Tuesday evening, June 14th, a special meeting of the Bricklayers' Union
was held, at which the depleted condition of the treasury was made
known. The men working were asked to divide their earnings with the idle
men, which they flatly refused to do. A resolution was passed requiring
the men to work alternate weeks. This occasioned trouble, the men
refusing to obey the order. They were willing to pay the regular
assessment of $1 a week, but no more. The executive committee was
authorized to sell a lot owned by the Union at the corner of Monroe and
Peoria streets, to raise funds to meet the demands of the idlers. In
order to keep up a show with the men the officers continued to claim
that money was plenty, and more could be had; yet their demands for a
few dollars were not met in cash--only promises.