In order to create a break in the ranks of the material dealers, who
were bravely supporting the Master Masons, the strikers circulated a
report that permits for the purchase of building materials would only be
issued to members of the Master Masons' association. When the attention
of President Downey was called to the fact he said with considerable
earnestness:
"It is not so. I can not understand how such an impression got out,
as there has been no thought of making or enforcing such a rule.
There is no disposition on the part of the executive committee to
take such action and there never has been. The fact is that more
permits for material have been issued to builders who are not
members of the Master Masons' association than have been issued to
members. All that is required of an applicant for a permit is that
he will agree to abide by the code of principles and the rules
adopted and sign the card which has been prepared setting forth
these facts."
The only discrimination made by the executive committee was in its
positive refusal to issue permits to small contractors or jobbers who
were members of the Bricklayers' and Stonemasons' union. They were told
that when they resigned from the union and brought evidence of the fact,
and agreed to the code of principles and the rules, they could have all
the material they wanted.