The Washington herald., 1906-11-15
PLUMBERS STILL OUT
Board of Arbitration Unable
to Reach Agreement.
OPEN SHOP IS DISCUSSED
Both sides Refrain from Telling
Cause of Failure 10 Get Together.
President Small, of Telcgrnphers'
Association. Coming TO Washing
ton-War ON Government Operators

A meeting Of the full board Of arOitra-
tion. appointed 20 try 10 settle the differ
ences between the Master Plumbers AS
sociation ana the journeymen plumbers,
was held yesterday afternoon az the Ma
tional Law School rooms. but no deci-
sion was reached. Legal counsel for
both sides were present, Attorney stuart
Mcnamara representing the union. and
Attorney J. 5. Easby-Smith appearing
for the employers
The meeting was a close one. no
outsiders being admitted; but the secre-
tary or the board. Jackson II. RalstOn,
said afterward:
The counsel reported that they had
been unable TO come TO an agreement re-
garding certain minor matters il was
the feeling OF the board that the coun-
sci ought TO get together, and when the
board adjourned, 10 was TO meet again
as soon as those gentlemen report TO
stanton J. Peelle. chairman. that they
are agreed. ] am rather hopeful that
they will get together shortly"
While Mr.. Ralston did not say so, It was
learned from another source that the
open-shop question was discussed. In re-
gard 10 this. however. Mr.. Ralston did
say. There is no foundation whatever
for the report published 10 the effect that
the board is likely to split on the open
shop proposition. ] want to contradict
that most emphaticaHy."
Beyond admitting that the open-shou
question was discussed among others. At
torney Mcnamara had nothing TO say
after the meeting.
May GO ia Labor Union.
AT last nights meeting Of Journeymen
Plumbers Union. No 5. the DELAY OF the
board OF arbitration was informally dis
cussed.
II Is expected the matter Will be taken
before the Central Labor Union next Mon
day night. when it viii probably be pre-
sented by Delegates John Barrett, A. Fer
nan, and William Merriman.
A prominent member Of No. 8 said last
night
The matter has really passed beyond
our hands now and is in charge Of the
Building Trades Union. OF course. We
are awaiting the finding Of the board OF
arbitration. but il is not To be expected
that we VIII admit the open-sh0p ques-
ton. That is entirely foreign TO the origf-
nal isues under discussion. and as q union
we could not consider such question for
q moment"
TeIegraPhers' President Coming.
President 8 J. Small. OF the CONNER
cial Telegraphers' Association OF Ameri-
ca, should be in Washington tomorrow
or Friday" said a local officer Of that
Organization yesterday afternoon.
4 do not know. Of course. what the
result OF his visit Will be. but it vii
probably result in the attention Of Con.
gress being called to existing conditions
ia the Capital CITY
'sThe main trouble is that there ars
many telegraphers here employed durins
the day by the government. Their pay IS
small. and so. in order TO Increase theil
earnings. they are in the habit OF sub.
bing at nights in the Postal and Western
Union Offices. We regular employees Zee
that is unfair. as It deprives our mem
bers Of the opportunity TO earn the extra.
which We consider our due.
In regard 10 the complaint relating c,
the short time permitted Western CnioT
operators for lunch. and the fines imposed
in this connection, the following state
meut was made in the managers Office
yesterday.
The Western Union Company does no
want the dTiblets which may come TO Il
through fines imposed upon its men. what
IL wants is 10 be able 90 depend upor
these men 10 be al their places wher
needed. The lunch-time is q matter fol
the men 20 settle among themselves.
The day force goes off at . O'Clock
the night force at 12-20. this is by wish
Of the men themselves. who were for
meTly allowed half an hour for lunch. but
remained half an hour later in COnSe-
auence. ] don't think there Is any com
plant coming from the men as individ-
uals. Salaries in this Office run as high
as $50 a month for men at the keys, and
higher for those in positions OF response
biity. There have been no complaints re-
ceived at this Office