Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-15
ROW IN LOCAL UNION
LIVELY DISPUTE OVER REPORT
OF A COMMITTEE.
Several Members Jump From Windows
to Pavement Below One
Badly Injured.

Following the adoption of a report by the
arbitration committee, it is said, pandemo-
mum reigned last evening at the special
meeting of Local Union No 1868, Brother
hood Of Painters, at Concordia Hall, at 9Th
and e streets northwest. There were about
$50 painters in attendance, but only few
were involved in the exciting discussion,
during which several members. in
Guiding William c. Mason. leaped
from the windows Of the hall to
the ground, a distance of about ten feet.
Mason did not take time to look before he
Jumped. and, result, landed in a small
areaway Immediately below the window
from which he leaped. His right ankle was
broken, and he was removed to the Casu-
atty Hospital for treatment.
The meeting was called for the purpose
of receiving the report of the committee
on arbitration, composed of President E.
e. Hancock, Philip Shea and Daniel Lear,
relative to grievance with the Master
Painters Association of this city. The
members, 1t is claimed had no idea of ask
ing for an increase in pay or of instituttng
a strike The union officials denounce as
without foundation and absolutely untrue
statements to the contrary.
Some time ago. 1t Is alleged the Master
Painters Association inserted an ADVERTISE
ment in certain of the Baltimore and Phil
adelph!a newspapers which was intended to
attract the attention Of unemployed men,
bers of the Brotherhood of Painters These
were directed to correspond with the local
association through their respective secre-
taries for work. AS there Is an agreement
existing between the union and the bosses
association which stipulates that the LATTER
shall employ only members Of the local
union. the advertisement caused no little
concern in labor circles.
When the matter was brought to the at
tention Of the painters union that body
called a special meeting for last Friday
evening, 1t being the opinion that the en-
ployers were violating their agreement in
spirit. If not in letter. in view of the stip-
ulation Of the agreement mentioned.
Referred to Committee.
1t was unanimously decided at the spe-
cial meeting Friday evening to place the
grievance in the hands Of the members Of
the arbitration committee. with instruc-
tons to make a thorough investigation.
Accordingly the arbitration committee OF
the union called on the arbitration commit
tee Of tho employers association the fol-
lowing morning Saturday, when the grew
ance was thoroughly discussed. The en-
ployers. 1t is said. admitted that they had
Inserted the advertisement referred to in
various papers for the purpose Of securing
additional workmen.
The union acquainted the employers with
the fact that they had sent representatives
to the cities In which the advertisements
naQ appeared 10 use their euOrtS 10 prevent
an influx of painters into Washington. 1t
being the belief chat there are sufficient
painters in Washington at present to meet
the demand. 1t was stated that, upon re-
quest, the union will furnish the bosses
with all the workmen they can possibly
use.
To make clear their position. the union
arbitration committee, in protesting against
the action Of the employers, stated that
any influx of painers would work hard
ship on the local union. in that, as soon as
the rush work on hand Is completed. the
city would have fromF3O0 to $50 painters on
its hands, and that the union would have
to take care Of the idle visitors.
This argument put new phase on the
situation The employers it is said, agreed
that they have acted unwisely, but would
make amends by the Immediate withdrawal
Of the Objectionable advertisement. Both
parties were satisfied with the result Of the
conference and the incident was considered
to be closed.
Soon after the special meeting of the
union was called to order last evening the
arbitration committee submitted Its report,
with a recommendation that the explaua-
ton of the employers be accepted The
motion was seconded and the report was
adopted. with only about twelve dissenting
votes out of an<1ttendance Of $50 members.
From what cAn be learned number OF
the members who cast their votes In the
negative were very much angered at the