Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-09
COMPLETE TIE-UP
IS THREATENED
Local Labor Situation Reaches
the Acute Stage.
IN FEAR OF THE OPEN SHOP
Organized Workingmen Say Fight Is
on the Union Shop.
VIEWS OF THE EMPLOYERS
Masters Declare They Intend to Con-
duct Business Without Outside
Interference or Dictation.

The labor situation here has ap-
parently reached the acute stage.
The organized workingmen Of
Washington declare that masked
behind the present movement of the
Master Builders Association and the
EMPLOYERS Association is the open
shop for the District of Columbia
They have therefore announced
through the Central Labor Union
and the Building Trades Mechanics
Council that the fight for the union
shop is on, and will be conducted
vigorously. A general strike of the
building trades appears to be in
evitable. The employers state that
they are determined to continue
their present attitude toward the
tyranny of organized labor" and to
conduct their business according to
their own views and without outside
interference or dictation. This de-
termination will, it is believed, result
in a more general lockout OF the
building trades. Unless both sides
to the controversy get together"
and agree upon some plan OF settle
ment, complete tie-up of building
operations in the District is threat
ened
The Employers Association late this aft
ernoon gave out the following statement
bearing on the acute and strained situation
IN the building industry as a result OF the
action OF the Central Labor Union and
- BTickIayers' Union last night:
The labor unions have at last come from
under their cover and openly declared war
for the closed shop, and. hoping to divert
the attention of the public, assert that such
action is in defense of the fight of the En-
ployers' Association.
The EMPLOYERS Association has never
taken the initiative in any move against a
labor union. but has and will resist all
unions which endeavor to obstruct the
building industry and to monopolize by re-
stricted membership and decreased etfl-
cheney the supply of labor.
"A review of the present controversy
shows without question that the employers
have in no instance curtailed production, or
have they raised their hand against any
class of mechanics until every known
means has been exhausted to promote con-
tnuous work.
Agree as to Conspiracy.
1.-The employers agree that there is a con-
epiracy but that ii is that of the unions to
resort by fair means or foul to extort from
the public, through their monopoly, such
toll they may fix from time to time,
whether 1t be by curtaiment of output or
by equal wage for the incompetent slow
workman and the expert mechanic.
1.-The statement of one of their officers, i
believe in contracts and believe that they
should be lived up to; but l would never
hive up to any contract that had as its OBJ
1ect by one of the contracting parties the
destruction of the others shows clearly
the unions idea of agreements that the
only party expected TO adhere to the con-
ditions is the employer and that the unions
will observe agreement only when il is
made in accordance with their dictat on.
The employers realize this condition, and
base hopes for the future prosperity on
such one-sided agreements. nor do they
feel that any conference can result bene-
fcially with parties VINO have repeatedly
violated agreements to abide by the dec!-
sion of dsiUterested arbitrator, and nave
gone to the extreme OF openly advocating
the dIsregarding OF signed written agree
ment.
What Employers Desire.
The members Of the Employers Assdcia-
tion have no desire 20 drive their employees
to the poOrhouse. nor do they intend to go
into bankruptcy themselves, but, on the
other hand. are anxious To continue to EN-
pIoy the skilled workmen that have been
working in the past, at the prevailing rate
of wages. but insist on a fair days work
for such wage, and that work must pro-
coed without stoppage, restriction or en-
barrassmcnt and at all times reservng the
privilege OF running Their own business
without diCtation from the unions"
a member of the Employers Associa-
uon IN commenting on the press reports
OF the proceedings OF the Central Labor
Union meeting OF last night stated that
the only night that is on at the present
time is that of the labor unions tor the
absolutely closed shop. that such a condi
ton has never prevailed in this cIty and
that the employers. being mindful of tbe
tntolerable conditions that would be
brought about 10y such a result will CON
ttnue to resist the formation of such a
monopoly.
Alleged Tyranny of Labor.
The statement was made by a master
builder today in reply to the charge of the
trades unions that the employers of Wash
tngton have entered into conspira CIV
against the organized workngmen that no
action the employers may take can equal
the tyranny of labor that the EMPLOYERS are
compelled under existing circumstances 10
put up with.
The speaker also said the fight as begun
by the employers will be carried on unceas-
angly. ana that plenty of mont union mechau-
ics of all the building trades can and will
be procured to iii the places of the locked
out unionists or those who may go out on
strike.
Use of Plain English
Terse, vigorous plain English echoed
through the meeting room of the Central
Labor Union last night when former Presi-
lent Brinkman introduced a resolution
! Bearing upon the lockout situation of the
Suilding trades. The reading OF the docu-