Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-18
FORM BUILDING GUILD
Trades Masters and Crafts
men Unite in Mixed Union.
OUTCOME OF OPEN SHOP
Hundred and Fifty Men in Attend
ance at First Meeting.
OBJECTS OF NEW ASSOCIATION
Right to Work or Not to Work, to
Employ OF Not to Employ,
Is Asserted.
OUTCOME OF OPEN SHOP
OBJECTS OF NEW ASSOCIATION

4 mixed union" Is the designation ap-
piled to new organization composed Of
master builders. contractors and employees
Of these trades, which has caused labor
circles to sit up and take notice.
The title Of the society. under which
it is incorporated. is Association Of Mas
ters and Craftsmen Of the Building Trades
of the District OF Columbia
The organization is the outcome of the
recent strenuous open shop battle between
employers and organized labor. which
continued about two years. The details
of the association. which embraces in its
membership both employer and employee.
was worked out after much thought and
effort by William e. Speir, formerly presi-
dent Of the Speir Company, building con-
tractors.
ton was attended by $50 men. including
contractors, master workmen, journey
men. bricklayers. carpenters and repre-
sentatives of other crafts. constitution
were adopted and 100 of those present
signed the roll of membership.
Officers were elected as follows: Joseph
Richardson, master builder, president:
Joseph Armand. journeyman bricklayer,
first vice president: William Humphreys.
journeyman carpenter. second vice presi-
dent; Thomas Hughes, master br1cklayer.
treasurer; William E. Speir, master
builder, secretary. These officers and
six other men, equally divided between
masters and craftsmen, every trade to be
represented, will form the executive COM
| mittee.
Problem Is Solved.
+ Secretary Speir said today that the Or
ganization will, in his opinion. solve the
organizational problem presented by the
open-shop fight. as workmen and bosses
will be included in its membership. as
we'll as contractors, thus bringing all in
close touch and into a mutual community
of Interest and bringing together those
who have been antagonistic.
The objects of the organization. as
adopted at the initial meeting, recites that
it's purpose IS:
ITO bring into closer and more friendly
! intercourse the employer and employee en-
gagged in the building industry: to reform
abuses and secure freedom from unjust
and unlawful eXactions; to promote the
interests of its members; to foster the
highest standard of workmanship and the
highest possible wage mer1ted by skill
and proficiency; to adopt ways and means
of peacefully adjusting and settling all
controversies. difficulties, misunderstand-
ingS and grievances: to procure harmony
and certainty in the relations existing be-
tween employer and employee: the test for
Membership snail De the skill, character,
standing and ability of the applicant: to
adopt ways and means to aid and assist
It's members In case of accident. sickness
or death: to establish free. independent
open-shop principles in the District Of Co.
lumbia as a permanent condition: to ac-
knowledge the right of every man to be
free and independent. and denying the
right of any individual, organization or
union to infringe the same.
I'VE declare and affirm that absolute
moi q
to work or not to work to employ or not
to employ. Is fundamental principle
which should not be questioned assail
ed: that upon 1t depends the security of
our whole social fabric and business pros
perity. and that employer and employee
should be equally Interested in its de-
Tense and preservation: that the inter
ests of the employer and employe are
closely interviewer: that they must work
together in harmony for success by being
free from the dictation and coercive in
fuences of trades unions or the third
party.
''Therefore we declare for the indie
pendence of the open-shop principles"
System of Vote.
In order that there may be an equitable
vote it is provided in a unique manner
that each ballot shall contain the votes of
an equal number Of votes of masters and
craftsmen. those present voting twice. if
it should be necessary. to equalize the
ballot In case of d tie the matter is re-
ferred to an arbitration board composed
of equal numbers of workmen and en-
ployers. The whole principle rests upon
a cOnjoint vote.
The management of the association is i'm
the hands of a board of governors COM
prising IL master and craftsmaIh of each
of the building trades All matters af
fecting working hours. rules. wages. etc.
are to be taken up at the annual meeting
and decided for the ensuing year. A fund
is provided for distressed members and
death benefits.
Eight applications for membership were
received by Secretary Speir today.