New-York tribune., 1921-12-07
Untermyer Shows Them
Forcing Architects and
Sculptors to Change
Designs or Face Strike
Indicted BrindelI
Aid Still Delegate
Groups Drawing $12 to
SIG a Day Premiums by
Limiting'Their Members

What were termed the ARROGANT and
tyrannical methods" of certain labor
unions in the building industry were
uncovered at yesterdays session of the
Lockwood legislative committee on
housing in the City Hall. The dis
closures were brought about in the
course Of the efforts Of Samuel Inter
myer, chief counsel to the committee,
to get at the cause of the alleged ir-
efficiency Of labor generally at the
present time, said to be one OF the
basic reasons for the high cost Of con-
struction.
1t appeared from the testimony that
certain unions, notably those Of plas-
terers and others, reserved the right to
censor and criticize artistic embellish-
ments ordered in structures by archi-
tects, and even to demand their de-
struction il they did not meet tho ap-
proval Of the workers.
Banned Imitation Marble
Instance after instance was cited to
the committee wherein elaborate mold
ings and scufptural WORKS executed by
outside artisans for the decoration Of
interiors OF hotels and private places
were ordered removed or destroyed by
plasterers, who demanded the rigllt to
execute and put up the work in their
own way on the job. In one instance
the plasterers refused TO permit the
use of imitation marble in foyer hall
Of residence along Park Avenue, al
though the architect had specified it
and 80 per cent OF the erection had
been completed.
The union men asserted that "the
imitation marble didn't look good" and
ordered the material removed under
threat OF strike. The architect had
to bow before the "artistic tastes" of
the plastercrs. 1t was developed that
the unionists took this stand to make
more work for their members.
Among other abuses of the labor
unions recorded in yesterdays testi-
mony was the alleged general practice
Of keeping down the membership in
labor rganizations and so bringing
about shortage Of labor. This re-
suited in demand for workers, it was
said, and q consequent increase in
wages. Under these conditions an Of
ficer of the Building Trades Employers
Association said that premiums we're
being paid to various kinds of work
ers, carpenters, whose wages were nor
mally SO day, getting premiums up
to $l2, while plasterers. whose wages
arc $40 a day, get as high AZ SIG in
premiums.
Union Stationary for Ten Years
The Hosting Engineers Association
was pointed to as one OF the worst
offenders in, this direction, Joseph Z.
Donohuc, business agent Of the or
ganization, admitting that its member
ship had remained practically station
airy at about $50 members for the last
ten years, and that "thc idea" was to
keep the membership down as the
building requirements increased.
Mr.. Untermyer delved deeper into the
finances of the international Brother
hood of Electrical Workers Local No.
3, Of which William A. Hogan, the
financial secretary, is the guiding
spirit. 1t was shown that other unions
besides the electrical group, such as
the Tile Settlers Helpers organization,
also kept its membe ership down and re-
quired onmembers to obtain permit
cards at So a week, granting them the
privilege of working in the city.
Four officials Of the electrical work
ers' brotherhood refused to sign
waivers of immunity when called ia
the witness stand, and all but one of
them-Josep Lawler, the treasurer
we're excused. William J. Walsh, the
Continued on pasc fcurreen>