The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-04-18
De rs
To HOLD
LINES
FIRM
Contracts to Be Withheld From
Those Who Meet Union
Demand

II
Coincident with the disappear
ance Of definite hopes for con-
ference to adjust the painters
union strike in q cloud Of con-
fusion, the Operative Builders
Association today made good its
threat to withhold contracts from
sub-contractors who accede to the
unions wage demands.
Memorandum Sent.
Al memorandum was sent to all
members OF the association today.
over the signature Of Rufus 81
Lusk, executive secretary, stating:
"............ (namel. 8 painting
contractor, who does considerable
work for our members, has signed
a contract with the Painters Union
to pay his men SO a day.
Amy member in need Of q paint
ing contractor, who pays wages
within the rates approved by this
association. can be supplied with
one Immediately by telephoning this
office
This action against one contrac.
tor is the first to be undertaken
by the builders organization, and
is q forecast OF that body's policy
in dealing with sub-confractors who
grant the unions demand.
Conflicting RumOrs
~. -
was the first important develop
ment in a day full of conflicting
verbal reports and rumors.
The proposed Monday conference
of the fair wage committee, repre-
sentatives Of employing painters and
the painters union became less
probable with every hour.
John B. Colpoys, Department Of
Labor conciliator, conferred with
William r. Galliher, fair wage com.
mittee chairman, and William j.
Gallagher, international organizer
of the painters union, during the
forenoon and apparently had ar
ranged conference for Monday at
10 o'clock.
Mr.. Gallagher, however, informed
Mr. Colpoys that he could not at.
tend a Monday conference, he hav.
ing an important appointment at
Shenandoah, Md. He suggested
Wednesday.
The Operative Builders Associa-
ton, on learning of this, refused
to consider any other time except
that originally stated. Secretary
Lusk brought this news to Mr.
Galliher, who was expecting tele
phone call momentarily from Mr..
Gallagher.
Paying Strike Benefit.
The organizer was busily paying
off strike benefits to a long line
of union painters at Painters Hall,
Sixth and G. streets northwest, and
could not be called to the telephone
after his first talk with Mr.. Gal
laEher. Married strikers were draw
ing SO and single men got IS each.
Herbert Shannon, president Of the
Operative Builders Association, was
In conference with leaders through
out the day in connection with the
strike. He declared himself abso-
lutely against a further stay in the
time for the conference.
Both Mr.. Shannon and Mr.. CALI
her took the stand that the union
asking for the parley. In his tele-
phone conversation with Mr.. Gal
lagher. Mr.. Galliher stated that
Eve are willing to listen to you in
sofar as these matters affect a com
mon interest, but j scarcely think
that the builders will recede from
their present attitude in regard to
an increased wage"
Fair Wage Body to Meet.
A conference of leading members
of the fair wage committee, with
Edward Linskey, president of the
Master Painters Association, and
Arthur L. Smith, president OF the
Builders and Manufacturers Elk
change, was set for o'clock today.
At this meeting, it is likely that
final statement will be issued
on the strike situation.
The plumbers union increase and
other matters of minor importance
in the labor situation faded before
these major developments today.
The employing plumbers committee
is to confer with the fair wage com
mittee on Wednesday.