The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-10-11
CONTENTION OVER ALMsHoUsE.
SEATTLE, Wash. Oct. 10. 1898.

SEATTLE, Wash. Oct. 10, 1898.
To THE EBIToR: In the Issue of Monday
morning | find a CONTAMINATION signed
T. z. McDermott. criticising the report of
the Western Central Labor Union COM
mittee which reported on the workman
ship os the several classes of work on the
county almshouse building. While / do
not object TO any criticism of that report,
| do object to the insinuations contained
in that part of the communication coupled
with my name.
In reading his article find not one con-
tradiction 10 the report of the committee.
but do find several statements that con-
tradict themselves.
In the first paragraph he states that
''so-called' committee was appointed by
the Western Central Labor Union, and in
the next one he states ihat he wishes the
public 10 know that the bricklayers' union
did not appoint me or any other person to
act in such capacity. Now, if Mr.. McDer-
mott will read the report he will see that
the name of the bncklayers' union is not
connected with the report insofar as that
body alone is concerned.
As far as my competency as Judge of
the work in question is concerned, l will
leave that TO my fellow work men, any of
whom will vouch for me as mechanic in
the calling which l represented. Mr.. Nc
permott has been in this city about six
months, therefore he has no knowledge OF
me as a mechanic. as il is now two years
since, through the loss of an arm, have
been able to work at my trade. He, in
fact, knows about as much of my CONNIE
tency as the public does of his incompe-
tency. | assert that he is not a proper
person 10 pass Judgment upon the work in
question or upon my abilities. His opin-
ion is biased. and could not be otherwise
according TO his environments. He is at
present working for James Parke, one of
the contractors VINO was prominent in
making the charges against the contractor
and those whose duty IL Is TO look after
the proper construction OF the building.
| That the report of the Western Central
Labor Union was made for political pur-
| poses j deny. The committee was ap-
| pointed not TO investigate dsviations from
| plans submitted to bidders. but solely 10
examine the character Of the work, which
had been called in question by the Tsle-
| graph. and was for no other purpose what
soeyer.
Mr.. McDermott is correct IN stating that
these people do not control any branch
OF the labor union politically and other
wise" and | will add that he and those
connected with him have not any strings
| on the organisation either His advice TO
'ah parties concerned" is gratuitous, As
| to who is being made tool of | will leave
the public to judge. On his opinions of
the merits and dement's of the brickwork
have nothing TO say. 1t does not con-
! Germ me. but l consider his criticisms an
| injustice to his fellow members and, more
| over, wrong. | still adhere to that part of
the Western Central's report that per-
sonaiiy concerns me.
In conclusion ] wish TO state that Mr..
MeDeFmott Is not the mouthpiece Of the
hrseksayeF's union and the use of its name
as TO what II has done or will do If neces-
sary. is unauthorized. am. sir. respect
| fully yours. W. II. MInnLErox.