Evening star., 1959-11-21
Plan Would Help
Keep Non-Union
Firms Out of DC.
By CHARLES PIERCE
Star STAG Writer

Qulreo 10 let major contracts
as a single unit, rather than
breaking them up into several
small parts.
However, a District official
declared that such a system
would tend to restrict compe-
tition and result in higher
prices"
This proposal was made at a
private meeting with Senator
Bible, chairman Of the Senate
District Committee, in the
Senator's office.
An ofhcial present at the
conference later disclosed that
]. c. Turner, president Of the
Central Labor Concil, had sup
ported this proposal and that
some contractors representa-
tives had also spoken in favor
Previously Discussed
A reporter for The Star had
heard Mr.. Turner discussing
the advantages Of such a plan
before the closed meeting.
Supporters of the system
under which only lump sum
bids would be received re-
portedly feel that this would
reduce the opportunities for
non-union construction COM
panies to get Jobs.
Also, they contend, letting
only one contract for a project
would avoid the problem of
having union men work with
non-union men as could hap
pen on the Fourteenth street
bridge project.
However, Rexford @. Vessels.
District procurement officer.
when informed Of this proposal,
said that any such plan prob
ably would result in only the
large contracting companies
getting the major Jobs.
He added that a system Of
this type would squeeze out
some small union companies as
well as the non-union organi-
cations.
Il favor getting as much
competition as possible from re-
liable contractors" said Mr..
Vessels.
Those present at the meeting
with Senator Bible in addition
to Mr.. Turner included John
Holden, executive secretary of
the Building Trades Council.
Walter j. Mason, legislative
representative of the AFL-CIo:
r. A. Giles, president of the
Construction Contractors Coun-
Gil; r. C. Morauer, vice presi-
dent Of the Construction Con-
tractors Council; H. j. Night
linger, executive secretary of
the Construction Contractors
Council; Robert Meyer, chair
man Of the Labor Committee of
the Construction Contractors
Council. and Ancle Tester. a
representative of the Master
Builders Association.
Senator Bible responded to
the single unit contract pro-
proSal by suggesting that Mr..
Turner supply him with in
formation on whether this pro-
cedure is used in other cities.
The representatives of the
local construction industry also
proposed that legislation be
introduced which would require
successful contractors on Dis
trict jobs to pay fringe or sup
Elemental benefits as well as
the prevailing wage.
At present companies using
non-union men have an edge
in District bidding because
while they are required to pay
the prevailing wage, they do
not have to bear the cost of
deductions for union welfare
and pension funds.
Analysis Slated
Senator Bible said that he
would make an analysis of
these proposals. He added that
If legislation is needed well
move forward with it,"
These proposals stem from
the fact that the District Com.
miSsioners recently awarded a
contract to the Diamond Con-
struction Co. Of Savannah, Ga,
for construction Of the sub
structure of the new Fourteenth
Street Bridge.
Labor and contractor groups
here charge that this Southern
firm was able to submit the
lowest bid because it employs
non-union men.
The contract for the con-
struction OF the Superstructure
is expected to be made shortly
to Schact Steel Construction.
Inc, Of Hillside, N. j., an en-
ployer of union men.
Since building Of the sub
structure and the superstruc-
ture are normally tied together
there is a possibility that union
men would have to work with
non-union employees, a pros
pect extremely distasteful to
labor.