The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-01-30
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Reply of the Board to the knights
of Labor.

At the meeting of the board of aldermen
a special committee, consisting of Moses
korn, j. 2. Sweeney and ID. I. Denny,
submitted the following report in reply to
the protest of the knights of Labor:
That organization complains OF the arrange
ment made By board of public works and the
Ministerial Mission, in which arrangement the
superintendent OF streets gives employment for
one day In the week, the number of the men not
to exceed fifteen to each day; for such one days
employment the mission agreed to feed or board
said men Tor one week, accepting for their pay
the amount 70 be paid by the city for one days
work. Those men SO employed are known as
the bummeTs' gang.
The Knights of Labor further complain that
the superintendent OF streets, Mr.. Alexander
has refused. and does so now, TO give employ
ment to men who are members OF that organiza-
ton; they also assert that for the same reason
that official recently discharged forty men from
the eity's employment
The Knights OF Labor further complain that
this Ministerial Union has monopo.iZed the
wood trade by employing this degraded labor
gang 10 the detrincnt of honest laborers
Your committee has fully investigated these
grievances The board of public works through
its chairman, Mr. Rinehsrt. aud the secretary,
Mr. Hoibrook. disciaim any intention TO leopard
izo the dignity of labor or laboring men,
but say that in accordance with an ordi.
nance passed by the city council trans
terrIng the applicants for relief to the
mayor and board of public works. they sought
means whereby those applicants Tor assistance
could be helped proposition was made 10
them by the Ministerial Mission that they will
board man one week, sn6 IN payment Will &C
eep. one day wages from the city for each
mans work. The board of public works &C.
cenied the proposition ard agreed TO employ
not to exceed fifteen men each day. We are
49, II.
good faith and did not mean to antagonize the
labor element.
The board Of public works aud the superin-
teudent of streets alphabetically deny that they
have refused work TO men on the ground tina.
they belonged to the Knights Of Labor. The
SUPERINTENDENT Of streets, Mr.. Alexander, re-
flutes the accusation that he has discharged
forty men, or any man, because be belonged to
the knights OF Labor organization; nor did he
ever give any orders 10 any of his suoordinates
20 use such a prerogAtiye. Your COMMITTEES
submit the following conclusions:
The employment of cheap or pauper labor IN
the wood yard aBd wood cutting being q pri.
yate enterprise, this council has no control
over that matter, only so far as 10 suggest to
those parties 20 employ men who live here ana
have families TO support
In the employment Of city labor or laborers,
the board q public works AMI the superinte1G-
Of streets denying the accusations made Rgaiu
them BY the Knights of labor, the burden Of
proof remains with that organization,
sad whenever such proof is presented 20 this
council stems will be taken against those
officers which viii disqualify them from hold
ing any Office under the city government
In reference 10 the days work for one weeks
board, 10 those who are titled ths bummers
gang. your committee consider u an ua.ise
Arrangement; IL has a tendency 10 bring lot
of men into our city who are neither useful nor
ornamental 10 any community. Take them
generally, they cor pose shitless set Of idisrs,
6etriment u honest laborers, such as this or
any other city should and EGst protect An
honest izhoEer shares the burden Of rsyenus 10