Evening star., 1934-09-29
CATA[AN0 To HIRE
N0N-UN|0N LABOR
Contractor to Resume Work
on Library Tunnel De-
spite Union Strike.

With union labor on strike at the
new tunnel project connecting the
Library of Congress with its annex
across the street, the contractor. D.
Catalano & Son, plans to use nom
union labor and proceed with the
job Monday.
Organized labor went on strike
Thursday and yesterday Catalano ar
ranged to hire non-union labor. He
promised today that all would be in
readiness to 60 ahead full force Mon
day. with one steam shovel and feet
of trucks and workmen to dig the
tunnel. The tunnel is an under
ground service connection between the
old building and the one now under
constr uction.
Union labor has been opposed to
Catalano ever since the firm was
charged with "kick-back" on the
Phelps Trade School. Labor protested
TO the office of David Lynn, architect
of the Capitol. against award of the
contract for the tunnel to Catalano
McCarl Gave Decision.
Lynn submitted the whole matter
to Controller General McCarl for de-
cision. McCarl was told about the
"kick-back" controversy over Cata-
lano, who had been ordered by the
District authorities to refund the
amount of the alleged "kick-back" to
his Workmen on the school.
McCarl said in his decision that
the controversy over the "kick-back'
did not disqualify Catalano as low
bidder, and said the contract should
be awarded to him. Lynn conse-
ouently awarded the contract. at
S467 700.
In his decision. McCarl said the
fact the firm had had controversies
which resulted in hearings before
District of Columbia officials, and a
requirement. met by the contractor
that there be paid TO such employees
SUFFICIENT amount to bring their pay
ment up to the amount required by
the prevailing wage law does not
render D. Catalano & Son an un-
qualified contractor for the perform
ance of the work"
Board to Get Complaint.
John Locher, secretary of the Wash
ington Building Trades Council, SAID
today the situation at the tunnel Will
come before the executive board OF the
council Monday morning.
Locher charged that in view OF the
"kick-back" record of Catalano he
should be barred from further public
contracts and organized labor had
made vigorous protest to this effect tc
the ONCE of the Architect of the Capt.
tol. The case not only came before
District officials, where Catalano was
ordered to repay the men, Locher said
but had been laid before the Senate
Labor Committee in its investigation
of the "kick-back."
When the tunnel job started, Cata-
lano. through q subcontractor, put tc
work a union steamshovel operator
but when the union discovered non
union men we're working on the same
lob. union leaders conferred with Cata-
lano. asking him to use union men
throughout. Locher said Catalano re-
fused and walked out of the confer
ence.
Will Use Non Union Labor.
Then organized labor went on strike
and Catalano replied by putting on all
nom union labor.
Catalano said he intended to &c
ahead with non-union labor obtained
from the United States Employment
Service, and plans to complete the
job with such labor. He said the
specifications in his contract called
for getting labor from the United
CT aias Enanlounnenf Service