The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-03-11
THE E1eHT-HoUR Law NULLIFIED.

on them depends It's success or iaiiure'
THE NEIGHBOUR Law NULLIFIED.
Congressman Seeing how the officials have
Fooled the worungmsn-The Hours Of La
Dor on the New Post ONCE.
The investigation into the violation of
the Eight-hour law on the new Post Office
was conducted yesterday in Superintendent
Hulburd's office Memorials we're sent in
1872 and 1873 10 President Grant, Secre-
tary Boutwell,, Secretary Richardson, and
other public officers in Washington, by
employees on the Post Office, asking for a
reduction of the time An order to reduce
the time was sent by the Secretary in
Washington 20 Superintendent HulbuTd
on May 30, 1872. The workingmen, through
the Workingmen's Central Council, com
planned to Congress that the order had
not been fully obeyed. Mr.. Cox's resolu
ton TO investigate the charges was passed
in the House of Representatives on Feb
2S, 1874 George Blair, the Secretary of
the Central Council of Workingmen, and
Mr.. Connolly, delegate from the painters
society, we're summoned to support their
charges.
Mr. Blair said that as Secretary he had
transmitted to Congress the memorials on
information received from three plumbers
who we're working in the Post Office, and
who had struck against ten hours work.
W. T.. Steinmetz, Assistant Construc-
ton Superintend mt in the Post Office
said that all workmen on the Post Office
were under the direct superintendent of
Mr.. Hulburd except those at work on the
steam heating apparatus. That was done
under contract by Mr.. Davidson, and
neither he nor Mr.. Hulburd controlled
the plumbers in Mr.. Davidson's employ.
No other work is done under contract
The gas fitting is yet to be contracted for.
The men controlled by the Superintendent
worked by the day and we're paid by the
hour. The regular time is eight hours,
but in an emergency some workmen labor
twelve and even fifteen hours day. They
do not complain, as they are paid for over
time.
Mr. Hulburd, Superintendent of Con-
structi0n, said that in May, 1872, he re-
ceived orders to reduce the time from ten
to eight hours except when necessary, and
the orders we're obeyed. He was not sure
that the clause, except when necessary,
was expressed in the order. Mr. Connolly
was sure that the exception was not ex-
pressed. Commissioner Killinger said
that the original instructions would be
found If possible and taken in evidence.
Marshall Z. Davidson, Government con-
tractor Tor the steam heating apparatus,
said that the Government architect in
Washington asked him to put III bid for
the work. No advertising for proposals
had been done so far as he knew, and he
Il % 1
own. Here Mr.. Hulburd said that doz-
en- men at different times we're in his office
DESTROYS Of making the same contract.
Mr.. Mullett and he had gone around to
different establishments 10 examine its
quality of pipe and other materials Then
Mr.. Davidson, resuming, said that the
plumbers in his employ work ten hours a
day and the Government has no control
over them. He Is building four tanks
connecting with the steam. heating appar
atus which are not specified in the con
tract For these he is to send in a bill for
labor at ten hours day and for the boiler
iron used in construction at cost, five cents
pound. There are no other charges to
be made beyond the sum stipulated in the
contract
The three plumbers who struck last fall
one day.
John c. Graham said that he was en-
ployed as u bricklayer on the Post Office
for about two weeks in April, 1872, and
was then discharged. He knew not WIN.
unless because he had with $40 workmen,
demonstrated against working ten hours
lie was appointed by these men to talk
with Superintendent Hulburd. As he was
fn ha
and told him that Mr. Hulburd
said that Graham could 60 about
his business. The next day
the foremen. Mr.. Ledam. tod him he
was discharged, bat admitted that there
was no better workman on the building
Shortly afterward the worknen sent him
to Washington to see Secretary Boutwell,
about the change of hours, and the result
was an order to Mr. Hulburd to reduce
the number of hours. Then Mr.. Hulburd
claimed that the application for a job did
not come direct from Graham. but through
a certain ward committee. and that en-
plOyment for only two weeks was asked.
Mr.. Graham admitted that application
was made through the committee, but de-
MED that any limitation was made by his
authority. Then Mr. Hulburd said that
he had not sent word to Mr.. Graham that
he could go about his business. He re-
membered very little about the remon-
STRANGE of the l40 men, but he probably
said, if he said anything, that the com
plant must go to the authorities in Wash
ingtOn.
As no more witnesses could readily be
procured, the Commissioners said that the
investigation would be further conducted
after their return to Washington by means
of affidavits sent to the Workingmen's Cen
trail Council. The Council intend to pro-
test against the sub-letting of work to con.
tractors whereby the Eight-hour law or
Government work is evaded.-N. y Sun
tn.
THE EIGHT-HOUR LAW.