Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-22
THE BRICKLAYERS STRIKE
Other Men to Be Put to Work Tomor

The lone colored bricklayer. George Tav
Tor, was not at work today on the walls
or the army building under construction
at Washington barracks. His absence
however was not due to the recent strike
of twenty-eight white brioklayers. but To
the rain, which fell at intervals during the
Day.
Had 1t not been for the rain Taylor would
nave had company on the works today and
should there be clear or fair weather to-
morrow two and perhaps more brickIavers
Will Join him. The two men who were to
nave gone to work this morning will be
tested as to their ability as layers of bricks
before being, certified by Captain Sewell as
regular employees
=. The employment OF these men marks the
first break in the bricklayers' strike against
Uncle sam; Other bricklayers, whose
names Will be taken from the eligible list
Of the civil service commission will be
added to the force as rapidly as possible,
and the engineer officers believe work will
be resumed at all points within the next
few days
The question to whether the new men
are or are not members of any labor union
will not be allowed to enter into the mat
ter. The capability of the men brick
layers and their Industry and steadiness
will alone be considered.
A number of applications for employment
on the work have been received by Captain
Sewell outside of the civil service rules.
A man named Reed stated that he had writ
ten to the captain and agreed to furnish
him with ten bricklayers.
But they are not all white men," said
Reed. nor are they all members of labor
unions"
The engineer officers regard the putting
to work OF new men at Washington bar
racks as the practical collapse Of the strike.
They say the indications are that full
force of bricklayers can and VIII be OBJ
tanned Leaders in the labor organizations
take a contrary view. They maintain that
the government cannot afford to have its
buildings erected by "scab' labor. and
threaten TO make an appeal to President
Roosevelt.
Officials al the navy yard stated today
that there are now no prospects Of strike
OF the forty bricklayers employed there.
The men at work there are decidedly OPP
posed to entering uron a strike, the OFF,
Gals state and would Stoutly resist any
efforts In that direction. The strike at the
Washington barracks. It was added. fur
rished object lesson from which they
will profit.
The oricklayers and other mechanics en-
ployed at the navy yard are taken in order
OF priority from lists of eligibles furnished
by the labor bureau OF the yard. These
employees are given annual leave with pay
and have halliday holiday Saturdays.
There are colored bricklayers at work
there. but the color line does not appear
TO have been drawn
1t Is the opinion OF Mr. Milford Spohn
secretary of the local bricklayers union,
that the government cannot get enough
OF non-union bricklayers to take the
places or the strikers Should union men
go to work while the strike is on they
would be fined $40 for every day they
worked
civil service. as it applies to per diem
men,. said Mr.. Spohn. rs farce and
fraud 1t is at the bottom OF this trouble
at Washington barracks. The civil serv-
ice fosters and harbors the worst men in
the trade. From the unions point of
view this strike is in statu quo. We are
waiting for developments The whole
vwt1 hn cd
meeting OF our union. July 2S. 1t may be
carried before the national officers"