Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-04-29
Both Prosecutor and Chief
Of Police Say New Liquor
Law Will Be Enforced
bU|L.DERSPLAN
To 0OPP0SE MEN
Outlook of StandstilI in Con-
struction Work as Both
Stand Firm in Demands.

All indications point to standstill
of the building trades in this city
beginning May 1 over the wage dis
rte which is now going on between
Building Trades Association,
Iposed of master builders, and
Building Trades Council, COM
ed of the various unions in the
lding trades. In times past it has
n the custom more or less for
,se two organizations to fight out
cir differences behind closed doors,
It today they are taking their fight
> the public and from present ap-
,,earances each will call upon the
public to side with them in the mat
ter.
About the first of May each year
the new agreement between the
union emp!oye and master builder IS
drawn up. On May 1 this year the
present agreement or wage scale
runs out and a new one has to be
made. The master builders have
refused to continue to pay the pres
ent rate of wages and demand that
all men employed in building trades
accept 81 a day less. Each union
has been so informed by the master
builders by whom they are employ
ed.
The unions have backed up on the
issue and refuse to grant a reduc-
ton. This brought forth reply
from the master builders that they
will not sign a new agreement at the
present rate of wage. The unions in
order to meet the issue have ar
ranged for a big mass meeting to be
held in the high school auditorium
in State street on Monday night. This
meeting was at first scheduled to be
held tomorrow night, but announce
ment was made yesterday of its post :
ponement until Monday. AT this
meeting the unions will endeavor to
prove that present living conditions
do not warrant a reduction in wages
at this time.
The master builders of this city
are not alone in their demands that
the wages be reduced, but have the
cooperation of the New Brunswick
master builders and the Roosevelt
master builders. The master build
ers point out that building at the
present time is at q standstill and
unless something is done to stimulate
building, nothing in this line will be
done for some time to come as peo-
pie will not build while the present
rate of wages continue. This lack
of building will continue the present
housing shortage. they allege, and
allow the landlords to continue the
existing high rents.
AT a recent meeting of the Build
ing Trades Association, the follow
ing resolutions were adopted:
Whereas, There exists today a
general depression throughout the
country incident to the period of de-
fation and readjustment through
which we are passing. and
Whereas, The master builders of
Perth Amboy In common with
builders in other important centers
are forced to adjust their prices
in order to build at prices consistent
with builders in other centers, and
Whereas The public attention all
over the country has recently been
centercd on many sensational feat
ures of the building situation, and
Whereas. The public are now de-
handing lower costs on building and
to meet the public demand for a
readjustment in building costs. and
Whereas; Building material has
been reduced considerable, and
Whereas, 1t is our firm
opinion that is the full duty of ev-
cry American citizen to realize his
responsibility for backing every
mea1>re possible that will assist in
stimulating building in Perth Am =
boy and. correcting the present
housing situation that now exists.
Be it resolved, That the Build
ers Association of Perth Amboy
protest against the present attitude
of the building crafts of Perth Am
bov and demand a readjustment In
their wages by May /, to the end
that building be stimulated and the
present housing shortage and dis
tress that naturally exists due to
high rents be corrected and bring
about a more equitable distribution
(Gntnt mail IN