Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-31
IN LABOR CIRCLES
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The absorbing topics in local labor cir
cles are the proposed formation of a
Washington branch of the Building
Trades Structural Alliance and the prob
able outcome of the controversy between
the musicians union and the managers
of the local theaters. That a branch of
the alliance will be organized in this city
there is little doubt in the minds of lead
ers of certain of the building trades.
Some of them go so far as to assert that
the formation of the new body will be
"a death blow" to the Council of Allied
Building Trades.
Prominent members of the council, how
ever do not take such funereal view of
the matter. They say if the proposed
branch of the alliance is formed here 1t
will be short lived and will not seriously
affect the older association. They point
out that the council will have the moral
and financial support Of the trades unions
other than those of the basic branch,
which are affiliated with the Central La
Dor Union. This they urge as strong
point in their favor.
Members of the carpenters unions,
which organizations are said to be the
pioneers of the alliance movement in this
city, allege that the council has become
"a close corporation and an opposition
organization has become necessity
The carpenters decline to be deferred
from their proposition Of forming a
branch of the alliance here, they say, and
certain of them make the claim that the
new body will supplant the old one They
point to the. recent withdrawal Of the
painters union from the Council of Allied
Building Trades as good omen."
The fight between the two factions
which dates, it Is said, from the time the
carpenters unions left the Council of AL
lied Building Trades, is waxing warmer,
although most of the fighting is done be-
hind closed doors. Interesting develop
ments may be looked for in the near flu
ture.
A prominent member of the bricklayers'
union, referring to the efforts that are
being made to form branch Of the alli-
ance in Washington. said attempts were
being made to interest basic building
trades In the movement. and that those
organizations have been officially invited
10 participate in the proposed organiZa-
ton. He added that the trades with he
exception of the painters, carpenters,
plumbers and plasterers. are not ve:y
favorable to the movement. and that with
trades the organization If permanently
effected. could not accomplish the purposes
for which it is proposed to be formed.
1t is reported, he said, that the recent
action OF the painters in summarily with
drawing from the council of building trades
and becoming active in promoting a local
alliance has intensified the opposition of
those trades allied in the local council
which will to great extent retard the for
nation of the new body.
He stated further that at the convention
held on August at Indianapolis Ind, for
the purpose of forming a permanent ma
tional alliance, but five trades were repre-
sented by accredited delegates.
George p Gubbns ex-president of the
Bricklayers and Masons' international
Union. and who was prominent in promot-
the brcklayers are opposed to the organiza-
ton. as Shown by a recent referendum vote
of the subordinate unions.
This convention elected Frank Duffey,
secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters.
national president, and William Spencer of
the plumbers, who is eighth vice presi-
dent OF the American Federation of La Dor,
national secretary treasurer. 1t is also
stated that 1t was decided to establish per-
manent headquarters at Dayton, Ohio.
In their contest with the .theater man
ayers for an increase of salary the Off
GERS of the Musicians Protective Associa-
ton with whom a Star reporter talked
said they would remain "as firm as STEEL
until their demands were granted At
last accounts the managers of nearly all
the local playhouses were equally firm
in their determination to resist the de-
mand of the musicians, which is said to
be for 20 per cent increase in their sal
aries Conservatives on both sides of the
=
Element will be reached
The demand of the musicians for a higher
wage scale was brought to public attention
several weeks ago when Kernan's Lyceum
Iheater opened for the season. The MEM
bers of the orchestra made their demand at
the first matinee performance and it look
ed for time as though a strike was immi-
nent. 1t was decided, however, to hold
the question in allegiance until tomorrow
Complete arrangements are said to have
been made at the Cleveland conference
several days ago between officers of the In
ternational Association of Machinists and
those of the International Association of
Allied Metal Mechanics for consolidating
the two organizations under the name of
the former. The date named for the ANAL
gamation is October 81.
The combining Of the two bodies will give
the International Association of Machinists
jurisdiction over the workers employed in
machine shops throughout the United States
and Canada. The International Association
of Allied Metal Mechanics has 200 local
unions throughout the United States and
22.OO0 men. The International Association
of Machinists has 700 locals with total
membership of $4,000 men.
The International Association of Allied
Metal Mechanics has had jurisdiction over
special skilled men employed in machine
shops, such as the workers on sewing ma
chimes, typewriters, cash registers, guns
and automobiles. The question Of jurisdic-
shops has given the two unions much trou-
BILE and the American Federation Of Labor
at its last convention told them to get to-
gether. The representatives of the organi-
cations met in Toledo in December, but
failed to arrive at any agreement. The
matter of amalagamation was then SUBJ
mitted to a referendum vote and was acted
upon by both.
Now that the machinists at the Washing
ton navy yard have had the vexed Saturday
half holiday question settled to their salts
faction, 1t is said they are preparing to
take up the matter of being given holiday
on Labor day and Inauguration day. Con-
troller Tracewell is reported to have said
that the President had the right, by execu-
tive order, to give the machinists half
holiday with pay on Saturday, but this
did not apply to Labor day and Inaugural
ton day" 1t is said to be the purpose Of
the machinAsts to take the case to Presi-
dent Roosevelt, who they claim evinced his
fairness toward them in the half-holiday
matter.
Eight Of the largest window glass fac
tories in the country will be placed in OPP
GRAFTON September 10 by the American Win
dow Glass Company. Over 5000 idle glass
workers will obtain employment as a re-
suit of the resumption. The fires will not
be drawn until June 10. This will make 1t
a Yinn-month'S fire.