The Washington times., 1907-05-30


Association, at a joint conference Of the
committees of fifteen from each Of the
two Organizations. held last night. de-
Cided in favor OF the Master Plumbers
Association. defeating the contention OF
the Journeymen Plumbers Association
for n closed shop.
In making the decision Captain Oy-
ster reviewed the trouble in all its
phases and pointed out that there was
nothing TO show In any agreement eX-
listing between the employers anG the
employees that there should be union
men employed to the exclusion of non
union men. He showed that the con-
tract provided that all matters in dis
pute must be referred to a committee
for arbitration before any steps were
taken FOR strikes or lockouts, and I'm this
particular both sides bad violated that
agreement
Oyster Breaks Deadlock.
Captain Oyster was invited to enter
the dispute after repeated efforts had
been made to settle the question. the in
variable result being deadlock, each
side casting its solid vote OF fifteen for
the interest it represented
Captain Oysters decision was as fol
lows:
To the Joint Arbitration Board:
Gentlemen: When called 10 preside
over the deliberations of this joint arbi-
tratiOn committee. and to act as final
umpire upon all questions not settled by
the vote of the committee, 1 then ex-
pressed 10 you nv deep sense Of the
high compliment involved in such eN-
precision OF your confidence and my nc
CeptanCe OF your call both from desire
10 serve you and the interests you
mutually represent as well. primarily
from sense Of plan public duty which
every man should feel bound to render
IN such an important situation.
The result Of your committee de-
liberItOns has been to submit &c me
for present decision the single question.
whether certain members Of the Build
ing Trade Mechanics Council and the
Employers Association Of the Building
Trades Of the District Of Columbia
should or should not continue 10 work
as now employed. pending the determi-
nation Of any question which may be
in dispute between these organizations.
Both Violated Obligation.
l. On consideration of the contract
OF April IA. 1905. between the Master
Plumbers Association and Local No. 3,
JOurneymen Plumbers and Gasftters,
ind that the primary and fundamental
obligation of that contract has been vio-
The opening paragraph OF that agree
ment expressly provided that it should
continue without change, unless one Of
the other parties served written notice
or six months on the other parties OF
desire 20 change, modify, or reCede from
the agreement, and that mo strike" or
lockout shall be made, Instituted or de-
ciared, for any object or purpose what
sOever, except matters beyond control
OF both associations, during the term
of this contract, excepting for violation
OF the contract, and not then until
each question for violation has been re-
ferred to a joint committee as herein
after provided for"
Nevertheless, the fact is that both
parties have violated this express pro
vision, because differences have arisen
and action has been taken by each party
on its own initiative without giving the
notice specifically provided therein. as
the bases for desired change or mOdi-
ncation and losing sight OF the whole
spirit Of the provision. i'm not referring
to joint committee matters OF incipi-
ent difference which. as l read this
agreement, was clearly Intended
z. l also find that the question sub
mitted to me IS open broadly. and indie
pendent Of any contract stipulations eX-
pressed IN the agreement OF the date
above mentioned Hence I must look
lt the question involved upon broad
lines. affecting as of course. I'm the first
instance. the Just interests Of the Build
ing Trade Mechanic Council EMPLOYEES
Association Of the Building Trades of
the District Of Columbia. not over
looking, however, the important element
of public duty which rests alike upon
me as an empire. and upon all the par
ties interested as well.
Continuance of Labor.
3. Continuance of labor by the work.
men makes. in my judgment. for their
highest interests in every view. Con-
tinuance Of employment means continu-
ance Of wage-earnng, which enables
those wOrkmen to discharge their pri-
mary obligation Of support TO their
families. Whether the rate Of wage be
regarded as sufficient or insufficient. or
the hours of labor be the matter i'm dis
pute, is immaterial, IN my view. in
reaching the conclusion I have ex-
pressed. Reasonable men. settling their
disputes on these questions. or other
matters involving the relations of en-
plOver and emplOye, can, with honest
intent, settle these other questions with
reasonable dispatch, while in the mean
time the workman is earning his daily
wage and rendering his first duty to
society In the full support OF his own
family Whatever remains Of this dis
pute can as readily and as quickly be
settled by the sane exercise OF fair
judgment and the mutual concession Of
some Of the claims advanced by either
experience among men. the essential
condition for just conclusion in every
form of arbitration which does not in
Volve questions OF purely moral or alb
stract right.
In other words, disputes between en-
plOyer and emplOye always involve prac-
teal questions, they affect practical
matters only. and their solution by
peaCeable arbitration must undoubtedly
involve the necessity Of mutual con-
cesSiOn. Submission OF such disputes to
tGir-minded and disinterested men rare
" results in the recognition by the
arbitrators Of the full claims Of either
side. But when men thus submit their
honest differences to such form of adj
Justment, the concessions which either
side yield to the judgment of the arbi-
traitors involve no loss of honor. and the
acceptance of the award is a strong
tribute 70 the parties affected and earns
only increased respect from the COM
munity at large toward those who ac-
cept and abide by the result.
Public Is Interested.
I. But. in reaching this conclusion. I /
cannot overlook the large interest OF |
the public in every dispute of this ma
ture. Every member of society. I'm |
whatever work he may be engaged. is /
entitled to the protection Of its consti- |
tutcd authority At the same time. he /
owes the duty Of labor not only for his |