Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-28
ASKS AID FOR THE OPEN SHOP
EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATION SAYS
1T NEEDS FUNDS.
Builders Declare Public Reaps Bene-
fit Of the Organizations Strug-
gle and Should Help:

Funds are needed by the Employers AS
ISOLATION of the Building Trades of the
District Of Columbia for it's fight for the
open shop in this city. And SO. today.
call for material assistance is being sent
out to members of the Board of Trade,
Chamber of Commerce and individual
business men for the campaign fund for
next year.
The call is signed by Joseph Richard
son, w. T. Galliher, Cuno H. Rudolph.
president of the Board of Trade; E. c.
Graham and Secretary E. K. Hall. 1t is
recited that the building industry is the
most important industry Of the District
of Columbia; that it affects and is af-
fected by every line of business. 1t is the
city depends upon its stability and the
growth of the city upon it's continuance.
FIFTEEN years ago a workman was paid
according to his ability and production.
ment entered the building industry. Union
men did not object to working side by
side with nOn-union men,
1t is then told how the unions increased
In number and formed combinations, until
the employers about six years ago,
realizing that they were unable to be
masters OF their own business and capt.
tai organized the Employers Associa-
ton of the Building Trades"
Story of Joint Agreements.
The story of the joint agreements be-
tween the several trades is described.
Restrictions as to the amount of work
one man should perform were put into
effect. until it resulted in a condition that
the sloweSt and most inefficient man on
the job set the pace for all the workmen.
Then the fast workman ceased to exist"
But few apprentices were permitted. it
is further stated. Other conditions are
recited, and it is said:
The result is that today the strictly
union job is the exception instead of the
rule; the investor is getting much more
labor for the same wages than before the
open shop was brought about: no restric-
tons are placed on what a man shall do
in eight hours; there are no strikes on
open-shop jobs; there are more efficient
skilled men looking for work than can be
employed; the cost Of building has been
materially lessened; the unions have been
successfully thwarted In their attempt to
enforce the universal working card: the
freedom and right of the employer to adj
minister his own business has been def
nitely established. and the public is de-
irving the mOmentary benefits of our sue
cessful struggle.
Public Is Benefited
1.-The fruits of all this struggle, the con-
tinuance of the present satisfactory con-
ditions essential to the prosperity Of the
District and the resultant benefits gained
can only be maintained through the moral
support and hearty cooperation of the
public-spirited men Of the city.
The actual amount of money expended
within the past year to establish the
open shop Is nearly $4,000. and three
times this amount would not represent a
fair remuneration for the time given by
our members and actual losses sustained
This entire expense has been met by VOL
untary contributions from firms and indi-
vidual members of our association in some
branch of the building industry
We have sufficient subscriptions in
hand to finance our association for the
current year, but We need 5000 for work
already done.
I'VE believe the public. being largely the
beneficiaries of our efforts, will be glad to
bear part Of the expense. If you agree
with us, and are inclined, we shall be
pleased to receive your contribution"