Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-30
STRIKING BRICKLAYERS
DID NOT GO no WORK AT AR
SENAL TODAY.
May Remain Out Altogether-What
Capt. Sewell Says Of To-
days Conference.

Inc Dr1cRlayerS StTtKe at washington
barracks assumed another phase today. and
the outlook is now that the strikers will
not return to work.
The return or non-return of the men who
went on the strike to their former places
hinged on the question whether or not Capt.
Sewell. the engineer officer in charge Of
the work. would discharge the non-union
bI1cklayers who have been taken on as
emergency men since the strike began.
Capt. Sewell stated that he could not do
this under the law. and so. it appears, the
strike will continue.
The committee appointed by the Brick
layers Union. with Instructions" and
which consists of Joseph III. Armand Maui
rice Smith and II. E. Smith. formerly fore
men brfcklayers on the Washington bar
racks work. held another conference with
Capt. Sewell today.
The committee intimated that their in
structions from the union were to the effect
that If Capt. Sewell would dismiss the men
employed since the strike the union brick
layers could return to their former employ
ment.
The engineer officer informed the COM
mittee that he could not do this. as the new
employees had ceased to be emergency men.
and having registered and been regularly
appointed ai i they had thereby acquired
standing and were now civil service APP
pointees. Therefore, said Capt Sewell, they
could only be dismissed for cause.
A Damper on the Situation.
This threw a damper on the situation. so
far as the strikers are concerned and leaves
the matter as it was before the meeting of
the bricklayers' organization. 1t was sug
gested to one of the committeeman that a
special meeting of the bricklayers union be
called to consider the present phase of the
strike. Another member of the committee
Is reported to have said it would be no use
to call special meeting This Is taken to
mean that the union will not sanction the
return of the strikers while the present
gang of non-union colored bricklayers are
kept on the walls.
A member Of the bricklayers' union said
this afternoon:
Our organization will never permit any
of its members to return to work at Wash
ington barracks while the walls are alive
with negro non-union workmen,' as TIE
Star said yesterday. If we do permit them
to do SO, then our union and its objects
are dismal failures and we might as well
shut up Shop
Captain Sewell objects to the term in
competent as applied to some of the men
at work under him. He explained that men
who could not come up to the government
standard and do certain classes of work
such for instance as arching, could not be
classed generally as Incompetence
1t is said the strikers would have gone
to work with Taylor, but as a bricklayer
expressed 1t, they could not swallow the
Dig dose or colored non-unonists now at
work on the army buildings"
Civil Service Commission.
The statement having been published tina
In making up the August register the civil
service commission must decide whether the
refusal of the striking bricklayers to work
with non-union man is sufficient cause
to strike their names from the eligible list,
should they reregister, a Star reporter sub
mitted the question today to Civil Service
Commissioner Cooley.
I'VE will not cross any bridges until we
reach Them" said the commissioner but
should this question be raised by the War
Department we, of course, will render a
decision"
Mr.. Cooley added that the matter was
covered by rule 4eof the civil service rules
and regulations, which follows:
The commission may refuse to examine
an applicant or to certify an eligible for
any of the following reasons: (a) Dismissal
from the service for delinquency or miscon-
duct within one year next preceding the
date of his application; (b) physical or
mental unfitness for the position for which
he applies; .(c) criminal, infamous Gishon-
est. immoral. or VIGOROUSLY disgraceful
conduct; I'D Intentionally making a falls.
statement in any material fact, or practic-
ing any deception or fraud in securing ex-
animation, registrat ton. certification or ap-
as required by rule XIV; D the habitual
use Of intoxicating beverages to excess
Any of the last five foregoing disqualified
tons shall also be good cause for removal
from the service
"A false statement In an application or
failure to correct any fault or supply any
deficiency therein will be ground for can
ceiling the application and the examina-
ton"
AS characterization is said to be the only
charge which could be brought against the
strikers If any, it is contended this, not
being mentioned in section d. could only be
considered under the general head of mis-
conduct"
Rumor of Discharges
1t was reported at Washington barracks
this afternoon that several of the colorei
strike breakers will be discharged at the
close OF working hours this afternoon be-
cause they are unable to perform tn. par
ticular class of work required on the army
buildings" This will not affect the strike
situation. however.