The New York herald., 1921-12-24
Plasterers Union Gives In
and Plumbers Objection
able Delegate Resigns.
LABOR CLEANING HOUSE
Lockwood Committee Counsel
Hears Housing Progress Is
Not to Be Halted.

Three developments that were re-
garded as highly favorable to a re-
newal of the working agreement be-
tween the Building Trades Employers
Association and the Building Trades
Council, and for the establishment of
better relations between employers and
the unions were reported yesterday.
Patrick J. Crowley. president Of the
Building Trades Council, after long
conference with Samuel Untermyer,
said:
"In my opinion there will be no gen.
eral strike in the building trades, nor
any trouble. I believe things will be
Strengthened out by the middle Of next
week"
The officers OF the Plasterers Union.
whose practices were severely attacked
by Mr.. Untermyer. have been advised
by counsel that these practices consti-
tute criminal offenses. They accord
ingly notified Mr.. Untermyer yesterday
that they were ready to accede to all
his demands for reforms within their
organization.
Chapman Yields to Demand.
Also during the day William II. Chap
man. convicted Of compelling plumbers
to join John T. Hettricks combine, and
who. after serving his sentence, was re-
instated as business agent of the Plumb
ers Union, resigned from that office in
compliance with Mr.. Untermyer's de-
mand.
Mr.. Crowley said that the Building
Trades Council would meet next Tues
day afternoon to consider the specific
and general reforms asked by Mr.. Un-
termyer. Mr.. Crowley was somewhat
philosophical.
I'VE all need a little jacking up once
In WHILE" he said. THE plesterers
were little raw in some Of the regula-
tions they had. but the employers are
pretty bad. too. But don't think there
will be any trouble. There is too much
work to be done. for one thing"
1t was learned that the counter pro-
posals made to the employers by the
Building Trades Council, and which the
employers are now considering. revolve
around the question OF arbitration in
settlement Of disputes. The council is In
sympathy with the principle Of arbitra-
tion if settlement of disputes carnot be
reached through controversy. But in
stead Of a board Of five members. as
was suggested by the building trades
employers. the council wants to adhere
to the tried system of three men from
the union, three from the employers
and a seventh to be selected by the six.
Card Permits to he Abolished.
Michael Coleran, president of the
plasterers' organization. was the man
who carried to Mr.. Untermyer an assur-
ance that his organization would capit
ulate to his demands A general meet
ing Of the organization will be called
some time next week, Colleran said, to
put through a resolution providing for
every reform Mr.. Untermyer has asked.
This will INCLUDE the abolition of the
permit card system, cessation of the
practice of imposing penalties against
employers and the elimination OF vari-
Gus other regulations designed to in
crease the cost Of construction.
Chapmans resignation as business
agent OF the Plumbers Union was forced
by Mr.. Untermyer's threat to try him
on n felony indictment charging extor-
ton. Mr.. Untermyer agreed to postpone
his trial. which had been set for next
month, on the condition that the plumb
ers organization passes a resolution
making any member who has served a
prison sentence Ineligible for office in
the union.