Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-30
DISCUSSION OF
LABOR TROUBLES
Result of Conference Between
Employer and EmpIoye.
EFFORT TO REACH DECISION
Chairman Oyster Submits Reasons for
His Deciding Vote.
UPHOLDS SUBSTITUTE REPORT
Pending Final Decision Mechanics
Who Had Been Called Off Were
to Resume Work.
EFFORT TO REACH DECISION
UPHOLDS SUBSTITUTE REPORT

May 1901 in Washington, D. c.. between
the executive committee of the Employers
Association and the executive committee of
the Building Trades Mechanics Council,
for the purpose of discussing the trouble
that exists between employer and en-
ploye resolution was adopted for the
purpose of settling the present dispute be-
tween organized labor and the employers in
The building industry.
The resolution set forth:
BE it resolved That there be. and is,
hereby created joint arbitration commit
tee. 10 consist of one representative from
each of the trades represented in the Build
ing Trades Mechanics Council and an equal
number of members from the Employers
Association of the Building Trades of the
District of Columbia. and chairman who
shall not be, or never has been, an attorney
at-law. who shall decide all questions not
carried by vote of the committee.
That each party to this agreement will
enforce. to the best of his ability, all find
ings of this committee. That any matter
may be brought before this committee by
either side, and parties not voting shall be
considered as voting for questions at issue.
a committee was appointed consisting of
three from the Employers Association and
three from the Building Trades, to select
chairman as per resolution
Selection of Chairman.
There being no further business the COM
mittee adjourned to meet Saturday, May
-. 1897, at 7:3O pm. The latter meeting
was called to order by Mr.. C. H. Rudolph
and the committee appointed to select
chairman reported that it had chosen Capt
James +. Oyster, which was unanimously
agreed to by the committee consisting OF
Mr.. John Mitchell, jr.. Mr. c. H. Rudolph
Mr.. a. J. Beall, jr., Mr.. Joseph Richardson,
Mr.. W. I. Galliher, Mr.. 7. w. Smith. Mr..
u. c. Graham, Mr.. John Nolan, Mr.. Samuel
Ross. Mr.. J. A. Kelliher, Mr.. S. NJ. Frazier
Mr.. John Shedd. MI Samuel ]. Prescott
Mr.. John Galloway, Mr. W. S. Hutchinson
representing the Employers Associat ton
and Mr.. S. ]. Bryan, Mr.. j. j. McCracken,
Mr.. G. NJ. Huddleston, Mr.. F. w. Waters,
MI h c. Oliver, Mr.. T. f. Foley, Mr.. W.
+. Gilmore. Mr. T F. Ryan, Mr.. j. r. Crovo
Mr.. j. 7 Heating, Mr.. William Lewis. Mr.
Harvey I. Rogers. Mr.. Joseph NJ. Brown
MIR. James McIver. Mr.. c.. H Toban rep
resenting the Building Trades Mechanics
Council.
The conference elected w. F. Gilmore sec
Rotary and Immediately went into session,
which lasted until 2 o'clock Sunday morn
Ing without reaching agreement. On ac-
count of the late hour the conference ad-
1ourned to meet again Wednesday. May 80
1907. at s pm. when the following resolu-
ton was offered by the Building Trades Me-
Chanics' Councils:
BE 1t resolved as unanimous vote of
the Building Trades Mechanics Council that
all trades withdrawn from TIE METROPOLITAN
Club and Middaugh & Shannon's jobs stand
ready TO return to work Immediately on
condition that the nOn-union plumbers en-
pIoyed thereon be Withdrawn and kept off
said Jobs until a settlement is arrived at
through the joint board OF arbitrators"
Substitute Offered.
substitute was offered for the above by
the Employers Association, as follows:
Resolved, That pending final decision Of
this board Of arbitrator the mechanics
called off OF the Metropolitan Club build
Ing and the buildings of Middaugh & Shan
non on Park road be returned to work Fri
day morning. May 81, 1901"
The building trades representatives op-
posed the substitute on the grounds that
they had come there instructed and if the
substitute was carried they would have to
take the matter back to their organizati ton
for final action, but would use their best
CndedTGrs toward a settlement.
The vote on the substitute resulted in a
tie, the employers voting sOlidly in favor of
1t and the building trades voting solidy
against il.
Tie chairman. Mr.. Oyster, rendered his
decision giving his reasons in detail why
he supported the substitute, which are as
follows.
Capt. Oysters Report
To the Joint Arbitration Board:
Gentlemen-When called to preside over
the deliberations of this joint arbitration
committee and TO act final umpire upon
all questions not settled by the vote of the
committee | then expressed to you my
deep sense of the high compliment involved
IL such expression of your confidence, and
my acceptance of your CALL both from de-
sire TO serve you and the interests you
mutually represent, well as primarily
from sense of plain public duty which
every man should feel bound to render in
such an important situation.
The result OF your committees delbera-
tons has been to submit TO me for present
decision the single question whether certain
members OF the Building Trades Mechanics
Council and the Employers Association of
the Building Trades of the District of Co.
lumbia should should not continue at
work as now employed, pending the deter
minatiOn of any other questions which may
be at issue between these organizations.
ION consideration of the contract of
April IA, 1903. between the Master Plumbers
Association and Local No D. Journeymen
Plumbers and Gas Filters. | find that the
primary and fundamental obligation of that
contract has been violated by each of the
parties thereto. The opening paragraph of
that agreement expressly provided that it
should continue without change. unless one
OF the other parties served written notice
OF slX months on the other parties of desire
10 change, modify. or recede from the
agreement and that no strike or lock-
out shall he made, instituted or declared
for any object or purpose whatsoever, ex-
cept matters beyond control of both asso-
Citations. during the term OF this contract
excepting for violation of this contract. and
not then until such question for violation
has been referred to joint committee as
hereinafter provided for.
Violation by Both Parties.
Nevertheless, the fact is that both par
ties have violated this express provision.
because differences have arisen and action
has been taken by each party on its own
initiative, without giving the notice specific
ally provided therein. as the bases for de-
sired change or modification and losing
sight of the whole spirit of the provision
In not referring to joint committee mat
tiers Of iHciplent difference which. as read
this agree ment. was clearly intended.
= | also lind that the question submitted
10 me is open broadly, and independent OF
any contract stipulations expressed In the
agreement of the date above mentioned
Hence, l must look at the question In.
VOWED upon broad lines affecting as of
course In the first instance the Just inter.
ests OF the building Trades Mechanics Coun.
/ Gil and Employees Association OF the RuiId
Ing Trades Of the District of Columbia no,
OFeflookIhS. however. the important Gle.
I ment OF public duty which rests alike uDor
. me as an umpire. and upon all the parties