Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-06
IN LABOR CIRCLES

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1t is predicted by local labor leaders that
If the officials of Bricklayers' Union No. 1
adhere to the policy laid down in the con-
stitution of that body, and also to the laws
of the Bricklayers and Masons' Interna-
tional Union of America. Washington will
within the next few weeks witness some
interesting developments in the labor move
ment.
AS stated several days ago. President
George B. Gubbins of the international
ganization took exceptions to a clause In
the constitution of the local body, which
was recently revised and submitted to him
for his consideration. The Objectionable
clause is contained in the section which
reads, mo member of this union shall be
permitted except on government work not
contracted for, to work with a journeyman
bricklayer who is not a member of this
union President Gubbins' objection is
to the exception relating to government
work AS his action on such matters is
decisive, the clause, 1t is stated will have
to be obliterated before the constitution
becomes operative.
Such action places the United States gov
eminent on the same footing as individual
employers, and, 1t is said, makes it neces-
sary for the government to either recognize
or repudiate organized labor.
No matter what. course the government
adopts in the premises, it is declared, it
will be confronted with perplexing ques-
tons. To repudiate the claims of organ
ICED labor will mean a strike of the brick
layers and masons on all government build
ings where non-union workmen are en-
ployed. On the other hand, If the govern
ment recognizes organized labor it will
again be called upon to deal with the race
question as the constitution of the local
union contains section which, 1t is said.
makes the admission of colored bricklayers
into the organization impossible
1t is understood to be through no fault of
the colored bricklayers of the city, number
ing between 80 and 100, the majority of
whom are employed by the government,
that they are not formed into a union.
More than a year ago the colored bricklay-
erS applied to the Bricklayers' and Masons'
International Union of America for char
ter. In conformity with the laws of the
body, the attention of the colored workmen
was directed to a section in the constitu-
ton of the body which reads follows:
Application for charter for new unions
must be signed by az least ten bricklayers
or masonS of good standing, in a commu-
nifty where there are a sufficient number
of bricklayers or masonS to maintain SUBJ
ordinate union. Under no circumstances
will a charter be granted to any body of
men in any city, town or village, where one
or more unions already exist, without the
consent of a majority of the other unions,
to be first obtained. But should a subordi-
nate union refuse to grant charter to
body of bricklayerS. simply account of
race, nationality or religion, the executive
board shall have power, after due inveSu-
cation of same, to grant charter to said
bricklayers, if, in their opinion, the union
refusing to grant said charter is un1uSt1f1-
able, providing applicants can demand the
hours and wages. Under no consideration
shall the executive board grant said char
ter unless they demand the hours and
wages in the jurisdiction In the locality
where it is to be granted
According to statements, the colored
bricklayers sought the aid of Bricklayers'
Union, No. /. and their request was denied.
The matter was again taken to the inter-
national body. Subsequently that body, it
is alleged, called upon the local union for
an explanation of its action.
In replying to the order of the fnterna-
tional union, the local body presented all
the facts in the premises, which were to
the effect that for the reason that the col
ored workmen could not command the
union rate of pay, it considered that the
approval of such a request would be sui
cidal, and that, If the employers could en-
gage the colored men at a cheaper rate
the white bricklayers would be run out OF
the field. The colored men, 1t is stated,
acknowledge the facts, and for this reason
afiliation with the international union was
refused.
Following the example set several months
ago by the contractors and builders of New
York, the business men of that particular
calling in several of the New England
states have perfected an organization
among themselves for the purpose of
waging war on labor unions. 1t is reported
that a chain of such organizations have
been instituted lin many cities and that
they are preparing to attack organized Ia
Dor on all sides.
1t is also reported that the organized con-
tractors have inaugurated a card system,
similar to that in vogue among the majority
of the labor unions of the country. Under
the contractors system, which is desig-
N11oI licf'' INV 1yin 10 n
workman, it is said, is given a card, and
unless an applicant for work can produce
such card the contractor will not employ
him.
These working cards of the employers are
ingenious. The one given a man when he
leaves the service of a contractor may APP
pear to read exactly the same as that given
to another. difference, however, 1T is
said has been detected. For instance, when
a man applies to another contractor for
work he may be turned down, while his
companion, if there happen to be two. will
be put to work Immediately. 1t is claimed
that there is a secret mark on the card.
known only to those contractors who are
connected with the chain of contractors
organizations These marks are said to tell
a contractor what sort of a man is apply
ing for work.
It is argued that when workmen re-
ceives a card which is marked unfavorably
he might as well leave the section of the
country in which he has worked for, while
nothing is said, and he cannot prove any-
thing, he is on the blacklist" and cannot
get work from any contractor who is ia
miliar with the marks on the cards. 1t is
said that any workman who is thought to
be too active in labor affairs is known to
every contractor connected with the chain
Of organizations, and. so far as work is
concerned. his fate is sealed.
President Samuel Gompers of the Aneri-
can Federation of Labor left Washington at
noon today for Bridgeton, N. j., where he
will address a mass meeting of glass blow
ers, to be held this evening at that place.
No information as to the present status
of the controversy between the AmaIga-
mated Society of Carpenters and Joiners
and the Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners of America can be obtained in off,
cial circles. So far can be learned the
board of arbitration, composed of eleven
members-five from each party to the dis
pute and the eleventh member-a disnter-
ested individual. termed an ''umpire''-has
not arrived at any conclusion. AS has penn
previously stated in these columns this
board was appointed at the suggestion of
the American Federation of Labor with
which both unions are affiliated, whose ex-
ecutive council. at its last quarterly meeting