The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-04-08
{ EMPLOYER
To MEET
RAISE
Break in Contractors Ranks
Causes Jubilation in
Union Circles

The first break in the painters
strike came today.
Thomas II. Reid. 1416 F street
northwest, ex-president of the
Master Painters Association,
signed up at the unions terms
Of $40 a day.
The news caused jubilation at
headquarters of the painters
union and brought forth an en-
tireIy different reaction from the
employing painters, most of whom
today advertised for men, offer
ing So a day, which is 81 less
than the new scale adopted by
the union since Monday.
Finds Plentiful Supply.
According to Edward Linskey,
president Of the Master Painters
Association, there seems to be a
plentiful supply of painters and
paperhangers in the city who are
willing to work for So a day.
Minor J. Click, secretary Of the
Painters Union, said that 40 per
cent of the membership is still
working in Washington, while hun
dreds more have gone to New York,
Atlantic City and Pittsburgh. where
the scales are even higher than the
new rate here.
At the headquarters of the Gen.
trail Labor Union, approximately
twenty replies have been received
ho nh NIB hnd
asked by the central body whether
the financial institutions of the city
were leagued with the builders in
q plan to refuse loans TO contractors
who paid union wages.
Registered Letters Sent.
1t was explained today that
fifty letters had Oeen sent to the
banks by the Central Labor Union.
under registered mail, and a return
receipt was requested in each case.
The general tenor of the replies
will not be made known until all
the return receipts have been de-
livered to Central Labor Union
headquarters. 720 Sixth street north
wa8t.
1t was learned today that B. F.
Saul, II. L. Rust and a few other
prominent figures in local develop
ment projects, identified as much
with realty as with banking, had
agreed individually not to increase
the loans of contractors who needed
more money because OF the 10 per
cent raise in wages.
The berks of Washington, as a
whole. IT was stated, have never
committed themselves to concerted
action, pro or con, IN this matter.
contractors UnIfying
A determined effort is being made
today TO solidify the general con-
tractors of the city, so that they
may take a definite stand In the
labor trouble, present and prospec-
tive. Approximately fifteen have
openly declared they will resist the
increased wages asked by building
tradesmen, and IL was predicted to-
day that at least score would swell
the ranks OF the protesting con.
tractors by nightfall.
Union painters began their strike
Monday morning. The employers
gave the strikers until 4:3O O'Clock
yesterday afternoon to return to
work. They did not do So
The employers then met at 1910
M street northwest, talked of re-
placement of labor, and agreed to
advertise. They decided to pool
available workers and distribute
mem among the various shops.
Expect to Fill Gaps
There was little talk of drawing
on the non-union labor supply of
other cities. The employers think
they can fill many of the gaps
from the workers already in this
city.
A general reopening of the EN-.
ploying painters shops probably
win mean widespread picketlng by
the unions, but no definite infor.
nation is being given out.