Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-17
MASTERS AND JOURNEYMEN
Disputed Points to Be Submitted for
Interpretation.
STRIKE HOPED TO BE AvERTED
Controversy Over Recent Decision Of
Plumbers Arbitration Board
Adjustment is Assured.

The master plumbers and the journeymen
of that trade must abide absolutely and
strictly by the terms of the recent award
| made by the board OF arbitration the MEM
| bers Of which were selected by the two
factions of the trade controversy.
This emphatic decision was the outcome
of long conference last night between
committees representing the two master
builders associations and the allied build
ing trades. The meeting was held in the
Master Builders Hail. 18th and G streets,
and continued until nearly midnight.
The whole matter in controversy between
the employing plumbers and the members
of the Plumbers Union were gone over I'm
detail, and at the close of the conference
1t was stated on authority that IL there had
been any danger of a strike of the build
ing trades, 1t had been averted, and there
is now no trouble in sight.
In deciding that both sides should abide
by the award of the arbitrators, proviso
was added. 1t that should either
of the parties to the present contention de-
clare that any part of the decision of the
arbitration board is not clear to them
that Is. IL they do not understand the mean
ing Of the award-they must reduce the
matter not understood to writing and sub
NIT 1t to the joint committee of the mas
ter builders and members Of the allied
building trades.
Contingency Provision.
Then, IL in the judgment of the joint
committee, a definition of the disputed mat
ter cannot be reached in any other man
ner the joint committee OF master builders
and mechanics will request the original
arbitrators to meet and give their defini-
ton. this to be final. This was practical
ly embodied in resolutions introduced by
Chairman Ryan and adopted by the con-
ference.
According to the statement OF a member
of the joint committee there was distrust
of each other among the master plumbers
and the journeymen. and an attempt Will
be made to allay this feeling in the inter
EST of harmony and for the good OF all par
ties concerned. The continued agitation OF
the supposition of big strike of the build
ing trades was deplOred as detrimental to
the community. and the assurance was
given that a strike will not take place be-
cause of any miscOnstructiOn of the recent
award.
Prior to the meeting last evening II was
said In certain quarters that the omnipres-
ent 'open shop question would be one of
the leading matters considered by the con-
ferees But 1t is said only once was the
matter referred to- and then there was
quick quietus given to II by the prompt
statement that the conference was not
called for the purpose Of considering either
the closed the open shop. but to con-
slider the controversy as to the definition or
articles and 9, and other portions of the
recent award.
WILL MOI 1OleTaLe open Suop.
1t was asserted by the representatives
of the building trades union. however, that
the open shop would not be tolerated by
them in the District, but especially in the
plumbing trade.
1t was stated that another meeting Of
the joint committee will be called IL ii is
decided to be necessary. but not other
wise; that the language Of the award shall
be defined for either the master or jour
neymen plumbers and the disputed matter
be put in writing.
In order to facilitate the arrival at a con-
clusiOn with the least friction and confu-
sion, 1t was decided also that the plumbers
union shall submit its contentious In writ
ing to the committee of the allied building
trades while those Of the master plumbers
shall be submitted also in writing to the
master builders.
Following the final definition, whatever
it may be. of the disputed points. 1t was
the decision of the joint committee that
the terms of the award be fully com
piled with by all parties concerned
The seventeen building trades were
represented at the conference. The jour-
neymen plumbers were represented by
their business agent. Mr.. Thos. J. Foley
None of the master plumbers was present
it is said.
The meeting was held behind closed
doors,