Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-14
The Local Labor Situation.

Building trades conditions in this District
are in a deplorable snarl. Whereas few
weeks ago 1t seemed as though the end of
troubles had been reached when the plumb
ing trade contest was submitted to arbitra-
tion now the controversy over the award
In that case has developed afresh and has
threatened to put a stop to all private ana
possibly all public building in this CITY,
Such a resuAswould mean a tremendous
loss to the local workingmen and would
seriously affect the prosperity of the entire
community.
1t is difficult to trace the ms and outs of
the controversy in it's often-changing de-
tails. The contest is squarely between the
master builders the one hand and the
building trades council on the other. 1t
has developed beyond the limits of the old
plumbers difficulty. On the employers
side it is about to extend to include the
material men. and conference is to be
held tonight at which all who are arrayed
against the unions will discuss a plan of
campaign.
There are two broad possibilities either
of which is distressing in the extreme.
One is a strike of all building trades and
the other is suspension by the master
builders and their allies of all construction
work. 1t matters but little in the end to
the District which side takes the initiative.
The effect is disastrous in either case. 1t
means that there will be a stoppage of
wages affecting several thousand families
and great distress cannot be averted.
Strike funds in such case would soon be
exhausted.
Now is the time for the cool judgment
and the wise forethought of all concerned
to work out a solution Of this difficulty in
terms of continuous peace. No patched
up truce will serve. The charges Of bad
faith are too numerous and too sharp to be
Offset by a temporary provision. What Is
needed is square agreement by those who
are vitality interested in a continuance Of
work in this District to submit the issues
to a final adjustment which will stand as
the local law, in lieu of statutory provi-
sions.
1t Is surely possible for the men who are
hiring labor and the men who are selling
labor to get together on a common ground
of good faith and fair dealing. If there Is
on both sides an honest desire to continue
building operations this result should be
within easy attainment. assuming that
each side Is reasonable Here Is an oppor-
tunity for the citizens of the District who
have no direct interest in this controversy,
but who have the most vital interest in the
general welfare of the capital, to exert their
influence to bring about a settlement which
will serve not merely for the season, but
for a considerable period.
There are now In progress in Washington,
It Is estimated, private building operations
aggregating an ultimate cost of approx
mately 100000. OF this sum heavy per-
centage will. If no interruption occurs, go
into the pockets Of the workingmen of
various trades Furthermore, these build
ings are needed by the city in it's growth.
There is constant demand for individual
homes and for apartments and for Office
room. If the building operations are sus-
pended for a period of months Washington
will suffer. in higher rentals as the demand
exceeds the supply. or in lost population as
newcomers are driven away by lack of &C.
commodations Every business man is
bound to feel the effect of such a check to
the growth of the city, in addition to the
losses suffered from a stoppage of the
money circulation incidental to an active
building season.
Here is chance for the activity of those
who regard Washington as an ideal field
Cor the evolution of a model labor-adjust-
ment scheme. If matters are allowed to
drift along as they have been going for
several seasons the District is certain to
suffer severely.