Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-09

Young Mems Christian Association
building office building at 3l3 eth
street. Adas Israel Synagogue.
The sound Of industry was hushed today
on fourteen Of the largest structures In
course OF erection In the District.
The !1ng threatened tie-up of the building
industry of Washington reached a crisis
late yesterday afternoon. and carpenters
and briCklayers were called off from num-
Der of structures. marking the inauguration
of the great strike. told exclusively by
The Star
Mechanics employed on other buildings
being erected by members of the Employ
ers' Association dropped their hammers.
trowes and saws today and Joined the
ranks of the strikers
Labor leaders predicted that by Monday
morning the tie-up would be complete and
their fight against the open shop would be
In full swing.
The officers of the international labor
unions still In this city have promised
that there shall be lack Of funds to
carry on the contest
The members of the Employers Associa-
ton are equally determined. and maintain
that the time for trucss and parleys Is past
and the fight will be to a finish.
Strike Committee in Session.
The executive strike committee OF the me-
chanics held a long session this forenoon at
Typographical Temple. where they have
opened headquarters After Its adjourn
ment the newspaper men were informed
that there was nothing to be given out for
the public. 1t was noticed. however. that
as soon as rain had Stacked UP the bust
ness agents of the several building trades
''got busy" and visited several structures
that are being erected by members OF the
association OF employers.
Shortly before . o'clock this afternoon
word was received that the first strike of
today had been called at the Reform School
for Boys out on the Bladensburg road,
where fourteen bricklayers, two bricklayers'
apprentices and six carpenters had been
pulled on the job. The contractors for
Contractors Affected.
The contractors and the buildings affected
by the walkout of yesterday afternoon and
today were compiled as follows at the head
quarters OF the Employers Association this
afternoon:
w E. Speir & Co.. buildings at LIST and B
streets and 1925 G street. Is carpenters Or
dered out: c. J. Cassidy & Co. Elks' home
II carpenters and bricklayers ordered out:
Gonzaga College. Q carpenters and l brick
layer; st. Cyprtan's, carpenters; st. Ann's
Academy. 2 carpenters and l bricklayer:
Sacred Heart structure. ) carpenters.
EICndrQSOn " burgess, metropolitan SluU
@ carpenters and 2 bricklayers; American
Bank building, 1 carpenter and brtcklay-
ers: Reform School, IA brtcklayers, ap-
prentces and 8 carpenters.
s. J. Prescott. Academy of Music. So car
penters and bricklayers; Y. NJ c. A. build
Ing. carpenters and bricklayers; office
building at 313 It'll street. 2 carpenters.
1t is said other buildings will be pulled
later this afternoon. A report that a strike
had been ordered on the United States
museum building. on 3 street near ths Gen.
ter Market. was denied later today by
representatives of Mr.. Bernard r. Green,
the contractor for the work.
Resolutions Adopted
The board Of governors of the Employers
Association have adopted the following res
olutions:
Information has come to us that the
Drlcklayers and carpenters have been called
on work. and the employers are aware that
large number OF workmen desire To con-
tinue work under the present conditions
The members of the Employers Association
Will protect such employees as continue to
work or return by Monday August 10
Their places Will not be filled until then ex-
cept IN such cases where it has been neces-
sary because of the condition OF said work
to Immediately Nil vacancies
The Employers Association maintain that
they are not lighting union men. but that
they Will not tolerate a closed shop. They
likewise assert that they are In the fight to
stay and will impoverish themselves rather
than submit to the conditions which the
unions are said to wish to impose upon
them
The Brennan Construction Company this
morning denied the statement printed that
there is a strike at the Soldiers Home.
Rights Of Capital and Labor.
The Employers Association officials this
morning gave out a letter prepared by Will
liam F. Downey OF 1922 L street north
west in which Mr.. Downey contends for
the right of capital to. conduct the open
shop. against the demand OF union labor to
esta bl!sh the closed. or exclusively union
shop. which Is indorsed by the Employers
Association as their views. Mr.. DoWney
says. In part:
Il have always contended that trusts mo
matter what their nature), mouopolies, in
dustrial combinations for the control of
certain outputs. Wall street Juggling with
finance etc. should be condemned and leg
islated against. Honest and honorable COM
petition Is the lever that keeps the market
In u healthy condition, and l feel that the
multiplication OF unions. such as farmers
mlllers. manufacturers, etc. for the pur-
pose Of controlling output and prices. Is
not alone demoralizlng the people OF our
day. but Is stagnating business and para
lying Industrial and social prosperity.
May Go to Extremes.
Demands for increased wages and less
hours Of labor can be brought 10 extremes,
and the supposed beneficiary and hts family
become more injured than served. They
may gain one point AT the sacrifice of two.
The Increased price OF groceries provisions
OF all kinds. clothing and other necessaries
OF life a result OF labor agitation be-
Comes il great burden even on the union
man family, and a greater still on those
compelled to work on salary without any
corresponding Increase to meet the advance
In the cost of living. l can cite my own
Case an example.
II have noticed that over 81 per cent of
the crime ard poverty / have come in con-
tact with has emanated from Intoxicating
Equor, and l furthermore know that over
SIX hundred saloons and clubs where liquor
IL sold are almost wholly sustained and
kept IN operation through the patronage of
warkingmen. who spend the major portion
OF their earnings therein. II labor leaders
would only declare war on this system and
encourage and inculcate the virtues of tenn
perance. frugality and thrift among their
nenbers they would he worthy Of the high
esi Comnendatton.