Evening star., 1939-08-20

More than 300 plumbers are sched-
uled to go on strike tomorrow in a
city-wide Walkout, further compli-
eating Washington building con-
struction program already brought
almost to standstill by the week.
old sand and gravel tieup, The Star
learned last night.
Ernest S. OFT, business agent for
the Plumbers Union, Local No. 5,
said conference was held yester-
day between representatives of the
Master Plumbers Association, lead
ers of the International Union Of
Journeymen Plumbers and Steam
Filters and local officials, after men,
bers of the local had voted in favor
of the strike last Wednesday.
Work will cease Monday Mr..
OFT said the joint conference de-
cided. only few small jobs under
way with contractors who have
signed satisfactory union contracts
will continue"
Mr.. OFT explained that the union,
OH hllICllS lSdil dllOll Vi bdDOl
affiliate, is asking 81 per day in
crease over the $l2 wage, which
has prevailed for 10 years"
Federal Projects Affected.
Plumbing work on all Federal
projects and most of the major mu-
nicipal and private construction
will cease, Mr.. OFT said.
An agreement between the union
and the Plumbers Guild, an or
ganization of plumbing contractors.
expired August l, guild official
explained earlier, and negotiations
for renewal have been in progress
since June !.
Mr.. OFT said most of the men have
been notified of the strike decision
of the conference and that he will
dispatch letter to the Conference
Board of the guild today explaining
the action of the union and agree
! ing to meet for further negotiations
at the guilds convenience"
A general walkout of plumbers
will complete the virtual halting
of building construction, already
! slowed by the sand and gravel tieup,
as their work must progress from
the foundation up along with the
rest of the construction.
The international organization
was represented at yesterdays con-
ference by Michael Garrett. general
organizer, and Thomas E. Burke,
secretary and treasurer of the inter-
national union.
Mr.. OFT explained that contracts
already signed with individual con-
tractors will be abrogated if they
are not in accord with the general
agreement with the guild. when, and
if, the latter is completed.
Smoot Peace Sought.
Meanwhile, the Labor Department
conciliation service continued to
work overtime in an effort to put
the 200 striking employees of the
Smoot Sand & Gravel Co. back on
the job. at least temporarily, to re-
lieve the concrete material shortage
which has tied up work on millions
of dollars worth of Federal and
District construction projects and
made idle hundreds of workers
throughout the city.
A favorable adjustment was an
ticipated within the next few days
after company officials and nego-
tiators for the striking Local No.
22075 of the Sand and Gravel Work.
Irs' Union. also an A. F. of L. affil-
late, indicated qualified approval of
temporary back-to-work agree
ment yesterday.
Such an agreement has been
sought in conferences with nego-
tiators by Howard T. Colvin. Labor
Department conciliator, who said last
night that prospects are much
brighter for an early settlement OF
the dispute
Mr.. Colvin conferred separately
yesterday with union leaders and
(See STRIKE, Page A-lOD