The Amalgamated Trades' Council held a meeting--which was attended by
delegates from the Bricklayers' union--at which threats were made to
prosecute Messrs. Downey, Prussing and other builders for "conspiracy"
because they had been prominent in securing the co-operation of the
dealers in building material, and a refusal to sell and deliver pending
the strike. This movement had struck its mark. It hurt.
In the meantime the poor Hodcarriers and Laborers were lost sight of.
They had exhausted their treasury and were assessing members at work $1
a week to partially defray expenses of those who were idle. Very few
were engaged in building, but were shoving lumber, working in ditches
and sewers, and performing labor of any kind they could find to do.
Their cause was lost.