The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-05-30
Understood Both Sides May
Agree to Submit wages
Only to Board of
Arbitration
IN SUCH CASE MEN
WILL RESUME WORK
AND AWAIT RESULT
Two Sessions of Board Were Held
Yesterday, But Nothing Was
VOuchsafed as to the
Progress Being
Made

in building circles last night than at
any time since the negotiations for
settlement began
While the state board of arbitration
is absolutely silent as to what has come
before 1t, it is understood that an i'm
portant phase developed during the day.
This was to the effect that the labor
unions had practically agreed to sub
nit to arbitration the matter of wages
only" This would mean that they are
willing to forego the contention for ab-
solute recognition of the union as such
but are willing to abide by the decision
of the state board as to what is a
fair and equitable scale of wages in
| Birmingh
1t Is further understood that when
this was suggested to the contractors
a number of the most prominent among
them were not unwilling to abide by
any decision the state board might
reach on the question of wages only"
The Contractors association is said to
have brought the matter before 1t last
night but nothing could be learned
as to the decision reached
Would Return to Work
In case the contractors decide to
agree to the arbitration of the wages
to be paid the strikers will return to
work at once so that work can pro-
ceed while the Investigation is being
made. Under the tentative agreement
proposed the carpen ters would return
} to work at 10 cents an hour the amount
they were getting when the strike be-
gan. and would work for this amount
until the report of the board of arbi-
tration is announced
AT two sessions held by the board of
arbitration yesterday the questions in
volved in the labor dispute were de-
fined. DIR. George H. Denny, president
of the board, and Gen. e. w. Rucker
and James b. Drake. associate members.
: are all here attending the sessions.
Hope for Settlement Soon
The general impression is that the
parties to the strike will reach some
solution and that by tonight at the
latest the Birmingham labor strike viii
be over A persistent report which was
In circulation yesterday but which
could not be verified was to the effect
that the local unions had received noti-
hcation from headquarters of the
American Federation of Labor that thu
present trouble In Birmingham would
have to be settled soon or their char
ters would be taken away from them.
The board convened yesterday morrinp
In General Fuckers offices at II O'Clock
and recessed at / O'Clock 1t convened
again at o'clock and adjourned for the
day at 4:3O. The session will begin this
morning at $3.50 O'clock
Today we acted as mediators, tomor-
row we will act as arbitrators," said DR..
Denny, president of the board, after ad-
Journment yesterday afternoon. To-day
we defined the question, tomorrow we will
try to settle it."
"liave the strikers and the contractors
agreed to abide by any verdict which may
be reached by the board?' DR. Denny was
asked.
Il prefer not to answer that oues-
tion, he said.
Later, however Dr. Denny did answer
the question. Tomorrow morning." he
said, "the contractors and the labor or
ganizations will inform us whether or
not they are willing to agree to our arbi-
traton. They are holding meetings and
will decide this matter tonight"
Governor O'Neal Not in CITY
Governor O'Neal did not come to Bir-
mingham Wednesday night with Dr.
Denny from Tuscaloosa. The governor
received a long distance telephone call
summoning him to the capital and he
returned there Wednesday night. DIR.
Denny came to Birmingham Wednesday
! fto in, of
train being late. DR.. Denny stated that he
had told the governor he would wire him
If there was any need for him in Birning-
ham, and added further that he did not
think there would be-
The work of the board vest terday con-
sisted in examining into the facts in the
case. Written briefs of the facts of the
strike as each side them were sub
} mitted by the labor organizations and by
the contractors. Ben Davis. counsel, and
James Whaley, secretary of the Carpen-
ters' union, appeared before the board for
, a few moments.
President Gam OF the Alabama Fedora
, ton of Labor of Admission is in the city
meeting was held by the Birmingham
Building Contractors association yester-
day morning and several kilograms were
sent out by Secretary George Stafford
after the meeting. The nature OF the
meeting however. not disclosed
INOlle VI TIE oulcldiS OF members OF the
contractors association would talk about
their position in the strike and the
chances for settlement.
Another phase of the situation is that
there are many contractors in the city
who are not members of the Birmingham
Building Contractors association and that
ii is probable that these contractors will
agree to arbitration by the board. 1t is
known that an Ensley association Of con-
tractors has held Il conference with the
labor representatives.
All sessions of the board of arbitration
yesterday were executive. They will be
the same today. The board wac created
by a bill passed. through the last legisla-
ture and the members were appointed by
Gov. Emmett ONeal.
Marriage Licenses
The following marriage licenses were
issued yesterday in the office of the pro-
bate clerk:
]. G. Huges of New Castle and Miss