Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-14
PRESENT SOLID FRONT
Crisis Stage IN Labor Situation
IN Washington.
MEETING OF DELEGATES
Representatives Of Trades Discussing
the Outlook.
IT'S LIFE OR DEATH STRUGGLE
Master Builders Declare Construction
Work Shall Go Discrepancies
Walk Out Today.
MEETING OF DELEGATES
Representatives Of Trades Discussing
IT'S LIFE OR DEATH STRUGGLE

The crisis stage has been reached IN the
labor situation In this city.
This was the opinion of both master build
ers and journeyman mecnau:cs with whom
a Star reporter talked today The master
builders and boss mechanics 1t Is said Will
present a solid front against the demands
Of organized labor.
On the other hand. the trades unions OF
this city have declared VITA equal vigor
that the present contest will be fight to
finish.
Conspicuous and significant happenings to-
day were,' first. a big meeting of the repre-
sentattves Of journeyman carpenters. brick
layers. painters plumbers. steamf;t ,els.
plasterers. ironworkers. sheet and metal
workers. hodcarriers and other building
trades. which was held at Costelio's Hall,
9Th and G streets northwest, this after
man carpenters which took place this
morning on number of buildings in the
course Of construction.
One instance is cited in which twenty-five
carpenters gathered up their tools and went
on g strike from the big apartment house
which Is being erected by w. E. Spier Com
pany. ON Calvert street northwest.
Object Of the Journeymen.
The meeting Of the workmen in the build
ing trades this afternoon was called for the
purpose of determining whether there
should be general tie-up of all building
operations in the District following the lead
of the bricklayers. who have declared a
sympathetic strike in favor Of the locked
out plumbers. The outlook is that the con-
flict between the master builders and the
worktngmen Is now fairly on, and unless
the unexpected happens the building situa-
ton here VIII be serious one and all the
contemplated fall building work will be de-
clared OF. At the meeting Of the Centra2
Labor Union last night this matter was
generally discussed by the delegates from
the several trades unions. 1t was the con-
sensus Of opinion that the present fight
means life or death of labor organizations
in the District. 1t was pointed out that the
alleged tendency Of the employers assoeia-
lions Of this city Is toward the open shop,
and one delegate said:
I'VE do not propose to stand idly by and
let the masters association eliminate us
aone by one. The printers h0rseshoers, pa,
perhangers, bottlers, plumbers and car
riage and wagon workers are having an
experience with the open-shop tendency
which will be an object lesson for the other
trades unions of the city. The time has
arrived, IN my opinion, for the working
men of Washington to form an unbroken
front against this movement to destroy
our unions piecemeal and conduct business
here. without an equitable regard for either
wages or hours"
The statement was made by Secretary w.
E. Winslow Of the Central Labor Union
that the members of the Bridge and Struc-
tura1 Ironworkers Union had joined those
of the building trades unions in their SYM
pathetic strike. -
This is a critical stage" said Mr.. Win
slow. "but We are well prepared to con-
duct our fight and will do so vigorously
Hopes for Early Settlement
One of the plumbers delegates declared
hat u-ith hc anil nv Of
ton on the part of the building trades. lie
believed the matter would soon be set
tied. He also gave 1t as his belief that the
outcome of the present contest means 1.-The
life or death of labor organizations
The master builders still declare they will
complete the unfinished work In this city.
The intimation was strongly made by one
of them that 1t might be necessary because
of the aggressive action of the building
trades unions to import non-union me-
chanics to this city in large numbers to
complete outstanding contracts. 1t was
also declared that the present unfortunate.
situation would be serious setback TO
building operations
In view Of the combination meeting Of ali
the building trades this afternoon It Is said
that steps will be taken at once to hold
a meeting of the master builders. the mas
ter plumbers, bricklayers, carpenters and
others who employ labor.
Confer Regarding Program.
The meeting at Costellos Hall this
afternoon was comprised of the business
agents of the building trades unions. The
principal object in view is to adopt a
program of concerted action to be OBJ
served at the joint meeting tomorrow
of the journeymen workers and master
builders.
1t is understood that organization has de-
termined to maintain unity and decline to
yield In the controversy unless equitable
concession shall be made by the employers.
Those present maintained secrecy as to
the proceedings and declined to discuss the
situation.
Master Builders Views.
In discussing the strike situation from
the master builders viewpoint. a leading
contractor said this afternoon to a re-
porter for The Star that many of the
contractors Of the city would doubtless
be able to maintain operations on build
ings now In course of construction, no
matter what action might be taken by
the trades unions.
He was of the opinion, however. that the
strike would certainly defeat for time the
best efforts that might be put forth on the
part of the builders to prevent q Susuensf0n