Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-23
WORK WILL BERESUMED
MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION
DECIDES ON ACTION.
Progress Of the Local s ympathetic
strike-Employment Of Mechanics
Not Union Members.

Work will be resumed the first of next
week on the unfinished buildings in the
District according to- Mr.. James L. Mar
shall, president Of the Master Builders AS
ISOLATION. Operations on these structures
were suspended because Of the sympathetic
strike of the building trades and their
avowed intention to fight against the open
shop tendency, which. they claim, has made
its appearance in this city.
1t was strongly intimated by Mr.. Mar
shall that unless the union mechanics re-
sumo work by next Monday their places
will be filled with any workmen who can
be secured. non-unon or otherwise.
Certain unfinished building operations
must and shall go on was the way he
put it.
The president Of the builders assoca-
ton explained that the existing difficulty
was not of the masters seeking and that
they owed it to their patrons with whom
they had entered into contracts that build
lngs under way should be completed at
the earliest practicable moment, and that
such would be the policy in dealing with
the troubled conditions.
To Continue at All Hazards.
1t was learned from another source that
at the meeting of the Master Builders As
ISOLATION last evening the determination
was reached to continue building opera
lions next week at all hazards. Also that
arrangements are now being made to Sc
cure the services of mechanics who are
not members Of the unions in order to carry
out the program. 1t was added that the
master builders decided to give to the pub
lie. If it be deemed necessary. statement
explaining why it was necessary for them
to employ non-uniOn labor.
A labor leader who Is taking active
part in the movement against the open
shop here said today that the associated
building trades of the District have, by
unanimous vote. pledged their support one
to the other to stand together against the
open shop in all trades. especially that of
bricklaying. He stated that the latter
craft has in the past always taken an in
dependent stand in all labor disputes. 1t
was set forth that the international or
ganizatfon of bricklayers has ordered all
affiliated locals to refrain from signing
binding agreement not to go out on sympa-
thetic strikes 1t was the decision of the
last national convention of bricklayers
that any labor organization signing such
agreement thereby wrote itself not
labor union, but a fraternal association.
Unions Here Conservative.
The labor leader said that the unions here
had been more conservative than those of
any other city Of the same size, and that II
the master builders would enter into an
agreement similar to that they had with
the late Allied Building Trades Council such
difficulties as the present would be averted.
and their action would materially assist the
Greater Washington movement. This agree
ment. it was explained, provided that all
subcontra ctOrs should employ union work.
men, and for several years while that con-
tract was in force there were no labor
troubles In this city. All contentious be-
tween the labor unions and the master
builders were promptly settled by arbitra-
ton, as were controversies between the sub
contractors and the workmen.
1.-THE building trades" the labor leader
explained, ARE united stronger at this time
than ever before. Then why should not the
builders and building trades get together
and settle the present trouble for the well
fare Of all and the Greater Washington
movement as well?'