New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-17
STRIKE At THE WHITE HOUSE
PAINTERS QUIT WORKMAN DELAY
PREPARATIONS FOR THE PRES
DENTS RETURN.
GRr TELEGRAPH To he TRIBUNE


Washington, Sept. 16.-Thrty members OF the
Brotherhood of Painters. Decorators and Paper
hangers affiliated with the American Federation
Of Labor, were called out on strike at the Nhlle
House this morning by Daniel Lear. the Washing
ton business agent of the Brotherhood. because
four painters belonging to the Amalgamated As
ISOLATION of Painters, of New-York City. are EN-
poyed on contract in the mansion. On account
Of the bitter fight between two rival labor organ-
cations, the work on the interior of the White
House Is threatened the contractors have no
idea how closely the other labor organizations
here affiliated with the Brotherhood or now
far the strike may extend. II is said that the
carpenters and electrical workers. as well as many
others. are either so closely identified with the
Brotherhood as possibly TO lead 4 strike or they
are in sympa thy with the painters and decorators
The grievance of the strikers is solely against
four Amalgamated painters. who are working on a
small contract which awarded 70 Mr.. Mar
cot, = New-York painter
The facts are that Norcross Brothers have the
contract for practically the entire work of rebuild
ing the interior of the White House. but few de
tails were reserved by the architects, of whom Mr.
McKtm is the head be let out to other con
tractors. Two Of these minor contracts were
placed in New York. one with Mr.. Marcot and the
other with contractor named Hostetter. The
latter recognizing the bitter antagonism between
the Amalgamated and Brotherhood painters
brought. only Brotherhood men here with him. and
six of them employed at the White House
Mr. Norcross had only Brotherhood men. also
while Mr. Marcot's four men were Amalgamated
painters. The fight between the Amalgamated as
ISOLATION and the Brotherhood is of years stand
ing. it is said. The Amalga mated is purely New
York organization, while the Brotherhood controls
the remainder of the country, being stated. at
hliated with the American Federation of Labor.
$ r French. who represents the contractor
was unable to say to-day what would be the on.
come Of the trouble, He has the least id
what will be the consequences, and is not dl.
posed to become involved in the controversy b.
alignng himself either side. Union LABOR n
been employed on the building, and all reaSonant
demands said to have been met. recent de
mand for increase in the pay OF the Brother
hood painters from s. 50 s. day was promptly
granted, and since September the painters, deco
ratOrS and paperhangers have received the maxi
mum. rate. Nothing has heretofore been allowed
to any disturbance between the contractors
for the main work and the labor organiza tons OF
Washington, as. it Is said, the desire of the con
tractors that the work should be finished as
promptly possible has been uppermoSt. Daniel
Lear. the business agent of The local painters
union. said he thought the strike would be settled
within a day or two. He remarked that Mr..
McJim, of the firm of McKim, Mead & White.
architects of the White House who is now in New
York, would be in Washington tomorrow morn
ing and that in all proba biiity the difficulty would
he adjusted.