Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-07-11
Farley Sought
AsEngineers'
Spreads
300 More Workmen
Out; Building Council
Seeks Settlement

Disputants In the strike of unior
engineers, tying up $40, 600, 900 worth
of Government and private con.
struction at eight projects in thi.
area, sought to get together today
with the help of the Washington
Building and Trades Council, whose
members have refused to cross picket
lines.
More than 500 American Fedora.
ton of Labor workmen were in.
volved in the strike, which spread
today to the T. Calvin Owens Con.
struction Co.'S 100000 coloret
housing project in Lincoln Heights
Three hundred men who were al
work there before picket lines were
formed yesterday found three pickets
awaiting them today and declined tt
work.
John Locher, president of the
building council, said an effort was
being made to arrange a meeting
between the Master Builders Asso-
citation and Local % of the AFL In
ternational Federation of Technical
Engineers, Architects and Drafts
men. The MBA represents the
Harwood-Nebel Construction Co.
and John McShain, Inc, contractors,
against whom the engineers are
striking on seven projects.
Both Sides Asked to Meet.
The Cancellation effort grew out
of two meetings last night. At one,
the Building and Trades Council
recommended to a committee from
the master builders that they meet
with the engineers as soon as pos
sible to effect a settlement, Mr..
Locher said.
A committee from the council
then called on the engineers, who
were meeting in the Ambassador
Hotel. The engineers agreed to
meet with the contractors and to
terminate the strike as soon as the
meeting was arranged, Mr.. Locher
added.
He said that Randall Wyant, Sec
rotary Of the Master Builders Asso-
citation, was conducting poll
of members today to determine
whether they favored the discus
sions. Mr.. Locher predicted the
contractors would be reasonable and
agree to the meeting within the
next few days"
Mr.. Wyant said it was very likely
some decision would be made late
today by the Master Builders Ex-
ecutive Committee and there was a
chance the engineers would with
draw the picket lines, pending ne
gotiations.
Meanwhile McShain Co. officials
admitted today a complete shut
down for the second day of con-
struction at Georgetown University
Hospital here, a Navy Bureau OF
Yards and, Docks project at Airing
ton an Army Map Service. building
at Dalecarlia and a project at the
Bethesda Naval Hospital.
These projects alone were said tc
involve some $50 workmen and more
than,T$10 100000 in contracts.
Only Eight at Work.
At Fort Belvoir, where Harwood-
Nobel Co. Is constructing seven shop
buildings for the Army engineers
the company superintendent said
only eight roofers of a potential
force of $50 workmen we're on the
job. He could ascribe no reason
why the eight. also members OF
the Building Council, elected to
ignore the picket line.
Only a few men were working
at a s4,500, 900 project at Andrews
Field, Camp Springs, Nd, an Army
spokesman said. Construction OF
an administration building and per.
manent officers quarters was prac-
tically at a standstill.
One construction superintendent
said he had observed some "grum-
bling" among craftsmen working
for the McShain Co. They felt they
were being thrown out of work BY
"a handful of six engineers" 1T
said.
IF one craft should break tn,
picket lines, I think all would fol.
low" he said.
Strike Vote Challenged.
Sixteen votes were cast in tn,
strike poll taken by the engineer
Monday, but company officials insis
several of these we're by nonunior
engineers and company superintend'
ents. Union officials retaliated with
the statement that any engineers
union or nonunion, we're entitled t.
vote under terms of the election
conducted by the National Labol
Relations Board.
The result of that vote was eigh
ballots against strike, five for ant
three challenged.
The engineers union is seeking
recognition from the three contrac
tors involved In the dispute and /,
contract calling for wage adjust
ments, time and half for overtime
sick leaves and vacations with pay