Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-17
ODD CONTROVERSY
BETWEEN WORKINGMEN.
1t Stops Work of Repairing the
White House-AmaIsamate As
ISOLATION Against Brotherhood.

WASHINGTON, D. c.. September 10
Thirty members Of the Brotherhood of
Painters. Decorators. and Paperhangers
affiliated with the American Federation of
Dor, were called out on strike at the
White House this morning, by. Daniel
Lear, the Washington business agent of
the brotherhood, ali because four paint
ers belonging to the Amalsamated Asso-
citation of Painters of New York city are
employed on contract in the White
House. Because of this bitterness be
tween two rival organizations the entire
work on the repairing Of the interior Of
the White House is threatened, as the
contractors have no idea how close the
other labor Organizations here are afffl-
lated with the brotherhood. It IS stated
that the carpenters and electrical work
ers. as well as many others, are either SO
closely identified with the brotherhood
as to possibly lead to strike. or they
are In sympathy with the painters and
decorators.
The thirty strikers have no ia lit to
find with Norcross Brothers. the con-
tractors for the rebuilding of the interior
Of the White House, or with S. F.
French, the representative of the con-
tractors. Their grievance is solely
against four amalgatnated painters who
are working on a small contract which
was awarded to Mr.. Marcot, a New
York painter.
The facts, as gathered to-day, and as
known, are that Norcross Brothers have
the contract for practically the entire
work Of rebuilding the interior Of the
White House, but few details were
reserved by the architects. Of which Mr.
Mckim is the head, to ne let out to other
contractors. Two of these minor CON
tracts were placed in New York, one with
Mr.. Marcot and the other to contract
or named Hostetter. The latter. recog-
nizing the bitter antagonism between the
amalgamated and brotherhood painters,
brought only Brotherhood men here with
him, and six of them were employed at
the White House. Mr.. Norcross had only
brotherhood men also, while Mr.. Mar
cots four men were amalgamated paint
ers.
ISOLATION and brotherhood is of years
standing. The ama1gamated is purely a
New York organization, while the broth
erhood controls the remainder of the
country. being. as stated. affiliated with
the American Federation of Labor. The
amalgamated has refused to recognize
brotherhood cards in New York and has
run close corporation of its own The
brotherhood soon began to retaliate by
refusing to recognize analgamated men
working outside of New ork. So came
about the war. From that war the trou-
bic is transferred to Washington, and
promises to involve other organizations.
and to delay imm easurably the work of
completion at the White House, which
has been pushed with great energy So
well had the work been proceeding that
the outlook was favorable that tue resi-
dence part of the White House would
be ready for the occupancy Of the Roose-
welt family about the LIST of October.
and that the new Office building of the
President would also be ready for him
by that time.
INVASION OF NEW YORK.
The brotherhood Of painters invaded
New York recently, ana effected the
organization of council of their own.
thereby making the first breach In the
wall that the amalgamated had for years
had constructed around the city of New
& York: a few days ago, James w. Arch
5fbald, the secretary of the brotherhood in
New York, or business manager, as the
position is called. came to Washington.
and laid the case before the brotherhood
of painters Of Washington and elsewhere
who are employed under both Norcross
Brothers and Hostetter. The Amalgama-
ted men have now autographed for Mr..
Healey, their business agent. and the
fight promises to be one to finish. with
the work on the White House suffering.
The heads Of other Organizations are saio
to be discussing the matter with a view
TO possible action. a,.s.ough this Is not
known officially to the contractors.
Mr.. French was unable to say to-day
what would be the outcome Of the tro,i-
BILE. He has the entire matter under con-
sideration, and Is In communications With
the people most interested. He hasn.r
the least idea what viii be the consas
5quence and IS not disposed TO become
involved In the controversy. by aiieninr
himse1f either way. Since he began the
work he has had 10 act the part OF !
Diplomat In number Of promising labor
disputes. Throughout however. union
Labor has been employed On the building.
ard all easonable dena nds are said TO.
have haAn met IS recent demand Tor Al.
sinereaae 81 Tho pay az the bfotherhdod
af6 ii to- q