The Washington times., 1908-04-05
CHAMBERS HELP
DENIED TO LABOR
Business Men Viii Not
Aid in Strike Arbi-
tratiOn.

Sam DeNedrey, secretary OF the Cen
traI Labor Union, has not yet received
a reply from the Chamber of Commerce
TO the letter inclOsing a resolution re-
questing the Chamber of Commerce to
appoint a committee of five 20 act with
a similar committee OF the Central La
Dor Union with a view TO a settlement
OF the present strike IN the building
trades.
In view OF the fact that there is no
immediate prospect of a settlement, the
old conditions probably will continue
through the present building season,
with the usual. strikes and changes in
she shops OF individual builders. The
coming building season will be the dull
est in many years. Only one big build
ing is in prospect, the new home for the
Bureau OF American Republics, which
VIII be started soon, and which viii be
built by union labor.
In view Of these facts it looks as
though both employers and employees
would suffer Following the particu-
1arIy dull winter. It was expected the
usual spring boom would be a big one,
but such is not the case. Old work is
being rapidly completed and there Is
no new building TO take its place The
new Municipal Building, the Union
Station. the Congress Hall Hotel, the
aAdas Israel Temple, the House and Sen
ate office buildings and many others
have been or are now practically com
pleted.
This building depression is being re-
hected in all other lines Of business and
trade. for the reason that it mean:
thousands Of dollars less money to spenc
By the mechanics who have always
spent it in this city. and the work is
being divided between this class and
men brought here from other cities by
the conditions. most OF whom send their
earnings. or at least the best part of
their earnings. TO their families in other
cities and towns,
The present is a psychological mo
ment for a settlement a settlement in
which the Chamber Of Commerce could
be a potent factor" said a labor lead
er recently. why not settle the scrap
have a big building and business boom
an Industrial display and parade. an
old home week. and excursions into
Washington. instead out Of it-bring the
customers TO Washington? Have an in
dustriai peace proclamation and union
of all the active forces of the District
10 launch one big boom. There IS not
a business man in the city, whether in
the Chamber Of Commerce or not, who
would not profit by a jubilee week. with
an industrial display and parade and
other features. or an old home week
with cheap rate coupon excursions run
into Washington from the neighborinG
States. instead OF away from It.
Bring the people OF Maryland TO
Washington and break them of going
TO Baltimore to do their shopping.
There is no one who would not benefit,
from the hotel keeper to the itinerant
merchant on the street, with his catch
penny novelties. It's hard to change
a shopping habit ACQUIRED OF long years
of practice. but bring the people of
Maryland and Virginia TO Washington
and the clamor of a festival There is
not a person in the two States who
would not gladly come to Washington
If only the opportunity offered. Send
ing out a train will have but a limited
effect on their dealings for the other
364 or 500 days of the year; but Wash
ington ana festival-sOrt of county
fair on a gigantic scale-will be remem-
bered. talked about, and handed down
10 pOsterjfy."
No action has yet been taken by the
Chamber Of Commerce. however, and,
at its meeting Wednesday, the request
Tor a committee was not complied with,
on the ground that the Chamber OF
Commerce was not assured that an
agreement with the committee from the
Central Labor Union would be binding
A committee WAS appointed TO prepare
a reply TO the communication, but this
has not yet been received.