Evening star., 1925-04-19
STRIKE MEDIATION
| SEEMS HOPELESS
ColpoyS Unable to Get Paint
erS and Fair Wage Commit
tee in Conference.

After two weeks of strategic moves
on the part of representatives of the
building contractors and the local
unions, the labor situation today re-
mains in a complete deadlock SO far
as any settlement is concerned
The fight has been bitter, drastic
steps have been taken by both sides
and plans are now being laid for
further moves. With the attempts
of John Colpoys, United States con-
ciliator. to bring about a meeting in
the painting controversy virtually as
sured of failure, the next few days
will involve the question as to wheth-
er the plumbers and steamfitters will
be drawn into the controversy.
May Publish Bank List.
This week may see the publication
of the list of labor banks as decided
upon by the Central Labor Union and
the decision before Wednesday by the
master plumbers as to whether they
will grant the increase demanded by
their craftsmen. The master steam
filters have practically said they will
follow the action of the master plumb
ers. The fair-wage committee meets
tomorrow to make further plans to
consolidate it's position and to hear
representatives of the painters if they
should change their mind and decide
to come into conference.
Committee Stands Firm.
At a meeting late yesterday after
noon the fair wage committee decided
II would not meet the painters at any
other time than 10 am. tomorrow.
The committee pointed out that it did
not seek conference, but declared it
consented to hear the requests of the
painters at the suggestion of Mr.. Col
poys. W.. j. Gallagher, International
organizer of the painters, however,
will be out of town. The fair wage
committee considered that, too, and
notified Mr.. Colpoys last night it would
meet at the City Club at the time
designated and at no other time. Mr..
ColpoyS later said that the union
painters would not be present at the
meeting. This seems to remove the
meeting as a factor for settlement.
The only chance left is that Arthur
might attend, but as Gallagher is in
charge of the strike there is prac-
tically no chance of this.
Attitude Is Explained.
Following the meeting, William T.
Galliher, chairman of the citizens
fair wage committee, made the fol
lOWInS statement.
Due to the intervention on the part
of John Colpoys, United States con-
cilitator, in hopes that conferences
might adjust the differences between
the building interests of Washington
as indicated by the strike now in pro-
EreSS by the union painters and
paperhangerS, meeting was decided
upon for Monday at 10 am, and Mr.
ColpoyS was so advised.
THE union painters and paperhang-
ers, represented through their proper
officials, indicated their inability or in
disposition to meet on Monday, seek.
ing a further continuance of the meet
ing until Wednesday.
THE employers in a conference to-
day decided that the time and place of
the meeting will remain as first fixed
by the committee, namely, at 10 am.
Monday at the City Club, at which
time the committee will be glad to
hear representatives of labor" -
The fair wage committee will meet.
and if none of the representatives of
the local union painters attend, the
discussion will continue in regard to
the business of the committee, it was
said.
Plan for Shops.
When Gallagher. organizer for the
paperhangers as well as painters, re-
turns to Washington on Tuesday,
further efforts will be made to COM
plete the organization of union paint
er and paperhangers shops. Esti-
majors will be chosen and equipment
will be purchased so that they will be
ready to mSet any call. Several small
jobs have already been obtained and
money appropriated for the support
OF the shops.
While Mr.. Colpoys admitted last
night that settlement seemed hopeless,
he indicated that he will still work
to bring the two sides together.
There are only two things that can
happen, either that 1t becomes long
drawn-out affair to be ended by the
employers signing over one by one
the union men being replaced by non
union men, or the quicker and more
sensible way of getting together and
listening to one another" said Mr..
Colpoys.
There are many questions on both
sides, but meanwhile the city is suf-
fering," declared Mr.. Colpoys, in out
lining plan for closer co-operation