The labor world., 1903-09-05
BIC } |! COMB ! n 3 IB:|IaA1ll0N |! n ] /.
OF TRADE UNIONS
A MILLION. Workers
TO BE UNITED.
BUILDING TRADES
ARE VERY ALERT
To Combat Any Attempt Of Employ.
ers' Associations to Crush Out
Labor Organizations.

Labor Organizations.
Indianapolis, Ind, Sept. a.-A million
building trades employees may soon be
combined into National Federation
Of Building Trades. There have been
here this week in consultation the re-
presentatives of seven powerful labor
organizations. They are:
The Brotherhood Of Painters, Decora-
tors and Paperhangers Of America, re-
presented by M p. Carrick, general
secretary-treasurer.
The Bricklayers and Masons Inter-
national union, represented by George
p. Gubbins, president.
The Bridge and Structural Iron
Workers. International association, re-
presented by Frank Buchanan, presid-
ent
United Association of Plumbers, Gas
Filters, Steam Filters and Steam Fit
ters' Helpers, represented by L. W. Til
den, general secretary.
The Hod Carriers and Building La
borers' international union, represented
by their general president, Mr.. Lilien
of Chicago.
The Plasterers' National union, repre-
sented by W. A. O'Keefe, general pre-
sident
The United Brotherhood of Carpen-
ters and Joiners of America, repre-
sented by General President William
D. Huber, General Secretary Frank
Duffy, ard General Treasurer Thomas
Neale.
Some Of these belong to the American
Federation of Labor, some to the Ma
tional Building Trodes Council, and
some to neither. Great confusion has
arisen thereby, and complaints are
made that grievances considered by
| these two bodies are not settled fairly.
G. P. Gibbins Of Chicago, the pre-
sident of the Brick Masons' union, was
elected chairman Of the conference, and
M. H. Carrick, of Lafayette, secretary
Of the Painters and Decorators, was
chosen secretary.
| Ways and means were suggested to
combat the tendency of employers as
sociations to crush labor organizations;
to prevent the formation of dual or
rival bodies in the same trade; to pro-
tect the autonomy Of the union and
to form a closer combination of or
ganizations engaged in constructing
| anu repairing DullQlngS.
There was a wide diversity of opinion
as, to the effect on the labor organiza-
tions engaged in putting up buildings
Of combines of contractors that present
active competition. Some of the dele
gates denounced them bitterly, and in
sisted that no matter how big the pro-
fits Of the contractors, they paid no
more than they were compelled to for
the labor, they employed. Others
thou ugtht It II any of the, contractors
had an easy way Of making more than
ordinary profits, they would be willing
to pay the going wages rather than
| have labor wars that would make their
collections more difficult or increase
their expenses.
In the building trades more than in
any other class of work, agreements
are in force that the builders will en-
ploy only union labor, and that union
labor, on the other hand, will work for
no contractor not a member Of his as
ISOLATION. This was shown to be true
Of most Of the large cities Of the courl-
try, especially where there had been
no big strikes in the building trades
this year, though it was also shown
that where this combination was ex-
elusive it had tendency to raise the
cost Of buildings and so discourage
building, thus throwing union men out
of employment.
It will take many months to put the
National Building Trades Federation on
it's feet, should such an organization
be finally considered advisable. None
of the delegates here have any power to
bind their unions to anything. Most of
the unions have already held their an
nual conventions, and it is not consid-
cred probable that any would care to
go to the expense of special conven-
ton. Some have constitutions that will
allow of a referendum vote.
The leaders are conservative, and
they are not going into anything that
will require much urging on their part
LET we'll enough alone,' is the motto
of such a considerable number that it
is hard to get anything new introduced
and it is becoming harder at every con-
vention. This has it's good as we'll as
it's bad side, but it often prevents the
accomplishing of really necessary re-
forms.
Frank Duffy, general secretary of the
United Brotherhood of Carpenters
thinks that whatever the outcome of
this conference it cannot but have
much influence in uniting the various
organizations represented in closer
bonds Of friendship and amity, and it
may be the means of putting stop to
all "jurisdiction' squabbles
!