New-York tribune., 1921-12-29
Unions Give in
To Untermyer
On Some Points
Frayne Declares Agreemen.
Is Possible If Industrial
Court or Incorporation Is
Not Included in Program
Will Consult Him To-day
Three Practices Complained
of Can Be Eliminated at
Once, Leader Announces

Officials of building trades and other
unions met yesterday at the Hotel Con-
tinental at the call of Hugh Frayne to
consider the eighteen reforms re-
euestsd by Samuel Untermyer, counsel
for the Lockwood committee, in his let
TER Of December 10.
II was decided, according to Mr..
Frayne, that if Mr.. Untermyer was not
aiming at the Incorporation of unions
or the establishment of an industrial
court, an agreement probably could be
reached. On those two points. Mr..
mise, organized labor being unalterably
opposed TO them.
At least three of the most important
OF the objectionable practices" re-
ferred to in Mr. Untermyer's letter
could be eliminated without question,
Is was said AS to others it may be
necessary to take the questions before
Individual unions. The labor leaders
will talk matters over with Mr.. Inter
myer in his Office to-day.
The three points in which the de-
mands of Mr.. Untermyer are expected
to be met are:
The removal OF unreasonable restric-
tions on membership in the building
trades unions, by which the number of
workmen is arbitrarily prevented from
growing.
The limiting of initiation fees-a
maximum of $50 in any union being
suggested, which is half of Mr.. Inter
myers Recommendation of $50. The
committee is, however, in favor of high
er dues.
The application of all funds paid for
permit cards, which are cards issued
to non-union members permitting them
to work at their trades. to the initia-
ton fee if the worker is taken into
the union.
On the subject of apprentices, the
age limit for which Mr.. Untermyer
said should be raised to twenty-five
years, Frayne said it was a matter for
consideration at national labor con-
vention, but that the unions could not
be expected to permit a man of twen-
ty-five to work for boys wages, or to
have boys crowded out of the trades
by unframed men.
Frayne also expressed the opinion
that the building trade employers and
employees should come to agreement
without Outside interference"
Action on Mr.. Untermyer's arbitra-
tion plan, which provides for two
year contract and retention of the
present wage scale during 1922, was
taken by the board of governors of
the employers association at a meet
ing held at the Builders Club, 50 West
Thirty third Street. The move setting
,t aside in favor of resubnssion of
the employers plan to the union was
unexpected
Arbitration Board
The employers plan provided for ad-
justment of the existing differences
by an arbitration board to be composed
OF one representative from each of five
organizations. the Building Trades
Council, the American Federation of
Labor, the Merchants Association, the
New York Chapter Of the Institute of
Architects and the State of New York
Governor Miller to name a represen-
tatire). While not rejecting. it, the
Building Trades Council made conn-
ter proposal favoring board OF the
old composition. an equal number or
employers and workers representa-
tves and an impartial umpire. Deel-
sion or this by the employers is still
held in allegiance.
The employers did not fatty reject
MIR. Untermyer's plan yesterday, nor
even table it, The official explanation
OF what happened to it, given by
Christian P Norman, chairman OF the
board of governors, was that because
of extraordinary conditions IN the plan,
in that the wage rates were continued
IN all trades for 1922. the board de-
cidsd to refer The matter to its com
ponent trade associations. which viii
report back to the board concerning 1t
for the next board meeting, which Wall
be held in week or ten days"
(Which means" it was unofficially
explained by another source, that Mr.
Untermyer's plan has been given the
chill December air for the time beng,
and FOR all time ii possible, but with a
string still attached to it. so that 1t
might be hauled back in the event of
an emergency Neither side has any
especial liking for it. despite the union
acceptance of it."
In Strategic Position
By its action yesterday. it was
pointed out, the employers stand in
the strategic position of not being
definitely committed to any of the
three arbitration plans but their own,
but enabled to accept or reject either
the proposition of the unions or or Mr..
Untemyer in the event that later cir
cumstances may arise causing the ad-
visibility of such course.
On the other hand, the workers, by
the unanimous vote of the Building
Trades Council delegates, are conmt
ted exclusively to the plan of Mr.. I'm
termyer. II was said last night by
Patrick ]. Crowley. president of the
council, that the unions would continue
TO support the Untermyer proposal III
accordance with their acceptance OF it.
However. a strong bid for union
change of heart is made in letter
sent last night by Samuel B. Donnelly,
secretary of the employers association,
asking for reconsideration of the em-
ployers' plan. Assuring the workers
that present wage scales will be paid
up to January I. the letter ends:
We think that il we all work
hard and in the proper spirit an arbi-
tration can be concluded within thirty
days"