The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-06-26

Declaring as untrue the statements IN
the letter of the Employers Association
10 the effect that the building industry
Of Washington is on the decline due 10
the efforts of organized labor. the Build
Ing Trades Mechanics Council last night
appointed a committee TO work in con-
junction with like committee from the
Central Labor Union in framing an an
swer, which will probably be made pub
lie tonight.
The following statement was given Out
by the council at the close Of a meeting
in CostelIo's Hall.
The measures which have been taken
by the employers to defeat us in the pres
ent struggle are hardly fair. On one Of
the buildings on which a partial lockout
has taken place a committee from this
organization called upon It's board OF
managers for the purpose Of adjusting the
difficulty and to discuss ways and means
whereby the locked out men could be re-
instated.
Blamed on supply Men.
"A member Of the board informed our
committee that the employers had in
formed him that the reason work had
ceased on this building was due 20 the
fact that the supply men had refused 20
sell building material until the troubles
have been adjusted. This statement is
absolutely untrue. as will be proven Dy
the supply men themselves"
Although no new lockouts have been
declared is Hr Of
the Central Labor Union asking all afIlll-
ated bodies 10 assist She council will go
into effect within the next few days.
Jackson II RalstOn. counsel FOR the
organized workmen Of Washington. yes
terday sent a reply 20 the Employers
Association. in which Il IS stated that
the letter appears 70 oyerstate the case
Of the association and 20 ignore elements
which cannot be entirely overlooked
Il DO not feel at liberty. Of course 10
express any opinion as 10 the merits Of the
dispute between the master and the Jour-
neyman plumbers" says Mr. RaIstou I
can only regret that the Employers Ass1-.
citation considers itself justified IN resort
Ing 20 "a lockout this being a wsrIike
measure OF a nature closely correspond
ing to that Of a strike"
NOT question OF wages.
A reply was Immediately sent by the
Employers Association % Mr. Ralston,
and through him % the interested labor
bodies in which it was stated that his let
ter did not address Itself TO the real ques-
ton at issue, which is not a question Of
wages
'Our point on this line SAYS the as
ISOLATION. 'is that the unions. having an
absolute monopoly Of the labor market,
have naturally tended TO become less ef-
fcient and that this decreased efficiency
Of labor is the chief cause Of the present
abnormal cost Of building construction.
This phase Of the question you do not
touch
In conclusion, you say you DO not de-
sire 20 express an opinion on the merits
Of the controversy. Let Us ask you II
You believe that Il Is for the best interests
Of the building industry and the city Of
Washington 10 give organized labor or
any other single class an absolute mCn0p-
oily Of the market in any necessary com
modify? Also, as a member Of the Cham
Der Of Commerce, do YOU believe that
outside capital will be likely 20 become
interested 10 starting new industries in a
city whose one present great industry IS
in the control Of a labor monopoly"
It was stated at laDoT headquarters
yesterday that only union plasterers are
at work on the synagogue Of the Adas
Israel Jewish Congregation. and that the
outlook for organized labor is brighter
than il has been for some time