Twin city review. [volume] (Champaign, Ill.) 19??-1929, 1922-08-11
BUILDING TRADES
HEADS UPHOLD
lands AWARD

Labor places the principle of arbitra-
ton above monetary considerations in
the settlement of industrial disputes
IS shown by the report of the special
committee that has been investigating
the Chicago building trades situation
as il relates to the Lands wage
award of last fell. This committee is
composed of sixteen international
presidents of the crafts affected. 1t
was appointed by the recent conven-
ton of the American Federation of
Labor and has been busy ever since.
conducting hearings and making a
thorough examination of The entire
Chicago B. T. muddle.
The committee i'm a report that
sounds the knell of "Frenchy" Nader
as boss of the Chicago building trades
upholds the Lands award in prae-
tically every particular. The report is
the strongest and most uncompromis-
ing condemnation of bad faith ever
issued under similar circumstances
and declares that the Lands award
must be lived up TO in letter and
spirit under penalty of forfeiture of
the Chicago Building Trades councils
charter
The inquiry which the union COM
mittee conducted was in accordance
with resolution recommending such
action adopted at the convention of
the American Federation Of Labor In
/ Cincinnati on June 10. The COM
mittee was composed of sixteen inter
national presidents of the various
building trades unions with John
Donlin of Chicago as chairman. Only
one of the sixteen dissented from the
decision of the majority.
The report, which is addressed to
William ]. Spencer, secretary of the
A. +. of l.. at Washington, states
that there may be some extenuating
circumstances in connection With the
painters union, which has been one
of the strongest opponents of the
Lands award. 1t is pointed out thai
Judge lands himself placed them
beyond the pale of his decision.
The committee sets forth its find
ings in part as follows:
at finds chaos and confusion effect
ing the every day working life Of the
rank and file. 1t finds at least two
separate and distinct wage rates; ii
finds uncertain and varying working
conditions; it finds union and non
union men sharing the same opera
ton; it finds crystaliZed public opin-
ion, extremely strong in utterance
and action against the Chicago Build
ing Trades council.
"All of this finds origin in the fail
ure of the Chicago Building Trades
council to meet and fulfill its moral
obligation as regards its arbitration
agreements and the award Of its
chosen arbiter-Judge Lands.
"Your committee takes this oppor-
tunuity of emphasizing the fact that
all subordinate buildings trades eoun-
ellis must understand that the build
ing trades department and its affili-
ated international organizations prac-
tice and uphold the basic princiles
of conciliation, mediation, and arbi-
tration, and that at all times, and
most particularly in the present time
of industrial unrest and turmoil, we
must squarely meet the responsibility
we assume in the issuance Of char
ters, whereby we underwTite the OBJ
servance of fair dealing and sanctity
of trade agreement, those indispens-
able assets of our institution, with
out which we would cease to have
reason for existence and rapidly de-
cay.
''Your committee has, through the
medium of local union hearings, the
perusal Of arbitration agreements and
first hand information, come to the
only decision that can, in its opinion,
solidify the Chicago building trades
labor movement and make possible
future harmonious contractual rela-
tons between employers and en-
ployes, in addition TO elevating the
Chicago Building Trades council 70
that high community position it must
necessarily hold should it be DESTROYS
of winning the confidence and re-
spect Of all the elements comprising
the industrial and civic life of Chi
cago.
"Your committee decides that the
Chicago Building Trades council be
reorganized in such manner as TO in
sure its fumctioning composed ex-
clusively Of affiliated local unions rec
ognizing the lands award.
Your committee further wishes to
record that much can be said in ex-
tenuation for the position assumed
by the painters, among which may be
mentioned the statement Of Judge
lands declaring them to be non
party to his award"
A copy of the committees finding
was sent to the Chicago Building
Trades council and probably viii
come up before that body for action
at its next meeting. Should the eoun-