The Washington times., 1910-08-24
Organized Labor Regards
Open Shop Slogan as
a Challenge.
EMPLOYERS AGREE
TO STAND TOGETHER
Discrimination and Attempted
Dictation VIII Be Opposed by
Organization

With the emphatic declaration Of the
two organizations OF building con
tractors for open shop and the recent
determination Of organized labor 10 in
sist on the CLOSED shop. a bitter labor
struggle between the builders and the
union building crafts seems imminent
today
IN joint session last night the Master
Builders Association and The Builders
League bodies comprising the leading
contractors and builders IN Washing
ton, threw down the gauntlet 70 organ
lied labor by the passage Of a resolu-
ton asserting their right and the in
JentlOn 10 employ any WOrhnen they
deem fit. regardless Of their afhliatiOn
o. generalization with any particular
sect lodge society. or union
There IS no installing the terms Of
the resolution. and union men Of all
crafts are today discussing the action
and predicting trouble
Reply TO Unions
The resolution comes IN the nature Of
q reply. 10 various recent demands made
by the building trades, the Brick
layers Union being particularly insist
ent, II is reported, on forcing the build
ers and contractors TO adopt the CLOSED
shop policy BrickIayers have not only
refused TO work on Jobs where have
been employed lOn-UniCn brIclIayers.
but have declined 10 work alongside Of
non-unioa men Of any craft
Partial concessions have been grant
ed the carpenters this year. but IN the
main the builders have agreed to n
creases in wage scales but have helq
ont steadfastly against the closed
Lack Of a working agreement. II IS
said has been responsible LOT the failure
Of the EMPLOYERS ORGANIZATIONS taxing
decisive action before However, II vas
he
that the two organizations are now com
niued IN the fight against Organized Ia
Dor and that EenCefOTJh the two bodies
VIII co-onerate-
United Action Taken.
The principal speakers at the meeting
Of the employers last night we're James
L Parsons, president OF the Builders
League. and Frank L Wagner. presi-
dent of the Master builders AssOcis-
ton Following speeches BY these two
heads almost unanimous action was
taken on tie resolution declaring for
''oDen shop and expressing deterTli-
nation 10 stand together against the On
sIaughts Of the labor unions
The resolution passed was
Resolved By the Master Builders As
ISOLATION Of the District OF COlUmDiar
Incorporated and the Builders League
% washington, D. c, IN joint meet
IT las come 10 our notice chat Ger
tain movements ar being 1naCeGI5't q
by the labor unions 70 interfere with
and restrain certain Of our mem bers
in the use of economical, fair. and
honorable methods in the conduct OF
their business. BY passing and putting
into effect rules and equations pro
hibiting the employment OF union and
nonUuiou men on certain JOBS. where
the builder. IN order 20 OBTAIN the best
results and through circumstances max
Ing il necessary has awarded suDcon-
tracts 10 certain subco1CractOrs who
employ nonunion men, and vice versa .
Therefore be IL
Right to Pick Men
Resolved. That we viii not permit
any Of our members TO be disCriDin-
ated against by the labor unions, and
that we reserve 10 ourselves the right
10 employ such srDcouJracJ0rs and
mechanics as IN our Judgment viii
produce The best results
Be il further resolved by the Mas
ter Builders Association OF the Dis
LriCL or Columbia Inc and the Build
ers League Of Washington, d. C., in
each OTEaniza hereby agree TO So
HCiL estimates from any SUbCOntraCtOrs
they may see ut. without reference 10
the afdIiation or nOnatGIIatiOn OF their
employees with any particular sect
lodge society or union. and that they
VIII award the contract 10 the lowest
responsible bidder so invited. without
discrimination. and that any effort or
attempt on the part OF any OTganiza-
ton or combination or WorkUen or
o. the two above associations Of their
right 20 employ whOnsoever they may
deem proper or their business interest
Seem 10 justify VIII be opposed by
everE member thereof, Individually and
IS a body