Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-13

Mr.. James L. Marshall president of the
Master Builders Association, Informed a
Star reporter this afternoon that the tan
gled skein is now IN such shape that he
did not see how the master builders can
unravel it. 1t Is his bellef that If the mat
ter is to be adjusted t must be accom-
plshed by the journeymen plumbers ard
bricklayers. respectively, and the employ
ers. Mr.. Marshall also said that practically
all the builders in the city ara willing to
employ union workmHn.
Building Operations Tied Up.
The statement was made on excellent au-
thority late this afternoon that the walk
out of the bricklayers has resulted in tying
up nearly all of the prospective building
operations for the coming fall, and that un-
less there is a speedy settlement of the
labor difficulties the result will be disas-
treus to those who contemplated erecting
buildings in the ensuing three months. TO
be ready for occupancy before the snow
flies.
The statement was made with emphasis
today by a master builder that work on the
buildings now in course of construction
".must go on" He implied that unless the
bricklayers vacate the stand they have
taken and return to work. there may be
lockout of all workmen in the building
trades here. and that. In order to complete
the partly finished structures, the master
builders may resort to the general intro
duction of non-union mechanics in the Dis
trict. 1t was also said that in the future
the associations of master builders, plumb
ers bricklayers and others may decline to
make contracts with labor unions unless
the latter agree to put up forfeit bonds OF
$4,000 or more for the carrying out of their
part of the contract. Hitherto. 1t was re-
marked. the labor unions have declined to
furnish such bond.
One of the several sides presented In the
building situation here Is that the master
builders have entered into contracts with
the master plumbers to perform the work
Necessary L ItdlngS In course OF
construction. This restraints them. there
fore. from putting other plumbers to work
on the job. To do so would be In violation
OF the contracts they have with the en-
plOying plumbers and would render them
liable TO suit by the plumbers Another OBJ
stacle which presents itself to the master
builders. should they attempt to put outside
plumbers at work on the uncompleted build
ings. Is the provision of the plumbing regu-
lations of the District government. which
prohibits any man from working at that
trade unless, after passing an examination.
he Is duly registered.
Instances Cited.
In speaking of the cessation of nearly all
the prospective building operations In the
District. master builder said that only to-
day he had advised a capitalist who had
bought a large tract OF land with a view of
erecting number of large structures on 1t.
not to make a single move until the labor
conditions had assumed normal phase.
Other cases of this kind were cited In real
estate circles.
One case referred to that of a partly
constructed row of buildings In the eastern
section OF the city. The bricklayers on this
work were ordered out on strike in SYM
psthy with the plumbers the latter part of
last week. Owing to this walk-out of the
bricklayers the master builder who has con-
tracted to do the work says he was COM
PEELED to lay of the large force of car
penters who were engag ed there and he be-
lieves he will have to pursue the same
course with the other mechanics and la
borers on the job.
In explaining the position of the journey
mn bricklayers in this controversy a lead
Ing member of the brcklayers' union said
the matter had resolved itself into a life
and-death struggle between the unions and
employers of the District. The walkout OF
the bricklayers. he said. was a step or self
preservation. He added that the tendency
OF the employers association OF the Dis
trict In the past two years had been toward
the open shop" and cited illustrations
master horseshoers. master printers, m aster
bottiers and master plumbers all Of whom,
ne said. had openly declared in favor Of
the open shop.
III we permit this thing to continue" he
said. 1T Will not be long until all trades
unions In the District are eliminated There
fore. It behooves us to act In concert
trade autonomy"
The master builders say they are pro.
tected In their building contracts by what
NAio"h 10 tIc Strike clause This will
II Is said. prohibit the enforcement of what
Is known as the penalty clause" During
the past two or three years. owing to the
frequency OF labor strikes. the master
builders have inserted In every Contract
the clause protecting them against for
FIXTURES in the event Of strikes. Therefore
as master builder explained the situation
to a Star reporter this afternoon, mo one
can take my building contracts from me.
and 1 need not continue the work as long
as the strike continues IL I find II impos-
blbie TO get non union workmen."
Views Of Real Estate Men.