Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-13
Both Sides in Contest Awaiting
Developments.
BUT LITTLE ACTIVITY TODAY
Statement Issued by Washington En-
ployers' Association.
REVIEW OF THE SITUATION
Bricklayers Expected to Reach Definite
Conclusion Before Monday-Com-
mittee Meeting Tonight.

Both the employers and the employees who
are involved in the building trades contest
in the District We're resting on their oars to-
day, and, Micawber-iike, waiting for some
thing To turn up. That there will be some
happenings the first of next week is the
opinion of knowing ones.
The committee appointed by the Central
Labor Union to give consideration TO the
building trades trouble will meet this even
ing at the office of Mr.. John II. Brink
man, late president of the central body,
but what action will probably be taken
could not he forecasted with any degree of
certainty Whatever recommendations the
committee may decide upon will be pre-
scented in open session at the meeting or
the Central Labor Union Monday evening
Il was stated today that the Bricklayers
Union has never made request to the
Employers Association for a conference
with that body, and as the week in which
the layers of brick We're permitted to work
with non-unioniSts expired at noon today,
II is believed that determination either
to continue at work or to go on strike will
be reached before Monday morning. In
the meantime II is said that vice presl-
dent of the Bricklayers' International
Union is expected to reach Washington
this evening or tomorrow.
Statement by Employers.
The Employers Association of Washing
ton in an official statement issued today
concerning the present strained conditions
in the building trades says If anything
more were needed to justify the present
stand of the Employers Association and
to show that the present crisis is one that
vitality concerns the future not only of the
building industry but Of the city of Wash
ingtOn the resolutions and speeches OF the
last meeting of the Central Labor Union
supply the lack in full measure. The en-
ployers determined, thss say, that the
public shall realize the full significance of
the situation and that the questions at
stake shall be kept clear and well defined.
Some of the more interesting and significant
statements made at the union meeting Will
be noticed.
1T was said that the employers are in
conspiracy to establish an open shop" the
statement continues, 'as though, II true,
this were crime. An open shop Is shop
open to all workmen, irrespective of MEM
bership in any organization. If the en-
ployers had agreed to establish an open
shop. which they have not. the term con-
spiracy' would scarcely be applicable to
their agreement
After discussing the conditions which pre-
coded the lockout in which the decisions of
the arbitration board ana the later decision
reached by a joint committee over which
Capt. James F. oyster presided, all of
which has been previously rehearsed in The
Star, the employers say:
Decision Ignored.
THE unions ignored this decision entire
IT, and after waiting a week for the men
to return to work, the employers began to
secure non-union men in their places In
order to continue their operations. The
Central Labor Union thereupon began
system. OF picketing the work. 1t
brought pressure to bear upon unions hav-
to them
the strike. Boycotts have been threatened
and every possible method has been used
TO compel the discharge Of the non-unlon
men. The law defines all this as con-
spiracy, and says that every person-owner,
contractor or workman-Who takes part In
1t, is liable. The word conspiracy there
fore, was simply applied to the wrong
The decision Of the anthracite coal strike
commission, the greatest tribunal that ever
passed upon industrial questions in the his
tory of the world was referred to and
quoted and II was alleged this decision ap-
piled TO the attempt of the unions to COM
pei the discharge of non-union men and to
enforce closed shop.
Not a General Declaration.
THE employers thus far have not de-
clared generally for an open shop. What
the attitude of the unions will compel them
TO do is matter for the future. In no case
have any non union men been employed in
trade has first called a strike, and 1t may
be stated that whenever the members of
any union refuse to work on any of the
Jobs Of this association. they will be re-
placed with non-union men-not with strike
breakers but with good, competent me-
chanics. who will be given assurances of
permanent employment.
at is stated that the Central Labor
Union will fight to the last ditch for
closed shop A closed shop Is shop closed
10 all workmen not members OF the union
or. in other words. It is an absolute mo-
nopoly by the union OF the labor market.
IF the unions were responsible organi-
cations, Incorporated and financially able
to guarantee their agreements and to re-
spond in damages for their breach there
might be some Justification in making ex-
elusive contracts with them In return for
reciprocal guarantees which could be en-
forced. At II is, they voluntary, unin-
corporated associations without financial
responsibility and composed of a shifting
membership. and able when attacked to
change their form of organization or to dis
band and organize again at will"
II is declared that the labor unions of
Washington are seeking to obtain an abso-
lutte monopoly, without check of any kind
and the matter of wages is referred to as
follows:
"One of the statements was 20 the effect
that the poorhoUse was imminent II the
closed shop was not secured. The wages
of mechanics in the building trades aver
age from 81 TO So day, not counting
overtime. This Is more than almost any
other class of labor receives. The en-
ployers have made no effort to reduce
wages nor do they intend such move
They do intend, however, that for these
wages 81 fair and conscientious days work
shall be rendered.
I'VE want II understood that it is the
general public that is most interested in
this matter. for ii is the general public
that finally pays all the bills Abnormal
wages cost because of decreased efficiency
restrictions. graft and other things. means
who builds. but abnormal prices for every
article consumed by the general public for
building cost enters into and becomes a
part of the cost OF all products. since they
have to he manufactured, stored and sold
in buildings.
The Unions Blamed.
I'm conclusion, we will say that the pres.
ent trouble started by the unions and
is being continued by them in a high
handed and unlawful manner The time
has come when our own sef-respect ant
the best good of the building industry de