labor"
Plumbers Return to Work
At the headquarters Of Local ga z
East Fifteenth Street, last night, it
was announced that 500 plumbers re-
turned to work after their employers
mittee Of the union. About 1900
plumbers remain out, union officials
said. They expect the strike will be
won by the end Of this week.
The threatened strike OF painters
became almost a certainty when their
demand for 81 day increase was re-
fused by q committee Of employers
representing the master painters of
New York and the Society Of Interior
Decorstors, employing more than 5000
men.
officials of the Brotherhood of
Painters, Decorators and Paperhangers
claim a membership of $4,000, employed
by 100 contractors. The union Of
ficials said last night that $50 en-
ployers had made individual settle
inents with their workers, acceding to
I the demand. This was denied at the
meeting of the master painters and
decorators. The union officials said a
strike to-day was certain. The men
now receive 50 q day and work only
Eve days a week.
The employers committee, specially
organized to deal with the strike, has
established headquarters at GOT Fifth
Avenue, Members Of the committee
ssid the employers will fight TO
finish.
The employers claim The cost Of iv-
Ing has increased only - per cent in
the last year, while the painters have
received an increase Of so per cent in
wages.
E0casiOn' of Mechanics
Hits One u. S. Buildi,sg