The Washington herald., 1907-06-07
PRESIDENT MAY ACT
Roosevelt Asks for Capt. OyS-
ter's Labor Report.
PLAN OF ACTION NOT KNOWN
Lockout Ordered by the Employers
Association Goes Into Eject To-
dhy-BOth Builders and Trades
Unions Expect Long Struggle.
Labor Leaders Say Few Affected.

Il is understood that President ROose-
Welt will take a hand in the labor dis
putes in the District, at least to the ex-
tent Of information himself on the points
at issue.
From a reliable source It was learned
last night that the President had request
ed Capt James f. Oyster TO submit TO
him for his perusal full report OF his
work as referee in the case between the
labor unions and the employers In the
building trades.
What use the President VIII make OF
the information is as yet only matter
Of conjecture, but the fact Of his calling
for this report is considered important
by both parties TO the controversy.
The board of governors Of the Employ
ers' Association Of the building trades OF
the District yesterday threw down the
sage Of battle to the labor unions in a
formal circular addressed TO the members
Of the association. The resolution was
passed AZ a meeting Of the board Of gov
ernors held May Is. and it will 90 into
effect this morning. The members Of the
association are requested by the governors
to concur with the terms Of the resolu-
ti0n. and it is stated that generally build
ers and subcontractors paid off the men
engaged in the trades affected last night
and will suspend work in those branches
of building for an indefinite period.
Effect of Lockout.
The action Of the employers, if con-
CURED i'm by the association generally,
will mean the locking out to-day Of work
men engaged upon buildings other than
the public structures wherever local con-
tractors are in charge. IN short. Il will
affect the progress Of all private buildings
in the city in course Of construction.
II was the opinion last night Of employ
ers and representatives, Of the labor unions
alike that the action Of the employers
would precipitate a general cessation Of
building throughout the District for an
indefinite period While the circular Of
the employers does not affect bricklayers,
stOupmaeons carpenters. and others. still
IL strikes at essential parts OF every build
ing and no structures can be finished as
long as the lockout continues Il was
stated that If generally concurred in by
the employers. the action taken will lead
20 sympathetic strikes by other labor or
gsnlz3ti0ns and efecIually tie Zip within
fl month all the building operations in the
city
Both sides are looking 90 this as the
final outcome Of the present situation and
are uCTvlng themselves for the fight.
BeIittIe the Result.
According 90 the statement Of all the
building trades men seen last night only
three members Of tine heating engi-
necrs are affected. These men, il is
stated. will 60 TO work this morning on
other Jobs not controlled by the Master
Builders Association. The electricians
also met last night and it was stated
by them that the lockout had not been
made effective so far as they were con
cerned.
Five or six Of their men were in
volved in the strike on the Metropolitan
Club being erected by Richardson &
Burgess. but. despite this fact their men
working on the car barns on Fourteenth
street extended. which are being erected
by the same firm. have not been locked
out
Thc tile settlers also met last night. bat
i'm reply 70 questions it was stated that
none Of their men had been locked out
Practically the same statement was mad
bv an the other trades Questions as %
the next meeting of the Building Trades
Council brought the assurance that there
would De none until the regular meeting
Tuesday.