Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-09

WIN the fullest meaning of the word as
upon more mature consideration hv those
| boys, who have staked their all on this
mistake ' VI mon
| That the public may have some under
| standing of the conditions unon wbich
plumbing work is carried out by the
| plumbers In Washington, it is only neces-
sary to cite the following:
ne WASHINGTON season for building
| extends usually from March | To January
During this period all of the soher 3,d
competent plumbers invariably have ON
| pioyment. Necessarily there are the roontb.
| 81 H., January ana February when the build
its ,rdoes are slack and perhaps so per cent
| or the men who work THROUGH tba -
| months are idle 'i0 o'iiei
How Work is Carried On
The conditions under which 49, -, .
| carried on are-the iourneyn,er b,nsta -
.oois exclusively. the helpers accomnanving
them solely as assistants in bringing M,
.eridis TO their hands. Under no circ,,n,
! stailees are helpers permitted TO use any,
KIND of tools. A drastic law of the tour-
eymen union is to the effect that in tho
IN tauiilS OF pipe even, If the helper works
at the wise the journeyman must do 80
! ing Wnlie the boy is thus employed tho
ooJect pelng to give just as little work rs
70 tba ~, ~ tiie employer, and through him.
" Tue pupHc TWO apprentices are allowed
each shop, and such apprentices are al
lowed to handle tools and are what is
hiNo JuiiIOl PLUMBERS Whether IN
pIoyer mas on his rolls 100 men or only one
the same just
r,, An agreement between the Master
runners Association and the tourney
men union signed four years ago and
Which expires in 1905 stipulates that two
heipers VIII be allowed for every three
plumbers employed. This Implies that two
OF these plumbers can have assistants and
the third must work alone"
Demands Made Last Summer.
me statement of the master plumbers
adds that last year, in July or Ar,,,st
when building was active here and tho
master plumbers had all the contracts they
couid handle, the journeymen came to them
as individuals, they stated, and demanded
mat the helpers and apprentices should
nave union cards or they would strike The
master plumbers were helpless and while
they did not accede to this demand as an
association, they did so where absolutely
compelled to- solely as individuals but they
signed no agreement to this effect and
strongly protested against the technical
violation of the signed agreement between
the two associations.
The Journeymen having failed to elimi-
nate the helper, 1t is further stated during
their strike of four years ago sought nv
embracing the entire body of BOYS who
were at that time employed in the union
ana then closing the books shutting out
other boys who were not fortunate enough
to be employed at that time land DENYING
to every boy In Washington in the future
MS constitutional right to learn a trade
Since this union OF the boys was formed
many plumbers have received applications
from strong, sturdy, intelligent boys who
had commendable ambition to learn the
plumbing trade, but they have been turned
down. Furthermore, the master plumbers
have been compelled by the journeymen
refusing to work with bows not belonging
to this union to do with less than one-tbir5
OF the quota of helpers allowed them by the
signed agreement 1t is the expressed in
tention or the Journeymen to get rid of the
helpers by hook or crook, no matter what
the cost, and in this way they expect to
build a wall around Washington compel
ling It's citizens TO confine the business of
plumbing to the 265 journeymen in the local
union and keep out at all hazards work
men from other cities by fines and exorbi-
tant initiation fees and playing the dog-n-
the-manger act, thereby limiting the
amount of Improvements the city may
make from year to year.
Rights as Free Americans.
The promise made by the Journeymen's
association to the boys if they would desert
their employers that in event of the
victory by them in the present trouble the
boys could demand $3.50 per day, while they
are now receiving as helpers an average OF
rs cents. We are informed they have made
like overtuTes to the Plumber I.aborers
Union and have promised to stand behind
them for advance. 1t is easy for the
average citizen to calculate what his plunb-
ing bills will be in the future should the
present lockout result in the failure of the
employers.
The statement made recently in the press
that the master plumbers send boys out to
do the work for which they charge Journey
mems prices is characterized as almost too
absurd to require contradiction. drastic
rule of the journeymen's union requires that
under no circumstances viii helpers be per-
mitted to handle tools of any description
and this is regarded sufficient REPUTATION of
the charge.
Alleged Unfair Regulations.
THE Master Plumbers Association has
been seriously beset with unfair reguIa-
lions. it is alleged made and enforced by
the journeyn1en simply because the condi-
lions of the contracts In hand demanded
submission. BY reason of such the plumb
ing business has ceased to be profitable in
the least degree, that this year they
were confronted by either making a stand
for square deal or going out of business
and they have unanimously chosen the for
mer- All of the conditions covered by this
strike or lockout have been fully covered by
largely attended meetings, and they stand
today as they will year hence. If necessary
for a square deal In the truest sense of the
word.
's,The boys who have been thrown a rope
with which to hang themselves. " the mas
ter plumbers declare. we hope viii see the
error of their way before Monday next. and,
after the excitement and hurrah of the
meeting held Wednesday night has been dis
sipated. they win come to a sober under
standing that the employers are their
friends and protectors and have vouehsafed
them opportunities to make living and
learn a trade, and who will continue TO have
bright American boys TO learn the trade In
the future"
Locked-out Men Hold Meeting
There was a large assemblage of the
locked-out plumbers at their headquarters
in Costelo's Hall this forenoon and adj
dresses were made by several of the Off
GERS of the Plumbers Union. They said their
cause was just one and urged the men TO
stand firm for their rights. The speakers
were frequently interrupted by applause.
It is believed the union will make a state
ment of its side of the controversy tomor-
row.
Master plumbers claimed today that