Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-22
WITHHOLD CONFERENCE
COMPLAINT OF MASTER PLUMB
Frs TO BE HEARD.

An agreement was reached today for a
meeting tomorrow evening OF joint COM
mittee Of the two master builders asso-
Citations and a committee from the Allied
Building Trades Council for the purpose of
giving consideration to the complaint of
the Plumbers Union as to the conduct of
certain contentious that have been brought
before the board Of arbitration which was
appointed to settle the matters in contro-
versy between the master plumbers and
the journeymen Of that craft. The decis-
ion to hold the joint meeting was reached
this forenoon after conference between
Mr.. Charles A. Langley and Mr.. James L.
Marshall, presidents of the two master
builders associa tons, 1t is announced to
be held at o'clock tomorrow evening in
the Master Builders Hall in the Small
building at 18th and G streets northwest.
In connection with the proposed commit
Tee meeting report was IN circulation that
unless the open shop proposition was elm
mated from consideration by the board of
arbitration a general strike of the
building trades might be precipitated. 1t is
builders will be called upon to consider at
the meeting tomorrow night.
A member of one of the employer asso-
Citations stated to a Star reporter this aft
ernoon that he could not understand what
the master builders can do in the premises
now.
I'm the first instance" he added, 1t was
agreed by the master builders and the COM
mttee representing the workingmen that
all points in dispute between the master
plumbers and the journeymen should be
submitted for final decision to the arbitra-
t1on board of five members, and that what
ever the arbitrators might decide would be
accepted by both sides to the controversy
The board has been appointed and is ready
TOT business, 1t Is said but has not as vet
made decision as to any of the conten-
lions.
Point at Issue.
The 1ourneymen plumbers declare that
the question of the open shop should not 70
before the board for a decision The mas
ter plumbers declare that the open shop is
one of the principal bones of contention and
mas been for some time between the Jour.
neymen plumbers and their employers
we OF the master builders and other en-
pioyers' associations hold that the master
plumbers are right in their contention. and
that the open-shop question having been in
serious issue between employer and work
ingman. should be settled now by the ar
duration board sitting a court of last
resort according to the specific agreement
OF the two parties to the controversy
1t was reiterated this afternoon by or
ganized worAingmen that decision in favor
of the open shop be made by the arbitra-
tors would mean a death blow to the
plumbers union hence their purpose to re-
sist such decision. On the other hand,
Ohhpioy uSCldfe tildl SnOulQ the working
men go back on their agreement to sub
init to the settlement of all matters in con-
troversy they would forfeit the right to
public confidence.
1t was the opinion of bricklayer this
afternoon that the wiser counsels of the
work1ngmen would prevail and that 1.-The
strike talk will end in smoke" as he ex-
pressed 1t.
No Serious Results Expected.
The possibility of general building strike
In the District has caused no alarm among
the building officials at the District build
Ing. They have no fear of such a strike
at this time having any material effect
upon District buildings which are being
constructed. They say the strike being
called at this time of the year is fortunate
for them, because they are about winding
up most of the building operations which
are under the Commissioners supervision.
This strike,' said Building Inspector
Ashford, with his ordinarily placid face
beaming in smiles, when asked what effect
the strike would have upon the District
buildings, comes at most fortunate time
All the buildings provided at the last ses-
sion of Congress have either been COM
pleted or SO nearly so that the strike will
have no effect and those provided for in
the current bill have not been started"