The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1921-11-25
BILL
TO THE UNION
Manufacturers Propose IS
Cents An Hour Min
imum
la HOURS FOR
!. A WEEKS WORK
Suggest Meeting in Bos-
ton Dec. Is to Receive
Answer

Ntths lilt Eidutit = %t-- =
forwarded to James Duncan, president
of the Granite Cutters international
association, proposals for new agree
ment. Copies also have been sent to the
secretaries of the local unions through
out New England. Meanwhile, the un-
ions, on their part, have been prepar-
ing proposals for new bill to follow
the present agreement, which expires
April i, 1922. The Barre cutters met
last Saturday to consider the details
of their proposals, which az yet have
not been sent to the manufacturers.
The letter and proposed bill Of the
manufacturers as sent to Mr.. Duncan
are as follows:
'In June, 1921, we invited confer
ence with your committee with the ex-
pressed purpose Of seeking q reduction
in wages, more equitable arrange
ment of wages among the various
classes of workmen and release from
hampering working conditions.
'4Our customers, the retail monu-
mental dealers, architects, engineers
and owners of buildings, had served
notice on ms that they either would
not buy or would buy as little gran
ite as possible until such time as man
agement and labor costs had been re-
duced from war levels. Our members
had Iiquidatcd management costs. and
by the called-for conference expected
your members to do their part, be
cause neither they nor we could hope
TO sell our product at wartime prices.
This conference. due 10 no delay on
our part, was not held until Septem-
Der. Then we detailed to you and your
committee the reasons which com
PEELED the changes asked Instead OF
being met with sympathetic co-opera-
tion. we were presented with increased
demands. Since then we have made
diligent study Of the needs of the gran
ito industry and have concluded that
unless your members are willing to do
their part along the lines of the accom-
panying proposals, collective bargain
ing in our industry il imperilled.
1--WE have been informed that il il
the policy OF Congress that neither the
workmen nor the arrangements Of the
granite industry will receive proper
tariff protection until we have reduced
our labor costs from war levels.
"That there may be no misunder.
standing of our position we are sub
mitting to you the result of our delib-
erations in the form of the accompany
ing proposals. We ask YOU TO submit
this letter and these proposals to your
members for their earnest considera-
tion and that you win give hs their
-. l..4o lnDl
I'VE wish TO put these proposals
into operation on Jan. l. 1922, and be-
lieye that an agreement for two years
thcrefrom incorporating these propos-
ais will restore our industry TO fair
degree of prosperity and eventually
obtain employment for your members.
Though our conferences for the last
two wears have been fruitless. and col
lectiye bargaining has become but a
bv-word, we want you and your mem
bers, as well as the general public, to
realize that we desire peace but can
not make peace at the price Of lost
industry. We are willing TO meet and
treat with you and your COMMITTEES in
spirit Of cooperation and therefore
will assemble in Boston, at the Parker
house. on Dec. Is, 1921. at 10 a. m, TO
hear the decision Of your members.
THE International M onume n {
Granite Producers association, Inc,
the National Building Granite Quar-
ries' association. Inc. and the Granite
Paving Block Manufacturers Associa
ton Of the United States. Inc. join in
these proposals in order that as many
districts as possible may be covered
thereby
Proposals.
Submitted 10 the Granitecutters'
International Association of America
bv the International Monumental
Granite Producers association, Inc,
the National Building Granite Quar-
ries' association, Inc. and the Granite
Paving Block Manufacturers Associa-
tion Of United States, Inc
we have exhausted all methods
recognized by agreements between the
managements and workmen OF the
above mentioned associations TO obtain
reductions in wages. more equitable
set of wages among the various classes
Of workmen and the removal Of ham
pering working conditions.
I'VE realize that the granite indus
try must conform 20 the present eco
nomic situation or cease 10 live.
I'VE are submitting To you. in the
form Of these proposals, the united
opinion Of our members.
Men are out Of work. Management
have none OF few orders. The public
refuses to buy. Congress will not pro
tect us because We are trying 10 work
at inflated war prices. We are outlaws
in the business field
TO regain the confidence Of the
public. to obtain the protection Of a
proper tariff against foreign GRANTEES,
to give work to our workmen. and 10
&c; orders from our customers, we
must reduce our costs all along the
line. We cannot overcome the econom-
ic tide Of liquidation.
~we know that the unrestricted use
Of machinery viii make more work for
the workmen.
I'VE. therefore. submit the following
proposals covering wages. hours and
working conditions. in the firm belief
that t.hcv win raise our industry frow
the dead and restore our normal bu=i-
ness life
-Ths rates Of wages shan Be As fol
lows:
.-Graniteoitters 7sc per hour mini.
nun. Al per hour maximum
-Poii-hcrss Csc per hour minimum ;
9oc per hour MAXIMUM
-Iool sharQeners On hand hress -,