They met at 3:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, there being present the
following representatives:
Master Masons--Joseph Downey, George Tapper, George H. Fox, C. W.
Hellman, William O'Brien and Charles W. Gindele.
Bricklayers--A. E. Vorkeller and Messrs. Taylor, Charles,
Householder and Kraus.
At the conference it was distinctly understood that the code of
principles was to be first adopted and then they would arbitrate other
questions. The whole talk was agreed and understood to be unofficial.
Mr. Vorkeller then stated that he would call a special meeting of the
union and see what could be done. Mr. Downey then read the following
letter, which he had received from President Vorkeller:
CHICAGO, June 10, 1887.
MR. JOSEPH DOWNEY, President Master Masons' Association--_Dear
Sir_: In accordance with interview with you on the 7th inst. in
relation to appointing a committee with power to act, for the
purpose of arbitration, and, if possible, end the differences which
exist between our associations, and which are causing increased
uneasiness, not only to those on both sides who are immediately
concerned, but also to the public at large, who have been patient
witnesses to this uncalled for and unnecessary lockout, so far as
we are concerned we court the fullest investigation from the public
of our side of the case without having the least fear of the
result; but we are willing, and have agreed in special meeting, to
send a committee to settle this difficulty honorably to ourselves
as well as to you, according to the aforesaid interview. If this
suits your convenience you will please notify us immediately, if
possible, and oblige yours respectfully,
A. E. VORKELLER, President.
Mr. Charles W. Gindele remarked that when he entered the room where the
meeting was held he made the announcement that the talk should be
unofficial, which all acceded to. After a long conference they were led
to conclude that the bricklayers would concede nearly everything but
nine hours a day. The bricklayers were informed that they must adopt the
platform of principles before there could be any arbitration.
Mr. George H. Fox said Mr. Gindele's statement was correct, and it was
distinctly understood that the representatives of the bricklayers should
go before their own people and adopt the platform of principles.
Mr. George Tapper, who was also at the meeting, said his impression of
the conference was decidedly unfavorable. He had then called the
attention of Mr. Vorkeller to the clause in the constitution of the
Union in regard to apprentices, and told him that if he (Tapper) had a
son who did not get his schooling before he was 18 years of age he would
be debarred from learning the trade of a bricklayer. In reply to this
Vorkeller had made the astounding statement that there was no trouble in
such a case. All the boy had to do was to say he was 18 years old and he
was all right, as they had boys come to them with long mustaches and had
fixed them all right. Mr. Tapper said he replied by saying that was
teaching boys to lie, and gave them the first steps toward the
penitentiary, and if that was their way of doing business he wanted
nothing more to do with them. He also said that Vorkeller had agreed
that the section of the platform of principles providing for the free
right to employ or to work was right, but when asked if his men would
work alongside a non-union man he had said: "No; they would quit and
carry off their tools." Mr. Tapper said he was disgusted with the whole
business.
Mr. C. P. Wakeman thought it would be no harm to appoint a committee to
confer with the Union committee. He thought also that the appointment of
the committee by the Union was an acknowledgment of the code of
principles. If the Master Masons demanded more than partial justice they
would lose.
Mr. A. J. Hageman said if the Bricklayers' Union had not acknowledged
the principles of the Master Masons there was nothing yet to arbitrate.
Mr. C. W. Gindele said he understood the Bricklayers were to submit what
they wanted to arbitrate, but they had not done so.
Mr. E. Earnshaw said from the reading of the letter the Union had
nothing to concede. It was endeavoring to lead the Masons into a trap in
order to make capital out of it. By saying they "court the fullest
investigation" the unionists emphatically claimed that they were right
and the Master Masons were all wrong.
Mr. Downey stated that Mr. Vorkeller had frequently stated to him that
he was in favor of the code of principles, but would have to "shin
around" to induce the union to recognize them, fearing he would not be
successful.
Mr. George C. Prussing said the arbitration movement had been instituted
to keep the Union men together, as many of them were leaving, and an
effort was being made to make these men understand that if a settlement
should be reached they would be shut out. No arbitration should be had
which meant only partial justice. There were principles that could not
be arbitrated. When the Union amended its constitution so as to conform
to their principles the Builders would be ready to join hands with them.
Or, if a new Union should be organized on such a basis, it would be met
with open hands. Compromise they would not. It would be stultification.
The vote on the motion to appoint the committee was lost, only eight
voting in favor of it.
A motion was made to lay the communication on the table, which
prevailed, only ten voting against it.
Mr. G. C. Prussing submitted the following, which was adopted as the
sense of the meeting, with but one dissenting vote:
The position of this Association can hardly be misunderstood at
this late day. It has been laid down in our platform in
unmistakable language, and is further contained in an address to
the Bricklayers and Stonemasons of Chicago and published by the
public press.
We have addressed them as individuals, and shall continue to treat
them as individuals, not an organization. Principles can never be
subject to arbitration. And such matters as can properly be
arbitrated--such as hours of work, wages, or other working
rules--can not be discussed with any committee until an
organization is in existence which has adopted the principle of
individual liberty freely and fully, and is governed by
constitution and by-laws based thereon.
This community has suffered too often and too long, and the
sacrifices brought have been too great to listen to any hint of a
possible arbitration or compromise. We owe it to ourselves; to the
other building trades who have taken the position held by us, we
owe it to the entire community to settle the present troubles
right. That is, on a basis that promises security against future
arbitrary interruptions of business.
To individuals we are ready to give work; we guarantee them steady
employment as far as in our power, and will protect them in every
way, and if the men who now take up their tools should choose to
form an organization for mutual protection and any other honorable
and lawful purposes, based on the principles we acknowledge, we
will aid and assist them in perfecting such organization, and will
treat with them, and arbitrate any and all questions properly
subject to arbitration.
After the meeting adjourned Mr. Downey sent a communication to Mr.
Vorkeller in reply to his letter, of which the following is a copy:
A. E. VORKELLER, President, etc.--_Dear Sir_: Your letter of this
day contained more than a surprise for me. Any and all interviews
held with you by me and other members of our Association were at
your seeking and request, and with the distinct understanding that
we were acting in our own individual capacity, without any
authority from any organized body, and that I, as president of the
Master Masons' association, have no authority to appoint any
committee for purposes set forth in your communication. Nor is your
letter written in the spirit you proposed, or your position as
given by yourself in interviews with me. You certainly must have
understood, for it was repeated over and over again, that I would
not consent to any effort at arbitration until your body shall have
adopted, plainly and fairly, the principles held by us as an
Association. I refer to principles as stated in our platform. Nor
can such agreement be expressed by a simple vote, but must be shown
by eliminating all sections of your constitution and by-laws in
conflict therewith.
Your letter has been placed before our Association, and by it was
laid on the table. Our position is again outlined by resolution
adopted, and will be found in the daily papers.
Very respectfully yours,
JOSEPH DOWNEY, President.