The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-05
If So, Then Contractors Will
Give In to Unions.
STAND BEHIND THE PEOPLE
Master Builders Are Trying To
Encourage Work.
Statement of Attitude Issued by
Employers Today.

the increased wages asked Dy IAe
striking building unions in their con-
tracts for new homes and buildings.
the contractors of the city are per-
fectly willing to give in to the union
demands and open up activity at once.
The contractors are holding out
against the increases asked by the
unions because they feel as tho they
are unjust. coming at this time when
men need work and at a time when
materials and labor are at top-notch
prices The contractors declare that
they are standing behind the general
run of people in this fight against the
strikers It is easy enough for a con-
tractor to figure on a job and include
in his estimates the increased wages
under the new scale demanded by the
unions.
But will the people stand for it?
Will Mr.. Average Man who works
at the Santa Fe offices and who has
been saving for years to build a little
home, be willing to pay the increase?
VIII he let a contract for his new
home despite the big gain in costs :?
VIII he be satisfied TO take the medi-
cine that the contractors would be
forced to prescribe?
That is the question the master
builders (contractors) put up to To-
peka today in defense of the attitude
they take in denying the union de-
mands.
Contractors in Explanation.
The Master Builders association of
Topeka, F. NJ. Spencer, president, is
sues the following explanation today:
During the period that led up to the
war, and during the time that our army
took part and went to Europe and set
tied It, the labor of the United States was
endowed with the greatest chance OF It's
career to take advantage OF an abnormal
situation, and they did.
while our soldiers were in France fac
ing death and hardships TO fight our bat
Ice ut
United States were d:sgruntled and dis
satisfied with the highest wages they have
"There was a shortage of men at home
=, for industry, and some of those left at
home to keep the wheels running took ad:
advantage Of the situation. demanded
higher wages because they could.
Don't Want reduction.
at is a known fact that materials and
necessities are too high and that there
must be Il readjustment of them on a
downward scale.
1.-THE master builders do not want to see
n reduction of the wages now paid. They
want reduction of material costs and the
necessities that men buy, so that they VIII
have saving with their present wage.
The master builders deeply In
terested in the upbuilding of Topeka. the
welfare of loyal employees. and the rights
OF their clients who stimulate their indus
at is not fair TO those who would build
homes and make investments that they
should stand further increase of Its
cost 1t is not fair think that the mas
ter builders would sit back and allow
things to. soar in price without protest.
when It is known fact that any higher
costs will discourage the building.
Several of the building craftsmen have
without consideration Of such facts. de-
present high wage 1t is selfish and I'M
reasonno ole demand. The master builders
deem it sufficient ane wise that the high
wage of 1918 stay in force, except in the
cases they have already conceded raises.
for the year 1919 or until such time as
business conditions warrant a readjust-
''The high wage of 1918 is conceded to
have met the conditions prevailing at that
time. which is known to have been the
highest that it has ever been.
Quit without Warning.
"The demands of an increased wage were
made to the master builders last January.
They were declined at that time and those
making the request advised that the de-
mand would not be granted April /, which
time they had set ms the time for the
change to take effect. Many of the men
who were affected in the matter expressed
themselves as willing to withdraw the re-
quest. others did not.
"Wlthout any written warning that they
would do so, the following craftsmen. en-
plOyed by the master builders, namely. the
brickmasons. the stOnemasons, the car
penters, painters and paperhangers laid
down their tools April 1 and left the werk
on which they were employed. regardless
OF the damage that might result the owners
OF these works.
what confidence can an employer or
owner place with wOrkmen who assume
such attitude? Do the people of Topeka
wish to countenance and encourage such
actions? If the people of Topeka want an
advance of housing costs-advise the
master builders and they can have it.
Until the people Of Topeka-not the
press a desire to see prices soar, and wages
20 rampant the master builders will stand
by their present decision that the wage of
Il Ia afn
carpenters, painters and paperhangers, Sc
for stOnemasOns and $50 for labOrers, for
an S-hour day, is a fair wage, and no ad-
vance is warranted. They have not re-
fused the llen employment ut the above
wages-nor did they instruct them to
leave their work as they did.
To Hire No Strikebreakers.
1.-The master builders of Topeka would
not be expected to hire strikebreakers when
these employees have homes and families
here. They have no such intentions. The
people Of Topeka should not be expected
to encourage such attitude on the part of
labor by hiring strikers who have adver-
tised for work, trying to place an impress
sion that the master builders and others
had refused them work.
The matter should be settled and the
decision fair to all concerned and involved
by such deciSiOn-and but short time
should elapse, when men who consider the
wage In force during 1913 a fair and high
wage allowed to resume their employment.
Aud the master builders will not deny
their employees the right to work at such
wages. This matter is of MS great i'm
portance to the people of Topeka as it is to
the master builders-whether building will
be discouraged by higher prices-or
whether those who have been encouraged to
go ahead will do so by things remaining
normally high. as they are now conceded to
he. The master builders association will
coneede that every question has two sides,
they will concede that a craftsman is most
worthy OF his hire but they will not con-
cede demands that In their Judgment will
discourage their resource of business They
do not want the goose killed which laws
the golden egg"