Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-03-19
pIscuas LABOR SITUATION AND
WoRkMEN's COMPENSATION
LAW.
ARCHITECTS OF STATE = !
MEET WITH CONTRACTORS
Committee Of Contractors Named TO
Meet Architects It Later Dats and
Work Out Plans Fer Mers Aarnsent-
Gus sration-Thirty.F Five Build.
srs Present ~ n

Thirty-hve general contractors. mem
bers Of the Master Builders Associa-
ton OF the State OF Iowa, met In this
city Tuesday to discuss problems that
confront the craft. The labor situation
was touched upon. and the workmens
compensation act discussed. Members
OF the Architects Association Of Iowa
met with the contractors to talk over
plans for working in closer harmony
with the builders.
Pavins Way For Open Shop.
AZ a result OF the discussion Of the
labor problems President ]. F. Leefers.
OF Cedar Rapids. said the sentiment OF
the contractors was that the labor
unions are. by their action, paving the
way for IN open shop policy in Iowa.
1.-THE labor unions are asking too
much" said Mr.. Letters. "Altho we
took no definite action we concluded
that, II the present policy Of the unions
is maintained, something will have to
be done. We are not Of the opinion that
the wages are too high, but it Is the
conditions under which the men work
that we object to. In other words we
believe that a distinction in wages
should be made between the ordinary
'hatchet and saw man and the skilled
mechanic. and that the wage should
be scaled.
However" added Mr.. Leefers. I'VE
are not dghting the unions. and are
not organized for that purpose, but
there is no telling what may happen
IL We fail to make q more satisfactory
arrangement"
Want Fair Compensation Law.
The association went on record as
favoring Q workmens compensation
law that would prove equitable to en-
ployer and employe alike. The members
are not Just satisfied with the Clark
son law or of any Of the laws that are
now before the legislature. THE con-
tractors believe that II a man Is In
jured while at work he should receive
damages due him without any litiga-
tion," said President Leefers.
To Meet Architects.
As a result Of the meeting with the
architects Tuesday, in which the rela-
tionship between the two organizations
was discussed, another conference was
planned, and . committee Of the con-
tractors was named to meet like
committee from the architects. to fur
Their the interests Of both organiza-
tiOns.
President Leefers said that the arch
fleets have agreed to revise the pre-
liminary pages Of specifications. some
thing that the contractors have been
working for. These preliminary speci-
fications setting forth the conditions
entered into In the contract, are too vol
luminous, the contractors believe. The
builders. too, believe that the blame
for many things Is made to fall on the
contractor when, in some cases, the
architect should be held responsible. 1t
4. To arbitrate these responsibilities
that the two committees will attempt
their meeting.
President Leefers named az the mas
ter builders committee, to meet the
architects. III. F. Jones, Of Cedar Rap
ids; James Rosssn. Of Iowa City: and
c. e. Atkinson, Of Webster City. Mr..
Leefers will also serve as member
Of the committee.