New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-17
WANT PARKS METHODS.
OLD LEADERS At WORK ?
agitation to Defeat Building Trades
arbitration agreement.

From various sources il was learned yesterday
that an agitation against the arbitration agree
-Dent Of the Building Trades Employers Asso-
citation has been started, and some Of the en-
ployers say that members of the old Board Of
Building Trades have been trying to influence
the unions against it: According reports
which have been going around. these members
Of the old board. which the general acceptance
OF the arbitration agreement wiped out Of ex-
istence want 10 bring about the old condition
Of things existing when Sam" Parks held the
reins and walking delegates could order strikes
on and OF again when it suited them to do so.
Most Of the trade agreements between the
unions and the employers go into effect on May
] and belief had arisen in many quarters that
the arbitration agreement must be renewed then
and viii seriously interfere with the trade
agreements. 1t is stated by Building employers
that the members OF the old Board of Building
Trades are trying to encourage this idea, though
the general acceptance OF the arbitration agree
ment did not take place until late last fall
From the employers standpoint the arbitration
agreement was designed to be perpetual. and,
while II has bearing on the trade agreements
between unions in the different trades and their
employers. 1t does not conflict with these trade
agreements in any way. The employers say
these labor leaders are trying their best 10 con-
fuse the rank and file Of the unions to the
real meaning Of the arbitration agreement and
will use their best efforts TO wipe il out before
May ].
A number OF the building employers thought
o. necessary yesterday that the arbitration
agreement should be clearly understood in or
der to head of any concerted attack on il. To
this end Charles L. Eidlitz. president Of the
Building Trades Employers Association. made
statement which is considered Of vital inn
portance TO the unions Just now. N which he
says:
There is nothing IN the entire arbitration
agreement fixing time limit The only men
ton OF time limit Is IN Article ANl OF the
arbitration agreement which says that The
wages now paid in the unskilled trades shah
not he reduced nor the hours increased for one
year from the general acceptance Of the agree
ment This merely introduced to settle
labor disturbance in one particular unskiled
trade. Since the general acceptance Of the arbi-
tratiOn agreement every trade agreement pro-
vides that the arbitration plan shall govern all
trade matters except in so far as il would con-
hict with existing agreements.
The arbitration plan may not be perfeCt-it IL
impossible 10 have perfection-but il is the best
that can be brought about IN the interests of
employers and employees to bring about peace.
That men who want the old order Of things re-
stored are trying 10 befOE the minds Of the rank
and file OF the unions on this question there is
not a doubt. Il is easy TO believe that walking
delegates who are shorn Of their power would
want old conditions back. The elevator CON
structors who struck recently in violation OF the
arbitration agreement We're evidently fooled by
some OF their leaders Most OF Inefn refused 10
believe that their union had signed the arbitra-
ton agreement. Even - hen We showed them the
signatures Of their Representatives they could
hardly believe H. but when they were convinced
the strike called of pending arbitration Of
their dispute.
don't agree with my fellow members in the
employers association TO the best methods
OF dealing with employees. but. though president
of the association. I must defer TO the rest. In
this respect I differ from the walking delegates
who run the unions they belong 10. I believe the
rank and file viii not be Influenced 10 give up
the arbitration agreement. If they do. then Il
viii be for the employers 10 act. Several times
the unions have broken the agreement but We're
glad TO resCind their action. There is pro-
vision in our constitution by which employers can
be disciplined who violate the agreement.