The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-18
U. S. OFFERS HELP
IN BUILDING STRIKE
Baker and Wilson Call Oppos-
ing Factions to Wash
ington.
TO CONFER TOMORROW
Labor Here Urges Gompers to
Present Protest to Work
ers Abroad.
TO CONFER TOMORROW

At moment when the building trades
strike threatens TO assume international
proportions, both factions In the con-
troversy were notified last night that the
Government would take an intervening
hand, Secretary of War Baker and Sec
rotary of Labor Wilson having wired
the request that strikers and employers
send representatives TO Washington to-
morrow for a conference over the stsua-
ton.
Henry J. Skeffington, special commits
sioner OF Cancellation from the United
States Department of Labor. whose re-
port TO the Secretary OF War and Secre-
tary OF Labor invoked the proposed Gov
eminent intervention. returned to the
city last night for a consultation with
heads of the striking union ard OF the
New York Building Trades Association.
He was assured that both factions would
send emissaries TO Washington to-mor-
row.
After had talked with the Secretary
Of Labor about the situation in New
York." said Mr.. Skeffington, Secretary
Baker was called in. We discussed every
phase OF the strike. It was my opinion
that only Government efforts 70 mediate
would bring about anything like an early
that both employers and workmen are
locked in their determination to resist.
Government Work Handicapped.
THE strike is handcapping Govern
ment construction work, chiefly on the
RAINY base here, and an army project in
New Orleans. not to mention great
number of smaller undertakings. But I
believe that get together meeting in
Washington between the principals and
Secretaries Baker and Wilson will bring
the trouble to a settlement"
The telegram from Washington was
addressed to William l.. Hutchinson, In
ternational president of tho carpenters
and joiners, and to William u. Donnelly,
secretary OF the New York Building
Trades Employers Association. In addi-
ton 20 the wire 20 each OF these men
Mr.. Skeffington received a duplicate.
with Instructions TO get in touch with
the faction heads and find II they would
| send representatives TO confer with
Baker and Wilson.
The telegram from Washington fol-
lows: I'm view of the public interest in
the widespread effect OF the strike OF the
carpenters in the building trades the Sec
rotary Of War and Secretary OF Labor
Jointly request a conference OF repre-
ployers Association and the brotherhood
Of Carpenters and Joiners OF America
at the office Of the Secretary OF War at
Washington. D. c.. at $3.50 p. NJ.
Wednesday,"
Officers Of the brotherhood of Car
penters and Joiners stated after receipt
| Of the telegram last night that their
| president, William L. Hutcheson, will be
delegated to attend the Washington con-
| ference. and that he will probably be
| accompanied by another executive OF
the brotherhood. Secretary Donnelly OF
| the Building Trades Employers Associa-
ton said that since the telegram had
| been received IN the night the employers
had had no chance TO confer over II, and
| II would not be until to-day that a man
would be named to go to Washington.
Mr.. Skeffinston. following his confer
ence with employers and union leaders
left the city. going to Boston. his home
| All this furry yesterday was much
more exciting than the statistics of the
| strike, OF which there weren't any worthy
Of serious mention. As far as putting
| men off Jobs II Is a diverse far.
Washington is particularly anxious
to have tho strike brought to an end
because OF the serious unemployment,
problem which already faces the nation
| Regarding the cablegram sent to Presi-
dent Gompers In Europe. labor officials
say that It was meant to induce overseas
| labor to aid the American labor forces in
| their war on the alleged unfairness OF
the combination of contractors compris-
ing the New York Building Trades En-.
ployers Association, and that there was
no calculation TO hinder reconstruction
work in France. England. Belgium OF
| elsewhere abroad.
| Charges Made In strike.
THE building trades employers have
been endeavoring to obtain big construc-
ton contracts in Europe after the war.
said William L. Hutchinson. head OF the
| striking carpenters union. land in order
| to ingratiate themselves in the hearts OF
| organized labor In Europe procured rec
concentrations purporting to show theii
fairness toward organized labor ir
| America
| The cablegram that was sent to Mr.
Gompers was for the purpose of warning
European labor against the New York
combination and to withdraw the recon.
mendation OF fair treatment. We simply
want 10 show people in France and Eng
land the unjust attitude the New Yori
Building Trades Employers Association
has taken toward the carpenters union
The cablegram was signed by Frank Nor
rison. secretary of the A. +. OF l., who |.
acting in the absence OF President Com
pers. and hy John H. Donlin, president