Evening star., 1926-04-03
STRIKERS CONDEMN.
DISTRICT OFFICIALS
Say They Are Rushing
Through Licenses for I'M
ported Non-union Men.

Denunciation of the Operative
Builders Association Of the District
Of Columbia as an organization is
contained in statement issued to-
day by F. J. Nichols, business agent
cf the local union of steam shovel
on strike for an increF Sc In wages
from SO to $l2 per dav.
His statement also attacks the Dis
trtct officials for lending themselves
on the side of oppression by rushins
through licenses for imported strike
breakers" >" The employing steam
shovel men have imported number
Of non-union men who are running
some of the shovels in place Of
striking union workers.
Justice in Demands.
Mr.. Nicholas states that the justice
Of the increase should ne realized he
cause the men have not had raise
for four years and thai Washington
is behind most cities in wage rates
for this trade. Many Of the builders,
he says, nave become mllllOndlreS anu
can afford an increase.
The statement reads in part:
we have a board for the purpose
of licensing steam engineers in the
District The custom Of this board for
wears has been to hold meetings every
Friday night 10 consider applications
for a license. In addition 70 technt-
cal and practical knowledge. the aprIi-
cant had to he vouched for as 10
moral character by three reputable
residents, and it took from one 10 two
weeks for the applicant 10 learn
whether he had passed the eNamlns
tion.
This board is now turning out en-,
cineers' licenses on the spur of the
moment at the behest Of our unfan
contractors and they are vouChinG for
the integrity and moral character OF
strikebreakers whom they have never
seen before We not only condemn
this unfair method being employed,
but believe it contrary to the hest IN
terests of the public. as the danger
Of loss of life from the blowing up Of
q boiler in the hands of inCompete7ts
was responsible for the passage of the
law creating the licensing board
Won't BE Browbeaten."
Our men on strike have proved
their competency and are now asking
only that which is fair aud just.
They are very sorrH To cause any ces-
sation of building work. hut they will
not be browheaten with threats of
withdrawal Of funds should this in
crease be granted. We will not allow
them to dictate to US how we should
live, which is what they are attempt
ing to dc.
we ask that these builders who
try TO throw dust in the eyes OF the
public with regard to our demands
for just increases. tell the nuhlic
what they paid in income taxes during
the past few wears. ana We will allow
the public to render its verdict as to
the business of our claim for the in
crease
Claims Disagree.
Union officials still maintain that so
per cent Of THEW men, particularly
the hoistinE engineers, have received
the increase and are at work. The
employers. however. state that 20 Der
cent of their shovels are now running
with non union men, and that by the
first Of next week they will have =
per cent OF their shoveis running.
The eXcavstinr EMPLOYERS II q
statement today declared thai tha
union steam shovel runners make
more than any other mechanics on
the job, their average wage being from
&65 to $50 ner week.
The builders supporting the eXca
waiting employers state that granting
the wage increase 10 one trade means
meeting the demands Of four or five
other trades that have requested in
creases ana will mean ais" a conaid-
srable raise in The cost If construc-
ton here
There is much talk about the Other
trades going out in support of the
union steam shovel engineers if tha
strike is not settled soon. and the i'm
portation Or non-uni0n labor from
Nfher cifiee cnntinllee-