Arizona republican., 1919-10-07
To the Citizens Committee.


 Gentemen: A closed" or an "open" shop in the building trades of Phoe- nix as an industrial problem involving the welfare of the citizens of Phoenix, has been receiving the most careful attention of this committee during the past two weeks.
 September IS. the Contractors asso- citation addressed a letter to the fol- lowing named civic bodies of this city: The Chamber Of Commerce, Merchants and Manufacturers association, Realty Board Rotary and Kiwanis clubs re- questing that each of these bodies ap- point a committee 10 meet with the general contractors at the Chamber of Commerce at D. m. on the 18th.
 In response to this invitation, the officials of these several bodies ap- pointed committees who met with the contractors and after some discussion adjourned to meet at 10 o'clock Tues day morning the twenty-third; at this time the committee organized and heard the statements of the various contractors regarding the labor con- ditions m the building trades and es- pecially as to the effort being made 10 enforce the closed shop by means Of the Building Trades card.
 The Committee desiring full infor. nation before taking any definite ac- ton had a letter addressed to the of ficials of the several unions connected with the building trades invited then to meet this committee at The Cham Der of Commerce at 10 a. m. Thursda! the 18th; in response to this invita- ton there were present Seth Hudgin Of the Building Trades Council ant nf h Bricklayers Union: The situation wa discussed with these men, but the com mittee desiring further information ap pointed a special committee to mee with the Building Trades Council a it's regular meeting on Monday evenin inc 29th, and extend to them an invi tation to send a representative fror each of their affiliated unions to mee with this committee
 This was done and an agreemen was made that such d meeting shoul . be held at The Chamber of Commerc building on Tuesday evening the 30tl At this meeting the following wer present representing their respectiy unions
 Carpenters, Seth Hudgins and Jac Thurman.
 Bricklayers. John McGovern ar Vim. NJ. Brawner.
 Plumbers, Chas. Allen and Oal Walters.
 Plasterers. Geo. Carpenter and Ricf and Kieslng
 Painters. H. G. Sparks.
 Sheet Metal Workers, Henry Dillen.
 Electricians. F. F. Clark.
 Hod Carriers, G. Huigera.
 Lathers. C. F.. Dunston.
 And their views upon the enti labor situation were most freely give and a most general discussion was ha The labor representatives were e cused and this committee went in executive session and a motion W offered as to. whether this commit would recommend the open or clos shop. It was decided that the Gener Contractors being interested parti should not participate in the votir and the question being put it was d cided that this committee would sta for the open shop and a commit was appointed Co outline a future i dustrial policy for this city.
 This committee is of the opini that there has been more than enou destruction in the world during { past five years. and that we oug now, as a community-as a nation consolidate all groups and factions ir one solid. constructive body, who sole aim and desire shall be fair de- ing for all. by all, and to all.
 The differences that have arls Nseem. in a large measure. to be a la of understanding of the point of vi of the parties 10 the controversy. seems 10 the committee that very f "a quently. in such differences of opini the parties to the dispute forget Il the public IS a vitally interested par Industrial prosperity does not r ' upon two legs Each community \ be likencd 10 n three legged stool: c ployees forming one leg. employ another. and the pubic the third; q he who tries to injure any of the tn legs is an enemy to all
 Most of the misunderstanding tween men is due to a lack of kno edge of each other. When men together and talk over their diff ences candidly. much of the grol for dispute vanishes. In the q when industry was on small sc the employer came into direct con, with his employees and the perso sympathy and understanding wi grew out of that contact made rough places smooth. The devel