The Washington herald., 1907-08-12
THREATEN BLUE LAW
Labor May Ask for Injunc.
tiOnAgainst Sunday Work.
CHARGE DISSERTATION OF DAY
,SDutsiders Not Permitted 10 Enter
BuiIdtags on which NOnuniOn Men
Are EmpIoyed-BOth sides Expect
Climax in Situation TO-day-Meet-
ings Held During Sunday.

Injunction proceedings are 10 be in
Etituted against the Employers Associa-
ton and its individual members to-day.
A statement 10 this effect was made by
several of the international officers and
prominent local leaders Of the building
trades yesterday.
petition is to be filed asking for
restraining order 10 prevent the prosecu-
ton OF building construction in the Dis
trict Of Columbia on Sunday. Pending
the disposition Of this petition. It was
said. a warrant will be procured. II pos
Eible Tor the arrest OF all those builders
and mechanics who were at work yes
4erday.
It was learned yesterday afternoon by
the business agents and international Of
hceTs conducting the present strike that
work was going on at the Academy Of
Music and several other buildings which
are being reconstructed by members OF
the Employers Association. After a con-
ference, 1t was decided. it is said, to in
woke the ancient blue laws that were
dug up about two weeks ago.
At the Academy building admission TO
be ascertained what class Of mechanics
was working, other than the plasterers
Many laborers and hodcariers were en-
ployed carrying mortar prepared as plas-
ter into the building. 1t was stated by
the watchman that no one was admitted
within the building without a permit.
To Fight with Injunction.
Asked last night regarding their pro-
posed move, the labor leaders stated that
they intended fighting the employers with
their chief weapon used against the
unions. the injunction In all previous
instances they stated the unions had
been the subject Of such q court order.
but that they were prepared to turn the
tables.
Provisions viii be instituted under the
provisions Of the ancient law. unearthed
by Corporation Counsel Pugh. two weeks
ago. under which Corporation Counsel E.
II. Thomas issued an information for the
arrest of John H. Houser. a contractor.
When the information was asked, Mr.
Pugh, after delving into the legal lore
pertaining 10 such offenses. discovered
the following section of a statute of
1723:
No person whatsoever shall work or
do any bodily labor on the Lords Day,
commonly called Sunday, and no person
having children, servants, OF slaves shall
command, or willingly or unwillingly suf-
fer any Of them TO do any manner OF
work or labor on the Lords Day (wOrks
Of necessity or charity always excepted;
h.1
servants, or slaves 10 prOfane the Lords
Day by gaming. fishing, fowling, hunting.
or unlawful pastimes, or recreations; and
that every person transgressing this act.
and being thereof convicted by the oath
OF one sufficient witness, or confession Of
the party before the police court Ga single
magistrate) shall forfeit 200 pounds Of to-
bacco. TO be levied and applied as afore-
said
In speaking of this statute, Mr.. Pugh
said at the time: The situation thus
presented seems TO call for legislation, or
test in the courts"
Unions Take Matter Seriously.
It is under this clause that the labor
leaders will seek 10 prevent members Of
the Employers Association prosecuting
their work on Sunday II is said that the
employers are pushing the work TO the
utmost with the force Of nonunion men
secured, and il is the object OF the un-
ions 70 prevent this. They say that if
the statute will bring Mr.. Houser into
court It will undoubtedly apply 10 other
contractors and builders. The unearth-
ing of this statute the penalty pre-
scribed. and the conditions that would
follow its practical enforcement. have
been the subject OF much jest, but the 10
cal labor leaders take the matter Sc
TiousIy. and hope 10 obtain the expected
results
Both sides 70 the present labor contro-
Nersy spent a busy day yesterday pre-
pairing for the week ahead According
10 the predictions Of both sides. the siti-
alton may reach a climax to-day or to-
morrow, the strike committee being bent
on completing a tie-up, and the En-
ployers Association on securing the
services Of enough nonunion men to
prosecute their work without interrup-
tion.
There were a number Of meetings YES
terday Of the executive boards OF the
unions, and the situation was gone over
10 date. There viii be no meeting of
the general committee this morning. In
stead, subcommittee will scOur the town
securing data for the use of the general
committee when II meets Tuesday morn
Ing. and TO make effective the strike on
buildings that have heretofore not been
reached.
Both sides promise interesting develop
ments during the week.