Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-06
DISCRIMINATION CHARGED
NoN-uNIoN MEN CAN'T WORK
FOR LOCAL GAS COMPANY.
So Says Executive Committee OF EN-
ployers' Association In Letter to
Company's Stockholders.

The executive committee VI tic LIH-
ployers' Association of the Building
Trades of the District of Columbia. con-
sisting Of Joseph Richardson. s. s. Shedd.
Samuel Ross, John r. Galloway and w.
E. Speir. has addressed letter to the
stockholders of the Washington Gas Light
Company, complaining of the policy OF
some of the officials of that corporation
in the conduct of its affairs. The claim
is made that the officials decline to make
a contract for work when the contractor
conducts an open shop. The claim is also
made that the company's policies are
inimical to the best interests Of the city
and of the stockholders Of the company.
Unjust to Business Men.
In the opening paragraph of the letter
the stockholders are advised that 1.-The
policy referred to calls for unfair dis
elimination in its dealings toward a
reputable class Of business men-men
against whom as consumers and patrons
there should be no unjust bias-and 80
places the Washington Gas Light Com
pany in an unenviable position as great
corporate body dispensing q public
utility. and, secondly. because this policy
persisted in must inevitably. sooner or
later revert back upon the interests or
the stockholders"
Continuing. the letter asserts that re-
Gently bids were asked for the construc-
ton of a gasometer, and the contractor
to whom the work was awarded had
large subcontract had been given to the
lowest bidder, a subcontractor employing
open shop men. but on this being made
known to a certain officer of the gas light
company the general contractor was In
formed that he would not be allowed to
make use of the low bid of the subcon-
tractor on the ground that he employed
men who were not members OF any union.
Superintendent Hart OF the gas COM
pany was seen later by committee, the
letter recites. and not only acknowledged
the facts as reported, but volunteered
the information that another bid from q
contractor who had done work for the
company for years had also been re-
fused on the same grounds.
An Acknowledged Policy.
The conclusion is then drawn from
the tenor Of the reply that the ac-
knowledged policy of the officers of the
gaslight company rs one of unjust
bias and discrimination against con-
tractors who refuse to be dominated by
the labor unions or dictated to by the
walking delegate, and who assert their
rightful independence in administer
Ing their own affairs and employ such
efficient workmen as seem advisable"
please bear In mind, the letter in
forms the stockholders, that this policy
is SO closely adhered to that it refuses
the lowest bidder If he employs open
shop men, even to the financial detri-
ment of the company, and 1t also re-
duces healthy competition by restrict
ing bids to but one class of men. viz,
those employing union labor and work
ing under closed-shop conditions"
The statement Is made that the EN-
ployers' Association Is an organization
composed of prominent business men, who
have spent thousands of dollars to make
1t possible that the business men of Wash
ington shall be free to administer their
own affairs without let or hindrance OF
any labor union, and they have made 1t
possible for the mechanic and working
man to obtain work upon his own personal
merit and in the open market to sell the
labor of his hands at a price his efficiency
commands without the costly inter-
mediary of the union business agent.
Fair Play Is Asked.
ITO maintain this commendable position
of vital importance to every citizen of
the District-the cooperation of the bust
ness men and the great corporations of
the city is necessary, and it Is our firm
belief that the stockholders of the Wash
ington Gaslight Company when &C
quainted with the facts as we have stated
them will express their conviction in no
uncertain language and take their stand
for fair play in the awarding of the con-
tracts of the company"
The committee concludes its letter as
follows: I'VE ask no favors but what
fairness demands-that the open shop be
not Disseminated against because of his
principles. but be given fair field for fair