Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-15
THE PLUMBERS STRIKE
BOTH SIDES IN GOOD HUMoR, BUT
REMAIN FIRM.
Journeymen Have No Information to
1mpart, but Express Confidence
Employers Aid Each Other.

Both employers and journeymen inter
ested in the plumbers strike continue to
express confidence in success. Neither side
shows any disposition to yield. The strlk-
ers when seen at headquarters this Morn
ing had no new information to give out
and said they were holding no formal meet
ings.
Mr.. j. W. Hurley, who, as announced in
The Star yesterday, withdrew from the
Master Plumbers Association and acceded
to the strikers demands, told a Star re-
porter this morning that he had never used
helpers in his work and to him they were
OF no advantage, He said he thought two
apprentices sufficient in most of the shops
In speaking of the cause Of contention Mr..
Hurley said:
Helpers are an injury to the journeymen
plumbers because in dull times the Journey
men are discharged and the helpers are
continued in their places. The journeymen,
l thlnk, were at fault in the first place
in asking for helpers. They taught the help
ers how to do the work and in that way
cut their own throats. The journeymen
are now trying to rectify their former mis-
take"
Mr. Hurley said he did not knew wheth-
er doing away with helpers would increase
the cost of work or not.
The Master Plumbers View.
The Master Plumbers Association held a
special meeting last night to discuss the
strike situation. Detailed reports were re-
celved from each of the eighty-five mem
bers present concerning the status of work
they have on hand. Eighty-two of these
members stated they had their work well
IN hand and announced that with the as
slstance of their experienced apprentices
whom they have with them still they are
enabled to keep up with current work
The other three members present stated
they would require some assistance and a
call Tor volunteers resulted in tWenty-four
members agreeing to go to work with tools
Tor the three needing assistance. This num-
Der, 1t is said, was far in excess of the re-
qulrements, but sufficient number was de-
tailed to give the assistance needed
A report was heard from the thirty obss
plumbers who worked last Sunday in the
large apartment house on 18th street which
1t was necessary to complete at once 1t
is said the affair took on the aspect of a
picnic, as the elaborate luncheon served by
the contractor furnished the occasion for a
general exchange of good fellowship and
enthusiasm.
The work in this building was entirely
completed Sunday, and it is expected the
apartment house on Washington circle
where the association will congregate next
Sunday, will be completed with the same
gratifying success.
Express Confidence.
These two buildings the employers state
represent the only work which is pressing
at this time, but by carrying out the same
scheme indefinitely, and furthermore by
refusing all work except with the distinct
understanding that 1t would be taken up in
turn. the master plumbers say. they feel
assured the outlook for maintaining their
position is most satisfactory.
Members of the association declared that
only two master plumbers in the associa-
tion have been forced to give In to the de-
mand Of the workmen under stress Of
circumstances. which We're imperative but
as the number of men employed by these
two firms is said to be small the employers
say the solid front put forth by the associa-
ton as body has not been in the slightest
degree affected.
The friendly feeling between employers
and men continues unbroken.