Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-22
LABOR REPLY CITES
SHORTAGE IN WORK
Union Resolution Scores
tremendous Profits.
for Contractors.

Part-time unemployment of union
building trades workers, growing out OF
a Shortage of work in the District, is
cited as one reason for the increase In
wages ranging from 10 tf, 20 PEI cent
demanded by several building trades, in
a statement adopted By a group OF
about 100 idle building mechanics IN
reply to charges made by local con-
tractors and builders who are resisting
the pay boosts.
The resolution carried in the current
issue of the Trades UnioniSt, official
organ of the Central Labor Union IN
Washington, asserts the union building
trades worker has the right to an in
come sufficient to tide him comfortably
over periods of unemployment. The
statement also calls upon the president
of the Chamber If Commerce of the
United States to determine the neces-
sity of high financial charges" levied
against building operations and why
"such tremendous profits are taken out
of the industry as to enable men to
become millionaire5 in but compare
lively few years"
Resistance Discussed.
Adoption Of the resolution followed a
discussion by BUILDING trades workers
of resistance being offered by the con-
tractors to the demanded wage in
creases. During this discussion. accord
ing to the Trades Unionist. vehement
language" was used at times to convey
the feelings of the men with respect to
what they considered the "imperti-
nence" of the contract ors who had the
temerity to send a letter to President
(xraoY1 of tho Moderation of
Labor, seeking his Intervention in the
matter"
The resolution adopted by the group
of building trades workers follows:
Whereas the building industry in
Washington during the 7ast Is months
has been duller than during any similar
period since 1913, with more idle time
for the building tradesmen: and,
Whereas the living expenses of the
members, such as rents, food, fuel, in
surance and in many cases doctors
bills, have gone on from day to day with
no income from which to meet them,
little Or nothing having been spent for
recreation of any kind; and,
Whereas we have seen contractors
In few short years become millionaires,
reading in the daily press of their
spending vacations in Florida, and have
been caused to wonder whether they
were not taking more than their share
out of this industry; and,
Whereas the building tradesmen are
paid only for the actual time worked,
being docked for everv day it rains or
of inclement weather that will not per-
nit of building operations; and.
Whereas the time worked under
usual building conditions does not permit
of more than an average of eight
In bnI "a nf
wages thus being misleading to the gen.
ersl public: Therefore, be it
Resolved, That We condemn the
subtle attempts which are being made
to make it appear that the building
trades mechanics are unreasonable in
their demands and by such are retard-
ing or placing in jeopardy the contem-
plated building program of the city;
and
Resolved, That in order that the
building trades mechanics may enjoy
little of the pleasures of life for him
self and family; that his toll will pro-
duce a sufficient yearly income to en-
able him to live in a respectble and
comfortable home, provide enough
nourishing food to feed his family, give
protective insurance on his life in case
of death, have a reasonable amount OF
recreation for himself and family, own
a moderately priced automobile to take
his wife out of the drudgery of house
work at least once a week and clothe
himself and family with reasonable
change of raiment, and after these rea-
sonable requirements to be able to save
against the day when he will no longer
be able to toll for society and so that
he will not become public charge;
and,
Resolved, That we may be assured OF
this reasonable existence we call upon
the president of the United States
Chamber of Commerce to ascertain why
it is necessary fce such high financial
charges to be levied against building
operations; why such tremendous profits
are taken out of the industry as to en-
able men to become millionaireS in a
comparatively few years; why it is
necessary to maintain parasitical secre-
taries of contractors association who
apparently produce nothing but trouble;
why ways and means cannot be adopted
that will spread the building season
out over longer period of time instead
of crowding it into rush seasons, as now
is the practice; why the building trades
mechanic is supposed to remain at a
living standard the judge of which
The CONTRACTORS tEleIIlSSlNeS Wd1lb W NC.
why the yearly income of the building
mechanic cannot be sufficient tc prop
erly recompense him in proportion tc
the good which he renders society; why
he cannot be assured of being at al
times a potential consumer, and there
by help to keep going the wheels OF
industry which must be kept going II
we are going to maintain the prosperity
Of this country-for what viii it profit
manufacturers or society as whole tc
be able to produce cheaply in large
quantities if there are no customers fol
that which,, is produced; and. be il
further
Resolved, That we know and under
stand and appreciate that the only
means by which we can get a reason
able share in that which we produce
is through our economic trade unions
the only agency yet devised that works
at all times for not only our benefit
but for the benefit of the entire com
munity."
Work has begun on a hvdroelectrit