Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-09-24
Builders Warn
Union Work May
Halt

The Builders Association Of
Metropolitan Detroit will cease all
construction work in Wayne, Oak
land, and Macomb counties Unless
intimidation OF carpenters by lead
ers OF the Carpenters District
Council (AFL) is halted and law
and order restored. Edmund II.
kaufman. executive vice president
of the association. declared today.
In letter sent TO Acting Mayor
John w. Smith and Gov. Murray
ID. Van Wagner. Kuhlman pro-
tested against the union tactics
and said that there will be no APP
plications for new building per-
mits, work will halt on all buildings
except those beyond the basement
stage OF construction, and that
wide unemployment will result.
WOULD EFFECT $1,000
kaufman said that every director
of the association was included IN
a group OF 80 of the largest build
erS in the three counties TO whom
strike notices have been sent.
These 80 builders put up
about 20 per cent Of all the
houses built in the area" Kuhl-
man said. "A general stoppage
OF work would effect about So
900 employees Of the 5l4 members
of the association"
Kuhlman said that in negotia-
tons with the carpenters the
question of wages, hours, and
working conditions was settled. but
that the union then demanded a
closed shop. The association re-
fused 10 grant the demand, he
said, and negotiations ended.
RIGHT TO STRIKE
I'VE don't deny their right to
STRIKE Kuhlmsn said. hut they
won't call n strike because they
haven't got enough union men,
bers on the Jobs 20 make the
strike effective. The non-union
workers would 70 through the
picket lines and finish the Jobs"
In his letter Huffman said that
there was a breakdown OF law and
order in Detroit and adjacent areas
and that in the past week certain
groups presumed 10 represent a
section Of organized labor have
been riding the streets threatening
and intimidating building me-
chanicS and driving them off their
Jobs in casual and inSolent def
ance OF alleged local law and
order"
Men have been forced to cease
working on about . building jobs
he said.
MEETING TODAY
lie said the associations mem
bership viii meet in the Hotel
Statier Monday night TO decide
whether 10 60 on with construction.
Smith conferred with kaufman
and William j. Guinan, executive
director OF the association. and
Police Commissioner Frank d.
EsmaI1 upon receipt OF the letter.
Eaman Indignantly denied that
there was any breakdown in the
maintenance OF law and order.
we cant use the pollcc de-
partment rs q strike breaking
agency In any dispute" he said.
I'VE won't use them 20 settle
the labor problems Of manage
ment. III spccifSc instances Of
violence occur and the police are
called they will respond.
I'VE don't have enough Off
Gers TO guard every house being
built and We wouldn't IL we
could. Furthermore. we can't
chase every car that you build
ers suspect might contain some
labor leaders who YOU think are
bent on intimidating your en-
ployes."
CHARGES POLICE LAXITY
Guinan said the police had been
called and did not respond.
Give me specific dates, times,
and places. and I'll find out
about H." said Eaman.
Guinan, promised 10 submit the
facts TO Eaman and the confer
ence ended.
kuhlman's letter stated that his
association would refuse 10 meet
with any organized labor leader
affiliated with the ALL unless
these unlawful. idating
squads are withdrawn from the
streets Of Detroit and adjacent
areas"
IF this action Il taken" the
letter continued. "the Builders
Association viii meet with the
duly authorized leadership Of the
AFL building Trades Council 10
negotiate n general agreement
covering their membership In all
crafts. ON an open shop basis
only"