Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-27
NEW PHASE OF STRIKE
Associate Building Trades
Action May Cause Break
I'M rhNOTppSI TTnuT
IN TRANSFERS FIGHT
HAS CHECKED PERIL TO CHI
CAGo'S BUILDING INDUSTRY.
Contest May Spread to Express Men
in Other Cities-Lumber Driv-
ers Resumed Work.


ers Resumed Work.
CHICAGO, May c7.-Attention of strikers
and employers was centered largely today
the effect Of the action OF the Associate
Building Trades. accounted the strongest
labor body in Chicago. and representing IN
its membership upward of 1900 union
workmen- This body having withdrawn
both moral and financial support from the
teamsters' cause. the first effect will be TO
cut off nearly $1,000 week from the strlk.
ers funds The subsequent effect is prob-
lematical, many thinking it means the first
break in the struggle, the beginning of the
end
In any event It seems to check the peril
to the whole building industry of the city,
a situation which had become one of the
great problems of the strike
Further this withdrawal of financial sup,
port is particularly trying at a time when
finances are serious problem The re-
sponse to the request for contributions from
the country at large has, ii is alleged. not
been up to expectations and with a daily
expense OF $1,000, financial stringency may
be the rock on which the strike will ba
wrecked
Strike Lowered Coal Prices.
d
low record in the price of bituminous coal, as
compared with previous depression during
| the past ten years, has been established.
| This applies to the coal situation generally
| IN the western trade according to the Black
Diamond. The retail trade in anthracite
IN Chlcago Is also feeling the effects of the
| teamsters strike to q greater extent than
| was expected, due to the duration OF tha
| industrial troubles. Extraordinary efforts
are being made by some of the dealers I'd
secure business
The market is on an irregular basis,
| Long time credits are being given by deals
| ers to induce consumers to take in coal,
anu IN some instances prices are below
| those which the retailer should have OBJ
tanned Tor his product in April. These ir,
regularities will further complicate thk
SITUATION unless the strike is ended shortly
and consumers begin to take an interest IN,
| their future requirements.
New Element in Situation.
Possible spread Of the strike of the eye
| press drivers to other cities is a new elek
| ment in the situation. The trip of Bust>
ness Agent James Barry of the expres6
drivers to New York has caused the idea
| to be given credence. Some of the labof
| leaders say that the object of Barry's triu
| 10 New York is the obtaining of funds fof
| the striking men IN Chicago.
| Fifty picked men from the express drive
ers have been directed by the union to 90
| to fifty large cities of the country and
demand may be made by every expresS
Waeonfnan local that the Chicago drivers
| De relnstated or a general strike be de$
| clared against all express companies.
lnconsiderate action of teamsters toe
| ward carpenters, plumbers and other mend
bers of unions affiliated with the AssoS
| cfated Building Trades Council is said tod
| day to have been the direct cause Of tho
| action of the Building Trades Council iu
| withdrawing moral and financial support
| from the teamsters' strike. The alleged
| affront of the teamsters resulted in a
twill nr
new office building of the Chicago and
| Northwestern railway, Jackson boulevard
| and Franklin street.
Contention Over Safes.
A number of vaults and safes had been
delivered at the building by union driverst
| who proceeded themselves to set the safesI
| The other workmen struck. claiming thac
| teamsters were not constructors, and as a
| result this brought instantly to a focus d
| much agitated question of Jurisdiction bes
| tween unions. The trades council to pres
vent further action of this sort on the part
of fellow -unionsts, voted to withdraw sups
| port from the teamsters' strike.
| There has long been a dispute between
various factions as to whether the safs
and machinery drivers are teamsters or en<
gagged in constructive trade. The matter
| was brought to head at the Northwestern
| building, and has resulted in the teamsterS
| losing much needed support of other tradeS
when strike affairs are at climax.
The bridge and structural iron workers
claim it is within their scope to set steel
| vaults. yet the work is now being done by
| members of the Machinery Transfers
Union. who receive 30 cents an hour. whil9
the iron workers get 5612 cents. Numerous
| Instances of the kind have occurred, max.
| ing bitter feeling between the unions in<
| volved.
Strikers Returned to Work.
Twenty union drivers for the Adam
| Schille Lumber Company, who have been
| out on strike, returned to work today, un-
| der an agreement with the company, the
exact nature of which was not made public
| 1t was said, however, that the firm expects
| ed to make its usual deliveries.
Rioting Renewed Today.
Rioting was renewed today near the re-
| tail shopping district. Missiles were thrown
and blockade formed at South Water and
State streets. Three wagons driven by.
non-union men became wedged between a
number of heavy trucks at the corner. This
blockade had been cleared, when a trolley
| car blocked the way, and missiles began td
| fly. patrol wagon load of police disc
| persed the mob
Levy Mayer, attorney for the Employers
| Association, left today for New York, and
| it is expected his mission in the east Will
| have an important bearing on the Chicago
| strike situation. 1t is believed he has been
summoned to New York TO lay before the
| head officials of the express companies the
| strike conditions in Chicago and suggest a
| line of campaign to be followed IN the con-
| test with the labor unions. Mr.. Mayer VIII
| remain in New York only twentyfour
| hours would not discuss the object of his
| hurried trip east, but in response to the
question whether or not the express compa--
nies were weakening, said: mo, their stand
| is as firm ever"
Dead Body Found in Water Tank.
| Special Dispatch to The Star.