Arizona republican., 1919-11-27

lie interest, had appoint as the public representative the Hon. Huyel Davies, the federal labor mediator for the stafe of Arizona, a man of very broad knowledge of labor problems. high per sonal standing, and well known for his friendly interest in the laboring man.
 No reply having been received to this letter on November q we ad- dressed the following letter to the Phoenix Building Trades Council:
 Send Another Letter
 Phoenix, Arizona,
 November 21, 1919. To Phoenix Building Trades Council,
 Phoenix, Arizona.
 Gentlemen: We understand that in the recent plan proposed by this com mittee endorsing the policy of the "open shop" in the building trades of this community, and suggesting the creation of an industrial commission to bring about better understanding be- tween employe and employer in the building trades, that in the creation of the commission you prefer differ ent method of selection from that sug- gested.
 This committee, representing the public through the civic organizations. of the city, has definitely declared in favor of the "open shop" in the build ing trades, and We know that this pol icy has the overwhelming support of the people of this community.
 The committee does not feel the question of the "open" or closed" shop could properly come before the proposed industrial commission, but we do feel that there are many matters which could be referred to such a com mission both by the employe and by the employer, the prompt solution of which would greatly add to the indus trial welfare of this community.
 On November 3, 1919, our committee addressed a letter to the unionized crafts in the building trades of Phoe- nix asking that they appoint two mem bers on the proposed industrial com mission, neither of whom should be working in the building trades, and advising the various union organiza- tions of the appointment of two mem bers by the contractors to serve on the proposed commission. and the appoint ment of the fifth member by this com mittee.
 We have received no reply to this iONANtp bul nave DteH dO- vised that while you do not approve of this method of forming an indus trial commission you would be willing to become parties to such an indus trial commission upon different plan of selection from that proposed l Your plan, as we understand it, pro- vides that the building trades should name two members, the general con- fF1CfOrc chnIlId an | restrictions, and that these four should select the fifth member. If you will advise us officially that such plan meets with your approval | and will appoint two men as your rep l resentatives on this commission, the | committee will be glad to modify it's general plan to this extent in the in- terest of bringing about a better un- | derstanding between the employers and the workmen of this community.
 We understand that the Building Trades council meets Monday evening, November "A. This committee holds it's next meeting Tuesday morning. No- vember 25, at which time we shall hope to receive your reply to this let | ter.
 Yours very truly, !
 Chairman Citizens Committee. | (Signed) MEL FTCKAS,
 Secretary
 Reply Of Unions
 At the meeting of our committee | yesterday morning, we received the following reply from the Building Trades Council:
 Phoenix, Arizona.
 Nov. 24, 1919. ''To the Vivics Committee on Labor
 ''G. W. Barrows, Chairman. | Gentlemen:
 We must take issue with you when you say that you, the committee on labor of thee civic organizations, rep resents the public. Far more do we represent them. From our standpoint you represent only the business in- terests of the city and valley, and as such we address you.
 Tt gives us great pleasure to note 1 that the general and sub contractors l are now forming a closer federation for we feel that only by more compact unionization of the building industry can good come to the citizens of Phoe- nix in the way Of industrial peace Sc Tn reply to yours of November 21, in which you propose a plan for an in- ! UuStl ldl COulfulSSiOH 10 act as a clear ing house between the contractors and their employees, will say that we heart | fly concur. But when you wish to tie the hands of this commission by saying | that the question of "open" or closed shop should not come before proposed i commission, we must most emphat cally object. Since this question is the paramount issue today in Phoenix, as we'll as elsewhere, no good in the way of peace can come until this is defi- nitely settled. So far as we know, no agreement between a builders ex- | change and the unions has ever been reached on the basis of the open shop, and we firmly believe, from the | experience of years, that no such agree | ment will ever be made. We are not l interested in an academic discussion of the subject, but must have a practi- cal basis from which to start the dis cussion of matters which would great 1 ly add to the industrial welfare of this community" Hence, we insist on the Union Shop.
 We have gone into this discussion to this extent, so that there may be nc misunderstanding of our attitude or the question.
 Tn answer to the next to the last | paragraph or your communication will say again that the plan meets with our heartiest approval, and tha the men to represent us are to be SC. lected by the council later.
 Hoping that this is the first steI toward permanent industrial peace il Phoenix and vicinity, We are, your. sincerely,
 "PH ENIX BUILDING TRADES
 COUNCIL
 "(Signed) JOHN J. CORRIGAN, Secretary.
 Resolution Adopted