The Washington herald., 1908-09-01
DEFENDS OPEN SHOP
James Richardson Replies to
John Brinkman.
BUILDING TRADES AFFECTED
Member of the EmpIOyers' Associa-
tfon says Question Involved Is
Whether the Employers Shall
Have the Right to Pass on the
Efficiency of Their Employees.

mat the open-shop policy adopted by
the Employers Association OF the build
ing trades OF Washington does not make
for the disintegration OF organized labor
or threaten the distributing power Of
wage earners. but is maintained merely
to determine whether the labor leaders
shall control the building industry OF the
District, was the opinion OF James Rich
ardson, Of that organization. last night
In an interview, Mr. Richardson replied
to statements made by John Brinkman.
Of the Central Labor Union. and declared
that the most recent public utterances Of
the labor leader were evidently designed
to mislead-"
The Open shop.
Speaking Of the open-shop policy and
Mr. Brinkman's statements. Mr.. Richard
son said:
The letter Of John H BrinEmsn. OF
the Central Labor Union. IS so evidently
written TO deceive the business man and
the mechanics alike. that it calls for some
notice on OUT part
We VIII not go into a detailed reply.
but there are some Of his misstatements
We feel should not go unnoticed. as they
1 are intended especially 10 nislead the
laborins man. We can easily convince
the public OF this fact.
There is not now. nor has there been
since the beginning Of the trouble be
tween the Employers Association and
/ the union labor leaders. anv question
concerning hours or wages The primal
/ object Of this struggle IS 10 determine
I whether the labor leaders shall control
I the building industry OF the District as
7 they see tt, and prevent the members
[ OF their Crga anIzarigns from producing a
( fair days work and good work. or
/ whether the employers shall have the
right 10 pass on the efficiency Of their
employees and manage their business.
Z which. in most cases they are not only
I under contract. but under bond 10 per
. form
/ For the benefit Of the public. We would
I say there Is no longer any strife between
I the employers and the majority Of union
Z mechanics The latter are working IN
I der Cpen-Shop conditions for every mem
I Der II our association The struggle is
! kept alive only by the labor leaders
l whose continuance 20 live in idIeress de-
I pe1ds on the continuance OF the struggle
{ and by a few selfish employers who. for
1 their o"n personal gain. are pa1dering
Z soAc-tolsiy u the paid sg.taJ0Hs
Men Out of work.
1T IS an undenlabIe fact that there are
many other union men in this city out OF
work who would be glad 10 take Jobs
{ where open-shop work IS done were they
I not prevented from doing so by the labor
/ leaders and the selfish employer. Many
union men. nevertheless. are working To-
I day by the side OF nonunion men. We
I would not be compelled 20 bring any men
/ 20 Washington TO take the places Of men
I who are willing. but prevented from
I working II labor leaders would permit
l their men who are willing 20 work 70
| DO So
We do net discriminate against a man
{ and refuse TO take him because he is 4
union man Since the beginning Of The
[ strike there has not been one man dis
I charged because he was union man by
any member Of the Employers Associa.
I ton Our only ofTeuse has been 10 en-
. ploy other men 10 execute our work after
{ the labor leaders had compelled thef7
men 20 leave Us. The small business
man. 10 whom IIr. Brinkmau refers
should welcome a condition which would
| eliminate the credits he has 10 carry be.
/ cause his customers axe forced into idle
I ness by some radical labor leader
/ We know IL 10 be q fact that the
[ union men in the building trades. aside
I from the plumbers never were in favor
{ Of the strike, and submitted 70 il only
{ after the strongest pressure and repeated
visits 10 Washington Of labor agitator:
from all parts Of the United States