Evening star., 1925-03-25
DEMANDS DROPPED.
BY STONECUTTERS.
Painters Also Willing to Me-
gotiate as Strike Threatens.
Will Explain Stand.

While the possibility of an exten-
sive building strike in Washington is
still at a critical stage, the tension
was somewhat relieved today by the
announcement of William Mcleod,
president of the Master Masons Asso-
citation, that the Stone Cutters Union
would sign up the same contract now
prevailing and abandon their demand
for an, increase of from $40 to S11
per day.
The officials of the Painters Union,
which is scheduled to strike with the
paperhangers April 8, also held forth
a. possibility Of some adjustment by
declaring today that they were still
open to further discussion. The
painters and paperhangers unions,
comprising about 1000 men, were
Yesterday refused an increase of from
S. to $40 per day by the Master
Painters Association, which employs
men from both unions.
Statement in Prospect.
While the builders and many sub
contractors have stated that they will
not grant further increases, the
unions, despite many executive con-
ferences. are remaining practically
silent. Officials of the painters union
the first of the four building trades
organizations demanding an increase
TO set "A strike date, said today that
they will issue a statement, probably
within the next two weeks. explain
ing their attitude. 1t is understood
that this statement will be designed
to prove that it is not the building
trade mechanics nor their demand for
increased wages that are adding to
the cost of buying homes or creating
the possibility of any increase in
rents. There is an opinion among a
large number of the union men that
those who are opposing the present
request for wage increases are mis-
leading the public as to the results
of such demands.
The Operative Builders Association
of the District backed by the Wash
ington Real Estate Board the Wash
ingtOn Association of Building Owners
and Managers and a number of prom
inent financial and business men of
the city, feel, however, they can show
Just how the cost of labor has gem
orally added to the difficulty of
cheaper construction. The operative
builders, on the basis of statistics
they have gathered, state that pend
ing demands by the unions will add
cost of Sl,000,000 to this years
construction, if granted
New Demands Loom.
Added to the wage increases now
demanded by the plumbers. painters,
paperhangerS and stonemasons is
the demand of the mill workers of
the carpenters union for an increase
of from SS to 50 per day. The master
associations, with the exception of
the plumbers, have refused these de-
mands.
1t is understood. also, that the
steamfitters' union will demand an in
crease from $40 to S11 per day.
Whether or not the master associa-
tions of the plumbers and steamfit-
ters' trades will grant these increases
Is not known, but the operative build
ers have expressed their determine
tton not to employ any subcontractor
who grants such an increase, and
with the backing of a large portion
of the men who finance building
projects, will refuse larger loans to
cover any increased cost on the part
of a builder or subcontractor brought
about by increased wages. The gem
eral sentiment of those opposing the
wage increases seems to be that while
they do not desire any strikes or tie
ups, they are equally determined for a
SHOW w-down"
The painters union was not certain
today as to whether it's statement
would come from the entire Building
Trades Council or from the union
alone.