Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-09-26
Hichmond's rhrcatcncd Labor Trouble

Iiichmond's Threatened Labor Trouble
~ RAWN CONFLICT between the CLOSED
L. shop and tho open shop threatens to
cnSuf Richmond within the rcNt week, bring
ing with ii sudden halt To tho widespread
building operations with which this city ac-
lively and iii huoyant hope entered the re
construction period, Organized labor. through
The Building Trades Council, has served lis
ultimatum that no man may work at the
building trade in Richmond unless he car
ricS a union card The pcnalty ot nonrom-
pliancc on the part OF the contractors will hc
strike. with its accompaniment OF building
stasnation and its possible extension to other
industries
All of this is bad for Richmond. which for
many years has been singuarly and happily
free from labor trouble. Effects Of the con-
trovcrsy and threatened wakout already are
apparent This season mas witnessed period
of almost unparalel building activity. despite
the high costs OF labor and material In
response TO the crying public needs. private
residences and apartments are springinE up
almost overnight in every section Of the city.
With the demand only iraCtionally met. an
indefinite continuation OF tho activity. which
spells general prosperity. might have been
expected Hut the union demand that no
nomunion man be employed i'll Richmond is
checking. and promises TO clog. the local
wheels OF industry. II is not altogether re
>pOnSblc for the sudden slowing up OF build
ns in Richmond, the further increase i'll the
cost OF materials having contributed 10 the
same end but ii is large and perhaps
prcdomnatlng. factor in an unfortunate
situation
Md what do the union men demand? Lit
Tie is said about working conditions and
wages on these points they profess them
selves 70 be content and stress is laid on the
lack Of = request for moro money. Rather
their demand or the one which receives all
he emphasis and on which the situation
hinges TO swing for Richmond's good or Rich
mond's ILL., is recognition of the unions right
10 say who shall and who shall not work in
Richmond II is the same contention on
which the great steel strike is based and il
Is The underlying platform of organized la
hcrs activity throughout this country and the
world today
And the result: Ii the demands OF labor
we're OF material sort. if they were for in
creased pay or shorter hours. they might be
granted The people would pay the bills and
the employers suffer little But the present
demand Is vital 10 the employers business.
tor II granted it will put his production in
control OF the workers. who may then pro-
coed At leisure TO enforce such other demands
as L. may please them 10 make That they
will not be light is evinced by thousand
instances
II may not DE too late TO compose the local
ulHerences' although. frankly, the portents
arc not favorable But if the city authorities
ana the civic associations. charged with such
tiers, have not already volunteered their
sood Offices toward checting AN amicablc set
iiement, They should lose no more time in
doing so Let every resource be used 10 bring
ihc conflicting elements together in friendly
arrangement for Richmond, with its future
At stake can i'll afford 10 bear the added bur-
Gcn o! industrial confusion and stagnation