Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-25
DISPUTE MAY END
IN LOCAL STRIKE
Controversy Between Master
Plumbers and Journeymen.
BOTH ORGANIZATIONS FIRM
Trouble Over Interpretation of Recent
Award by Arbitrators.
BUILDING TRADES DISSATISFIED
Refuse to Resubmit Award to Board
Which Passed Upon Previous
Differences.

The secretary of the committee Of the
allied building trades appointed to con-
slider the controversy between the master
plumbers and journeymen today received
from the two associations of master build
ers their ultimatum concerning the recent
award Of the arbitration board. It is in
effect that the disputed sections of the
award shall be submitted to the arbitrators
for Interpretation, as was stated In The
Sunday Star. This conclusion was reached
at meeting Of the master builders held
Saturday night.
The decision resulted in much discussion
today in building circles, and some of the
workingmen declared that unless the mas
ter builders recede from the position they
have taken general strike of the building
trades will be called.
On the other hand, the master builders
with whom a Star reporter talked ex-
pressed the belief that an amicable settle
ment of the controversy will be reached and
a strike averted 1t was stated that two
and perhaps three of the important building
trades will decline to be drawn into a
strike.
The master builders have exerted all
the means in their power to bring harmony
out of the prevailing discord," said a
prominent builder today. I'VE have en-
deavored to be absolutely fair with all
sides of the controversy, and In deciding
that the 'arbitrators should interpret their
own decision we believe We have done the
fair and logical thing. Now If the building
trades should arbitrarily decide to go on
strike after our impartial conduct in the
case. we will resist them with all the moral
strength we possess. Should the strike be
called we will see to 1t that it Is made as
tight as we can possibly make it, and as
all the master builders have strike clauses
in their contracts we can stand the pres
sure as long as the next one.''
Workingmen Also Insistent.
Expressions equally forcible were heard
among the workingmen. The charge was
made that the arbitration board had made
an award partial to the master plumbers
in the first instance, and for that reason
the allied building trades will not consent
to have the award returned to the board
for Its Interpretation. One of the mechanics
declared at a recent conference that the ar
bitrators had handed US a lemon in the
hrst instance, and il we go back to them
they will hand us a decayed lemon"
The next meeting of the Allied Building
Trades Council will be held tomorrow
evening when the decision of the master
builders will be presented to that body tor
action. 1t is predicted that a climax will
be reached and the question of strike or no
strike Will be acted upon.
1t was said today that the plan for the
Interpretation of the clauses in contro-
versy which is favored by the allied build
| ing trades Is that the matter shall be
passed upon and interpreted by a joint
committee OF members of the master
builders association and the allied building
| trades. The master builders hold that such
action would be unfair to the gentlemen
| who composed the arbitration board, and