New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-02
WHAT THE sToNECUTTERs WANT.


WHAT THE STONECUTTERS WANT.
The first organization represented before the
committee yesterday the Stonecutters' Union, OF
New-York. This body is connected with similar unions
throughout the United States and Canada The dele
gates were Thomas Rock snd Cornelius Egsn. men OF
earnest and honest appearance who evidently felt the
truth of what they said and believed in the correctness
OF their theories They made attempt to evade the
closely put questions OF the committee, but when they
were fault for apt reply, frankly admitted IT.
They knew exactly what they wanted, and were not
drawn away from their original point. Mr. Rock was
chief spokesman but Mr. Egan sat at his elbow ana
occasionally prompted MIN in whisper, or answered
the questions OF the committee directly.
In answer to questions by Mr.. Hewitt Mr.. Rock said
that delegation had appeared before the committee
TO find out whether the work done by the Government
for the City of EewYork could not be done in the City
OF New-York When the Government had erected build
ings here had had the cut elsewhere. The same
was everywhere in the United States the stone for
the Chicago Custom House cut at Cincinnati; the
for the Cincinnati Custom House was done 10 the
East Most of the work had not been done by citizens
of the United States Some work done at Roekand
and when it was finished the drew the money out
of the bank and took it out Of the country, nearly
breaking the bank Mr.. Rock added "We sent here
now chiefly 10 relation the barge Office be built
the Battery"
Mr.. Hewitt-Do you understand it IS to be built Of
stonei Ayes.
OIL understand it is to be built Of IRON Wonld you
have the same rule apply to buildings OF irons A
No work should be outside Of the place where the
building is to be erected.
Mr. Rice-HOw is it with private buldingsf A
They generally their work done in the place where
the building is going up.
Q-Then the Government pursues a different policy
on large scale from that pursued by private
on large scalei A.-Yes We also want the eight
hour law enforced.
Q-Do you expect the Government to do anything es-
peealy TO protect you who not in the employment
OF the Government A.-Oh, no.
Mr.. Hewitt explained that most Of Government
work was by contract and that the contractor
ployed such labor, and such conditions. as was
most to his advantage. The eighhour law applied only
70 labor employed directly by the Government He
asked "Tben yOu would abolish the contract system p
Al would have any citizen in The United States bid
but would compel him to come to the place to have his
work done.
Q-You know this is Congressional committee repre-
senting the whole eountryi would you have the same
rule apply every place in the United States Ayes
every place.
Mr. Hewitt-You know tho Government officer takes
only the total bid. and has further charge OF the
methods by which the terms of tho contract are COM
pied with.
MI Roe-HOw was it with the Eew-York City public
budlBgsi A.-They were built by citizens OF New-York
City.
Q-Do you think they were built more economically
than this Post Object A.-rhe Court House built
under the Tweed Ring and cost much more; but the
money was stolen; the wOrkmen got no more.
Q-How about the Capitol at Albany iA.It was built
at Albany, and by the labOrers of the State.
Q-Was 1t prohtably built Ayes, II was profitable
10 the people OF the State.
Mr. Hewitt-If the state could have got its stone cut
more cheaply in NewYork City, ought IL still to have
had it done Albanyi who pays for the State Capt.
toll Z Al would compel the stonecuters TO 20 from
Eew-York to Albany TO do this work but know 1t
could not be done as cheaply at New-York.
Mr. Rice-If 1t could be done cbeaply at Dicks
Island than at Albany would you st have done at
Abanya Do we not private life for our supplies
where they can be obtained the eheapcstf II con-
tractor engages do piece OF work shall he not do It
IN the most advantageous wayf Al d0ut think a
contractor has right to take job unless he can snow
that he able TO DO it, Contractors VIII take JOBS ana
carry them through and leave the men TO starye
Mr. HewItt--The great fraud this Duding-if there
was fraudarose from the fact that there was no con
tract. Tho constructor was to pay what wages he
pleased and 1t paid him Is per cent on the cost Would
IN The CITY OF NewYOrk bu iings erected neref A
would compel them 4 they had It done elsewhere 10
TEE QUESTION OF WAGES.
afr Rsce-If your organization perfect, could you
not compel the wages 10 DO paid an over the
neuntry An times were better could; but with
WAGES down 10 starvation rates, 40 now, we can't
There are great many mechanics in this city to-day
good sober men--who are starving.
Al the request OF SIR. Hewitt, Ar. Rock engaged TO
eend 10 tie committee statistics IN rotation 20 the stone
cutters OF New-York CITY MY Rice asked tne nun.
her OF sOnecutters In The city was IN excess OF tire
oFdnaly a msnd for their services, ana Mr.. ROCK
Thought Il was and spoke OF the 300 men VINO went 70
Great Britain last year so fod enploylnea1
Mr. rock sad that the present OF for stone
cutters wa - day IN 1862 10 was W 70 rose 10 %
during tAe fCF few months, and was at - for
~ iss~iti-In 1860 it was 80 % for nine hours
vosk AID is SO eight hours taken In connection
adyan aseous A.-rwO dollars and quarter IN 1850.
Mr. Hewitt-Y0u consider prices higher now than
fnepa Ayes; including hOuSC-rent-
o-4iow do YOU procure supplies; have yOu co0pera-
fiSs srorpse Ave procure them directly from shops,
10 pay the highest prices. The work IA NewYork Is not
enough 70 supply the demand NOikmen have no de-
eenf place i've. They have 10 i've anyhow The
eaS Trouble Ia they are Not employed, on an average
M. Rice-Tasn Is lie could get fun employment the
workman could 1--we comfortably Al present rates. A.
o'-suppose the stonecutters OF Now-York should
stand for - day now what would be the effect
AAt tee pre- nt tere would not be iuil work az
any rate The OF this is largely thai hand labor
has been displaced ny machinery -
about thls PiOy lnent OF naachipsry Al don't think
Government has any right 70 interfere al all Tbo mat
ter viii regulate iIse1. The men who use machinery
o-Tben You would not interfere to prevent the use
OF machinery Al ana opposed 20 Is, but am Wiling
Seco,sire poorer and yin soon break. TINS due to
sharp competition; The business is 0yerdone
Mr. HewI;-Naehnefy, then, u not inenectlYe' Dut Is
Nr Itsek stated that many stoEeeutters were working
~ wsges - aud 81 80 day. The nnien could
50 lille with them tor this the times were 20 hara ne
Mr. Hesitt-In other words, there are laws at work