The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-01-29
Has as Object the Closer
Cementing of Employer
With Employe.
UNIONS DOUBT
ITS EFFICACY
Leaders Say Intention Is Antago-
nistic TO the Movements
Purely for Workers.

An independent organization, mot an
tagonistic 20 trades unions or any
other body" but putting every man on
a platform Of freedom and independ-
ence. has been formed in Washington
among employers and employees Of the
/ building trades.
It IS designated the Association of
Masters and Craftsmen OF the Building
Trades, and its avowed object is 10
unite employer and employe in a com
munity OF interest. giving mutual aid
one to the other, and shirking outside
influences.
In a statement given 10 The Times BY
william Z. Spier, secretary Of the new
organization, today, Mr.. Spier said that
the new organization was not antagon-
isuc to the trades unions or labor or
ganizauons, that 1t was not formed for
that purpose. He declared that it had
nothing to do with unionism, and the
object in the creation Of this new body
was peace, and not war.
Labor Disagrees.
washington labor leaders, however,
disagree with this statement. They de-
clared emphaticaLy this afternoon that
it was the purpose Of the master build
ers, who were fostering the movement,
to aim another blow at organized labor
in the District Of Columbia, and to make
a last EFFORT toward breaking the back
OF the building trades
The organization is unique, and is the
first Of its kind ever formed in the
I United States. or ia the world. It VIII
/ grow rapidly is the belief Of Secretary
SDier former president OF the SpIer
Company. builders. Those promoting il
express the belief that tley have solved
the labor problem, and their lead viii
/ be followed throughout the country
/ wherever there are labor ana builders
/ organizations.
Joseph Richardson, VINO as president
/ Of the Master Builders Association,
! conducted the "Open shop fight IN
Washington, that has been running for
two years, is president Of the new or
ganizati0n. Joseph Armand, a journey
man bricklayer. is first vice president:
/ William Humphreys, a journeyman
/ carpenter, is second vice president:
Thomas Hughes. who was president OF
the Master Bricklayers' Association,
I throughout the open shop fight, is
treasurer. and William Z. Spier is sec
Fetary.
Objects Planned.
According to the constitution and by
laws, the object, pu pose, and prin-
ciples OF the organization are declared
to be as follows:
ITO briEg the employer and the en-
ploye engaged IN the building industry
in the District Of Columbia, into closer
and more friendly intercourse, and II
secure freedom from unjust and uu-
lawful exactiOns. To promote the iIl-
terests OF its members, and to foster
and encourage the highest standard Of
workmanship, and the highest possible
wage, mertt6d by skill and proficiency
To adopt ways and means OF peace
fully adjusting and settling all cOnuO-
VeTsies, difficulties mlstlndersran anulngs,
and grievances, and procure harmony
and certainty in the relations existing
between employer and employe.
To establish free, independent or
open shop principles ia the District or
Columbia as a permanent condition. &C
kuOWledglLg the right or every man ID
be free and independent. and denying
the right of any individual 'organiza-
uOn' or union 10 infringe the same. We
declare and affirm that absolute per-
sonal independence OF the individual 10
work OF not 10 work, 10 employ or not
10 to employ, is fundamental princl-
pie which should not be questioned or
assaiIed; that upon it depends the Sc
cUriIy OF our whole social fabric and
business prosperity and that employer
ana empioye s.ouid be equally inter
esLed in its defense and preservation.
Closely Allied.
That the interests OF the employer
and workman are so closely inter
woven that they must work together in
harmony for success, which can only
be done by being free and Independent
of the dictauons and cOercive inhu-
euce of trades unions or any third
party. Therefore, we declare for the IN
dependence OF open shop. principles.
The constitution further provides that
any member Of the association who
becomes allied with an auJagonistic or
ganiZatiOu. or whose actions or conduct
Shall be I'm conflict with the association.
OF detrimental to its management or
reputation, shall be liable TO be dropped
OF expelled.
1t is provided that all ballOting shall
be on an equal C0nJ0lnJ vote that Is,
a minority of masters or craftsmen at
any meeting shall be given sufficient
additional votes TO make the voting
equal
Master Builders.
The constitution further provides that
the president shall be the chief ex-
ecutve Of the association, and shall he
a master builder. that he shall be pres
ident of the board OF governors, and
exOsciO member of all committees,
The board of governors and all COM
mittees are composed of an equal num-
ber of masters and craftsmen, but on
all of them the president serves eN
ofHciO Practically all business must be
transacted through them.
Aside from waiting for the president
to absent himself, the duties of the vice
presidents consist in a committee each.
There are four elective offices, presi-
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