New-York tribune., 1919-02-17
Building Trades
Plan 'Tie-Up of
Independents
Threaten TO Extend Strike
Against the Association
to All the Contractors
Employers Won't Farley
Unions Agree to Work if
Granted Mediation; Fed
eral Agents Seek Peace

The strike of 100000 craftsmen in
the building trades throughout the
country, which has been ordered by
union leaders for this morning, will
probably be extended to many indie
pendent operators, it was learned yes
terday, in order to make the tie-up
complete.
Labor officials at the Hotel Continental
Yesterday pointed out that many indie
pendent contractors throughout the
United States are known to be assist.
ing builders affiliated with the Building
Trades Employers Association, against
whom the walkout is directed 1t was
in order to cut off this source of relief
from the contractors involved that this
new step Will be taken by the carpen-
ters The action will throw out sew
eral more thousand workers in addition
to the 100000 affected by the original
order
Henry J. Skefington, one of the two
mediators sent here by the Department
of Labor, stated that, despite the prep
arations being made by both sides for
long fight, a speedy settlement will
be effected, either by the War Labor
Board or by the contestants them
selves. He took this view because of
the interest taken in the affair by the
government and the public Then,
mounting costs both to the employees
and employers as the strike progress
es, he declared, also Will have an I'M
portant bearing on q quick settlement
of the matter
Employer Delegates Lacked Authority
Efforts to induce the employers to
agree to arbitration of the con-
troversy, he said, proved unavailing,
because of the contention by four
members Of the builders association.
with whom he conferred. that they
did not nave the necessary authority
to render a decision, and that the
question would have to be settled at
& more largely attended meeting.
Roland Taylor, president of the con-
tractors organization, took the stand
Yesterday that there would be no arbi-
tration until the employees returned
to work. He stated that they had
violated all agreement made with the
builders, but that differences could be
adjusted if the latter went back on
the Jobs. No special meeting. he said,
would be called to take up the matter
of arbitration, although the members
probably would discuss the question
informally.
Mr. Skefington, before his return
TO Washington, pointed out that the
employers are taking a firm stand
against the increase Of 81 a day de-
manded by the carpenters. They now
get $3.50. He asserted that the en-
ployers claim they can't afford to
grant the extra money. 1t was shown,
however, that approximately rs per
cent of the contractors in the country
have granted the increase.
Would Work While Mediating
ternational Union of Bricklayers, one
of the organizations involved in the
fight, announced that if the employers
agreed 70 mediation the workers would
return to their Jobs Immediately pend
ing the settlement of their differences.
lie said that one of the big questions
at issue IN the present struggle is the
right OF the employers to get together
IN secret conclave and fix the financial
condition Of the workingman without
8 representation of the latter. The
trouble he felt, would have been set
tied with the builders individually long
ago If the association had not decided
upon the fixed wage last November for
the coming year.
The work of organizing the fight and
Clearing up the details was taken up
yesterday by William L. Hutcheson,
International president Of the carpen-
,,ers; William J. Bowen, Of the brick
layers union, and representatives Of
the thirty olher bodies affected
ne walkout also is expected to come
ap before the regular meeting Of the
executive council Of the American
Federation of Labor at the Hotel Con
unen1al today. The council, how
eyer. II was explained by Daniel j.
Ioo0ln, one Of the members, has only
ssoYlsory powers. It's suggestions on
the other hand. have invariably been
carried out
William o. Davidgc, the other
FEDERAL mediator. Will return 10 New
.rsorN tomorrow with Mr.. Skefington.
iney will make further efforts, then.
70 BRING about an understanding.
.