The New York herald., 1921-12-29
Arrangement Reached to
Continue Schedules I'm
til January 81.
ARBITRATION REJECTED
Real Estate Board Says Hous-
ing Emergency Has
Passed.

The board OF governors of the Build
ing Trades Employers Association
while not accepting in it's entirety
Samuel Untermyer's compromise plan
for two year agreement with the
Building Trades Council by which the
efficiency of labor should determine
whether existing wage scales continue
throughout 1922, voted yesterday to
extend the existing agreement at least
till January 81 next. The prospect of
an immediate strike in the building
trades when the present agreement
expires next Saturday therefore is
averted.
Mr.. Untermyer's plan encountered
two big obstacles when it came UP
for consideration at yesterdays meet
ing of the employers at 80 West
Thirty-third street. The board of gov
ernors did not. in the first place, feel
justified in binding the constituent as
sociations to Mr.. Untermyers idea of
iabor's efficiency determining it's re-
ward. The idea was not rejected. 1t
report called for within a week.
Wages for UnskiIIed Labor.
The second rock on which the nego-
tiations temporarily foundered was a
we'll defined reluctance OH the part of
the employers to agree to a continuance
Of the existing wage scales in the case
-
was pointed out by Christian G. Nor
man, chairman Of the board. that the
advance III pay for this class Of labor
since the war had averaged about 1870
per cent, while for skilled labor the
average advance had been about SO per
cent. A majority Of the board felt that
while continuance of present rates for
bricklayers. masons, plasterers, car
penters and other skilled workers might
be justified, particularly If greater eff
cheney were to result, the time had
come when unskiled labor should ac-
cept slight reduction.
Despite the divergent views of the
employers and the Building Trades
Council on these two features OF the
proposed plan the opinion was general
in both quarters last night that a satis-
factory adjustment would be reached
before January 81. Mr.. Untermyer
said that he did not regard the failure
OF the employers to accept the plan at
once is a breakdown of the negotia-
tions, and Patrick j. Crowley, president
OF the Building Trades Council, re-
peated what he said last week-that
everything would come out all right in
the end
For an Arbitration Board.
Council Mr.. Norman. on behalf of the
employers, said he regretted that the
council had not seen At to accept the
employers suggestion for an arbitration
board of five members, one to be Sc
lected by the president of the American
Federation Of Labor and one each by
the Governor of the State of New York,
he Merchants Association. the Ameri-
can Institute OF Architects and the
president of the Chamber of Commerce
&c the state of New York. He urged
;he council to reconsider this sugges-
ton. Mr.. Crowley said last night, how
ever. that this would never be accept
sb'c To the labor unions for the reason
that they felt II would mean labor s
representation on such board would
be only in the ratio Of one to four.
Mr. Norman was asked concerning
Mr.. Untermyer's demand that his or
ganization rid itself OF the services OF
Samuel b. Donnelly, secretary, whom the
Lockwood committees lawyer charges
with responsibility for most of the
practices of the employers association.
Mr.. Norman's reply was that he re-
garded Mr. Untermyer's request as of a
more or less personal character; that
Donnelly was an efficient man and
would be retained In office.
Views OF Real Estate Board.
Mr.. Untermyer made public letter
received by the Lockwood committee
from the Real Estate Board of New
"'ork urging that before the committee
,.akes report to the Legislature urging
q renewal of the emergency rent laws
I fortify itself with da Ia from respon-
sible sources It is the contention of the
Real Estate Board, as outlined in its
etter, tha. the housing emergency has
passed. Mr.. Untermyer replied that the
ommittee held contrary belief and
suggested that the board supply him
with such evidence In It's possession as
will support its contention. After point
ing out that the emergency housing and
rent laws Involve the widest departure
from previously accepted economic doc
trines" the Real Estate Board. through
its president, Charles g. Edwards, says
I'VE do not think II proper that yor
should go before the Legislature with a
report urging the renewal OF the So
called landlord and tenant legislation un-
less as q part of your report. you are
In a position TO set forth the exact facts
with reference to housing conditions as
they now exist; such facts having been
ascertained. not from loose and general
statements made to you from prejudiced
sources but by carefully planned and
carefully executed investigation II you
wish our assistance in this matter we
shall be glad TO cooperate"
Mr.. Untermyer's Reply.
To this communication Mr.. Untermyer
replied: