The Washington times., 1925-12-19
BUILDERS FIGHT
WAGE JUMPS

The research bureau of G. L.
Miller and Company announced that
reports from practically all cities
and districts received indicate that
the labor situation was. fairly tran
quill, although employers generally
have declared their intention Of op.
posing any further demands. for
wage increases and the five-day
week.
Declaring that there is nothing
In the building outlook for the
coming year to warrant wage in
creases, representatives OF more
than 10000 building contractors, at
q recent national conference called.
by the National Association OF
Building Trades Employees In Chi
cago, unanimously decided to re.
sist any effort to boost wage scales
next spring. They declared the
five-day week economically unsound
and characterized it as an effort
by labor to 'tstiIl further create an
artificial labor shortage.
The conference also called on la
Dor Ito give the full measure OF
production within its capabilities, .
and eliminate restrictions from
arguments which add unnecessarily
TO the cost of building.
Unsettled in New York
The wage situation is somewhat
unsettled In New York city owing
to the demand Of thirty-seven Of
the fifty units OF the Building
Trades Council for wage increases
ranging from so cents to 81 a day.
Four trades have also asked the
five-day week.
Employers, in refusing these de-
mands, declare that granting them
would add more than 100000, 900
2 year to the cfty's building BILL
Labor contends that the increases
would merely absorb the bonuses
which have been paid in nearly all
trades, with bricklayers and plas.
terers in demand at IS to $50 e.
DAY or more. Both sides appear
conclatory in their attitudes and Il
Is anticipated that arbitration viii
prevent any serious interruption Of
building on January i, when the
majority OF present wage agree
meTits expire.
On the basis Of a total building
Dill of approximately $1,000, OO0. 600
Tor New York in the current wear.
the total payroll for building trades.
men, Il Is estimated, will approxi-
mate 1896, 000, 900, the largest
amount ever paid out in q single
year In any city in the world.
The five-day week agitation on
the part OF building labor has been
gaining some ground and promises
to become one OF, the main points
Of contention in new Agreements.
Among the cities which already
have some trades working on the
forty hour week basis are, Seattle.
Portland. Bridgeport, Conn. New
ark, Boston. New York. CafcaRo.
Philadefpllfa Buffalo and Provf.
dence, r. 4 The Painters Union
has announced that about SIS 900 Of
267 900 painters and panerhangers
of the country are working on the
five-day week basis.
Shortage Called Acute
Reports from the leading cities
indicated that the labor shortage
situation is probably more acute
than generally realized, especially
In the bricklaying and plastering
trades. Common labor, the aver
age wage rate of which is 81 cents
an hour for the entire country, ap-
pears sufficient.
Except in New York, Cleveland
and some of the larger cities. the
apprenticeship training system has
Of new mechanics. In New York,
1925 apprentices have been placed
since 1922, and 2,452 are now at
tending trade schools. In Cleve-
land, 1000 apprentices are at work
and in schools. In Pittsburgh, 100
apprentices are In training or at
work.
Cities reporting a shortage Of
building craftsmen in some trades,
especially bricklayers, plasterers
and tile settlers, were: New York,
Chicago, Hammond, Ind; Niagara
Falls, n. Y; Bridgeport, Conn;
Cincinnati, Ohio; Madison, Wis;
Springfield, Mass; Houston, Tex; 1
Harrisburg. Pa: st. Louis, Mo-;
Kansas City, Mo-; Wichita, Kan,
and New Haven, Conn.
On the other hand, sufficient la
Dor supply was reported by Detroit,
Cleveland, Los angeles, Denver,
Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Grand
Rapids. Portland, Ore; Tampa;
Providence, r. l.; Miami, Fla; Salt
Lake City, Seattle. Louisville, Knox
vile, Tenn.