The Washington times., 1907-08-05
Those Who Will Sign
Union Contract to
Be Exempt.
Walk-0ut Will Be De-
Clared On All Who
Refuse.

The strike OF union men employed IN
( building operations IN the District OF
! Columbia did not begin al 70 O'Clock
TINS morning. as scheduled. because
every member OF the Employers Asso-
ciauOn-master builders and contrac-
tors-whO Is erecting buildings in the
District VIII first be asked b. the
building trades as individuals 10 con
slider a c5I4tract 10 cover every trade
that goes into the construction OF q
building that will provide for the en-
plOyment OF union labor 70 the exclu-
sion Of nOnunion men. The contract
win be submitted to the members o. the
Employers Association as individuals.
regardless Of their connection with any
organization.
This action was determined upon at
the joint conference this morning at
Typographical Temple between the bust
ness agents Of the local building trades
and the international and national off,
cers OF those trades who have been IN
session here since last Thursday. The
decision followed the discussion for two
hours OF the recommendation made Sat
urday BY the convention that a strike
be called. since the Employers Associa-
tee OF ths convention in conference
Officers to Draft Contract.
The matter Of drafting a unien con-
tract was turned over 20 the lF.torna-
tiOnal and national officers Of the
building trades present-some few OF
them had left the city yesterday. but
viii be back tomorrow.
This decision was reached as 2 result
Of representations made by local busi-
ness agents OF the building trades that
there were many OF the members OF
the Employers Association, who, as in
dlvlduals, were dissatisfied with the ac-
ton OF that body in prolonging the
present labor troubles and who say they
do not want 70, nor can they afford 10,
enter into a strike, and who are favor
ably disposed 70 treat as individuals
with the union trades, sign contracts,
and keep their work going.
Many Do Not Want Strike.
Such action would mean their expul-
sion from the Employers Association,
but 1t is said that many OF them are
ready TO pull out from that body rather
than enter upon a prolonged strike
which would mean heavy loss 70 them.
The local business agents Will take
this contract, which Is now under con
siceration, and secure as many signers
TO IL as possible, and when their canvass
IS made 70 report Those who sign IL
VIII not he included in the strike order,
but ali who refuse 70 sign will come
under q strike order that win follow.
Huddel at Conferences.
4 feature os the Joint conference this
morning was the arrival Of Arthur II.
NJ Huddell. second vice president OF
the international Union OF Steam Engi-
neers. HIS organization had been in
vited TO participate in the convention,
but for some reason no representative
was sent. and It looked as II this branch
OF the building trades would not support
the other branches IN their local trouble
Mr.. Hudden by his presence and by per-
sonal assurances told MS felIOW-uniOn-
ists that his organization was with
taem.
After adjournment or the morning ses-
sion Vice President Preece, OF the In
ternatiOnal Bricklayers and Stone-
maSonS' Union, who was a member OF
the press committee Of the convention
last week said 10 Times representa-
tive when informed that there was a
healthy rumor current all day Sunday
and would not down today that the
bricklayers would rot quit work. as no
strike order would be issued calling
them out. said such talk was foIlv
1 have issued 8 call for a special
meeting or the local Bricklayere'
= 1AL-oll AOI N euleslay night, said Vice
Pres: Preece. and will be present. as viii
PRESIDENT Waiter Bowen, when the local
VIII be officially notified OF the action
OF the international and national officers
In convention here. II Is up 10 the local
union 70 act, as that procedure is a part
OF our form OF government. We never
order out local body unless that local
votes 10 go out That the Washington
bricklayers viii go on strike ~ such an
order is put in force goes without the
saying. They are lnval They have
shown IL In the past. and, come what
may, they viii stand by the other unions
Of the building trades"
Object of Conference.
Asked for an expression OF opinion
as TO the object Of today's Joint con-
ference, he said: I'VE are in Joint con-
ference with the business agents OF the
several unions OF the local building
trades to determine Jus, what is best
10 be done to carry out the orders OF
the convention IN session here last
week. We want 10 be Ike David Crock
cit, BE sure we are right and then 90
ahead. We believe. like the philosopher.
that IN a multitude Of counsel there is
much WISDOM and before we start dras-
tic measures we want to know Just
where we start and where we will end -
President Bowen viii be here tonight.
and with Vice President Preece will per-
sonally direct the action OF the brick
layers at their special meeting Wednes-
day night