Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-11
TWILL Be RADICAL STEP
All Building Operations Said to
Be Threatened.
LOCAL STRIKE SITUATION
General Rupture, With Delay and In
convenience.
NATURE, OF PROPOSED ACTION
Supply Agent Declares That Time for
Temporizing Has -Strug-
gle's Probable Effect.
NATURE, OF PROPOSED ACTION


building operations. The strained relations
between the trades unions and the employ
ing organizations, growing out of the lock-
out of the jouneymen plumbers by the
master plumbers last march. have reached
a degree of tension which gives promise of
a general rupture with consequent delay
and Inconvenience in the construction OF
buildings. In the past few days, as stated
in The Star, the policies of the trades
unions have been taking form in a direc-
ton which seemed to indicate this result.
1t Is now stated that the situation may be
brought to focus without further delay at
meeting Of the master builders this after
noon at o'clock. in Master Builders Hall,
corner of 18th and G streets northwest.
The exact nature of the action proposed
could not be learned this morning, but 1t is
stated that the master builders contemplate
calling of from the buildings now in course
OF construction all mechanics and other
workmen. 1t is further said that their pur-
pose in taking such action would be to make
the tie-up of building operations in the Dis
trict practically complete, 80 that the par
ties to the contention which resulted in the
lockout of the plumbers the walkout of the
bricklayers and the sympathetic action of
other trades organizations will be compelled
to arrive at some amicable settlement. or
else remain idle throughout the remainder
of the building season.
Regarded as Radical Step.
This Will be a radical step" said a
building supply agent to a Star reporter to-
day, "but the master builders believe they
will be justified in taking it, as they de-
clare that the time for temporizing has
passed and the vexed question Of the mas
ter plumbers and the journeymen. plumbers
should be settled now for all time"
Ia 1oo
the bricklayers union said to The Star re-
porter that the tendency of the m ,sters'
trades associations OF late has been toward
the open shop, and. 1t is claimed that II
they are left alone By the Unions thew viii h
no doubt engage ina strong movement in
the near future, tending toward the eifn-
nation OF trades unions and the Wholesale
Introduction of labor in the District.
long and bitter struggle Is expected If
the situation develops into a clear-cut con-
test between the master builders and the
federation OF trades unions. Should the
former succeed in the aims advanced. If is
pointed out, the result would tend To the
promotion OF the open shop plan in this
city. 80 .''-'
Probable Results.
The probable effect of the struggle upon
the construction Of public buildings in
this city, such as the new District build
ing the union station and others is oc-
casionlng much concern. It is well under.
stood that protracted contest would very
likely put the contractors in charge Of
those structures to very great dif1culty
In their effort to complete the work within
a prescribed time.
The action of the carpenters in following
the example Of the journeymen bricklayers
in their sympathetic strike has given more
definite form to the situation. It is stated
that the members Of the Brotherhood of
Carpenters have determined to do as the
bricklayers have done in refusing to work
on those structures where plumbers are
employed who do not belong to the union
1t is understood the journeymen painters
are in line with the bricklayers and car
penterS.
Expression of Sympathy.
Members of the various building trades
unions and miscellaneous trades organiza-
tions were emphatic today in their express
sion Of sympathy for the locked-out plumb
ers. The fact that the policy of the open
shop is involved was emphasized as being
of the highest Importance to the trades
unions. 1t was asserted that the very ex-
istence of the unions was threatened by the
attitude Of the masters associate That
body. it was declared. in declining to enter
into further negotiations with the journey
men plumbers had virtually refused to arbi-
trate.
Speaking for the master plumbers, a
member of that organization stated to-
recognize the journeymens union as such
in the contention. but that the members
now out as the result of the lockout
meth0ls could return to work at any time
as individuals.
Work Has Not Suffered.
1t was asserted that the work in which
the plumbers are engaged had not ma
terially suffered by the lockout. Other
men, it was added, had been put in the
places of those compelled to give up their
employment
Mr.. Oscar w. White, real estate dealer
of this city, said to reporter for The
Star today that he was in favor of a gen.
eral strike in the hope that the result
would be the general recognition of the
open shop plan.
I hope all the trade unions will go out !"
he said, 'and that the places now occupied
by their members will be fled by others.
This I believe is one of the best ways of
settling the vexed question. In my opinion
the trades workmen Of this city are very
well provided for in the mater Of wages
and short hours Of labor. and I believe that
it they are not content with what they
are getting they should be forced to give
way to Others"
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