Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-05-05
STATEMENTS IN
DISPUTES ISSUED
Little Change in Labor Situa-
ton; Both Sides Moderate
in Their Language

The building trades disputes re-
NAMED unchanged to-day, according
10 hoth the union leaders and the
contra ctors, although ii was said
mat several more of the Master
Ericklayers' association had signed
The scale.
Of etatements by, II. Nj. Brooks, head
or tbe Central Labor Union, on be-
batf Of the executive board of the
cornenters' union, with which he is
ofiriaIly identified, and by the Mas
Tor Bricklayers' association. Both
are moderate in their language and
sci forth the positions both sides
take. e.,
lows: A., ,.,,.,,..
,t.toment in regard to the contro-
versv of the Carpenters union, NO.
9S5 and the building contractors OF
"trirsJ there has been no strike
called; the men working on the 1op
we're only asked to quit work IN
moral support of the movement Tor
better conditions, and no men We're
ordered to quit work by the business
agent until this morning, when
fen men who are weak-kneed were
told to report at once.
"frhe matter would not have gone
This far had the bosses met the conf
mittee on Wednesday afternoon.
Now, why do the contractors refuse
10 meet the executive committee
and why do they say we nave 40
orraniZation lik ethe bricklayers
baveo such has been the report
made TO some of the members. The
hriclLlayers have not got the mem
hership that the carpenters nave IN
w. Most ofthe contractors are in
favor of signing the scale, ana at
least six of them have at TINS ume
signed, yet they would not give US
n conference, and two OF the largest
contracto have not been reacheo
as vet in regard to taxing up the
matter lin conference.
Are they afraid of the commit
fee or n little fellow like the busi-
ness agent, who wants the men 90
have only their just rights ana tne
non IN be on more friendly OASIS
nnd feeling with the employers
which has not existed In TINS Vlcin-
ity up to the present time, ana MAKE
the union working man 10 DC looheo
up TO and not down. ii, oo
Now, if the employers Will agree
IN meet the executive board IN
conference. this matter will be set
tIad in a short time, and the men
,oturn TO work. Let us have peace
and n better understanding, ana lne
world will look brighter to the men
and their employers.
81 have not called a strike ana 90
not intend to at this time. There ID
no strike on at present. pr;o,.
y. The statement of Master Brlch-
handed
day is as follows: ;a
.'The Master Bricklayers associa-
tion desires it understood that the
present misunderstanding between
Re members and the bricklayers'
inion is not of the Master Brick
iavers' making. The union has asked
The contractors to advance lhelr
wages from So cents to 20 cents an
bour This. in view of the scales OF
the other building trades OF the GIiS'
we have thought TO he unreasonapie;
we offered TO compromise on ~
cents an hour. The men have re-
fused this offer. To give them the
whole amount asked would advance
The cost Of bricklayInS in HARMS
burr about $3.50 a thousand, Whlch
we have thought would be a great
hardship TO the prospective pullder,
especially for the man VINO mas
saved uD money WIFI WHICH " puiiN
a home and who must make every
dollar count. We have always tried
TO deal reasonably by our employees
and mean to do so now
The American Association Tor La
Dor Legislation, of New York, to-day
forwarded to representatives here
the following:
THAT the protective labor laws
of PENNSYLVANIA are endangered by
the bill authorizing the Governor to
suspend any restriction relating to
labor contained in any law is the
declaration made by the American
Association for Labor Legislation
here to-day.
Urging that a public hearing be
given on this measure (H. r. 1870,
the association says: Although this
suspension would be for period not
longer than the duration OF the pres
ent war, the proposed law is SO
worded that any exemption would
apply TO all employments, not TO
designated establishments furnish
ing war supplies, or to special proc
esses, or even to special Industries:
Any exemption under this proposal
must be sweeping, having the effect
of temporarily wiping the law OIL
the bOokS''