Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-04-10
THE RIGHT MAN COULD
BRING FACTIONS
TOGETHER
SUGGESTS MEETING
LOCAL ORGANIZED LABOR EN-
THuSiASTS TELL HOW TROU-
BILE CAN BE TERMINATED:
NEITHER SIDE HAS ASKED FOR
CONFERENCE.

Because neither side in the labor
dispute between the plumbers aad
their employers are asking for a con
ference to adjust their differences,
there appears little cnance for settle
ment at an early date. In view of the
present tieup work of important M
ture is being lield back aad perhaps
may be delayed indefinitely.
Since the plumbers left their posts
little over ten days ago no attempt
has been made for settlement by
either side, anu because OF this goou
deal of the contracting work Of the
city remains at Il stand still
Workmea not employed for mem
bers of the Contractors and Employ
ers association have been able to con
t.nue their work unhampered. The
increase asked by the painter, plas-
tCts, and bricklayers OF five cents per
hour has been granted. The plumbers
are asking for a fifty cent raise for
the first year per day and another
fifty cents in the second year The
contractors have announced their viii
lingness to grant fifty cents Increase
for the two years but are against al
lowing an additional fifty cents during
the second year
1t was thought at first that the
declaration of Samuel Gompers of the
American Federation of Labor that no
strike should exist during the wal
period might effect the labor trouble
here. The declaration of the Amer.
can Federation OF Labor is one that
deals generally with the u. S, labor
conditions and has no effect on loc
al strike OF this kind.
No Give or Take.
J. NJ. Lougherty, president OF the
Contractors and Employers associa-
ton when interviewed by a Free
Trader-Journal reporter stated that
no conference had been asked by the
union mel with the contractors nor
had the contractors asked for a meet
ing with the laboring men.
The erection Of the Illinois Valley
hospital and the annex to the Ryburn
hospital are two very important jobs
that may be tied up as a result OF
the labor differences.
Wilson Nails Canard.
Stories gaining circulation that his
was the vote that could cause the
strike to be settled were emphatical'
ly denied today by William Wilson,
plumbing Inspector for the city. Mr..
Wilson stated he held only an honor
ary membership in the local and while
he was not actively employed at his
trade, he would not vote either way
on strike proposition
1T would not be fair for me to use
my voice in fixing conditions for other
men," said Mr.. Wilson. While
hold card in the plumbers union !
have not taken active part in its al
fairs since was placed in charge OF
the inspection department by the
city.
1T IA not fair of anyone to say that
could have cast the deciding vote
The men we're firm for strike in
case their demands we're not met and
anything | could have done would not
have altered this condition the least
pit
when go back to my trade will
then take an active part in the organ
ization affairs, but until that time
will let the men engaged at the trade
manage their own little differences
without any interference with me- he
concluded
Time Ripe for Arbitration.
Admission Of inactivity in bringing
about settlements by both sides of thu
controversy brings the strike dowI
to the point where arbitration Is al
most necessary
"One prominent enthusiast OF organ
lied labor in a statement to the Free
Trade. Journal said: "The only wa,
this strike can be settled and all th
men sent back to their jobs Is by az
bitratlon. Neither the contractors no
the men show any willingness to al
proach the other with an offer. Fo
lack of any "get together propos
tions there is a possibility of tn
strike dragging out It's weary lengt
into alarming length. Some man wit
enough influence and respect fror
both factions. should enter the gam
and do his utmost to bring about
meeting. believe settlement coul