New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-08-23
WORKMEN CALL ONTHE MA YOR
THEY WANT THE CITY TO PEGIN RIG PUBLIC
IMPROVEMENTS.
MR.. GILRoY GIVES THEM SOME HoPE-AN
AWKWARD QUESTION ABOUT EX-coM.
MISSIONER BRENNAN.

AWKWARD QUESTION ABOUT EX-CoM'
MISSIONER BRENNAN
President Samuel Gompers and committee from
the American Federation OF Labor; Henry Wei1s
man. representing the Bakers Union; Moses ds
Costa, the Cigar Makers: Charles r. Rechers, the
Garment Makers: r. NJ. Campbell, Typographical
Union No g. and Henry White. the clothing trades
called on Mayor Gilroy In his ONCE yesterday 70
represent the condition of the unemployed OF the
city and urge the necessity OF finding work for
them.
Gompers was chief spokesman He told the
Mayor that the demands OF the workingmen were
not chimerical that those in authority should give
them immediate consideration, and that work
should be supplied on school buildings, docks,
speedways parks, streets and in every possible
way.
You can find some way to give these people,
idle through fault of theirs. something to DO
detained Gompers. 1--WE not here TO ask
money for nothing"
The Mayor waved his hand to stay the tide OF
M. Gompers's eloouence and said that he need
go into argument TO establish his position.
'Workmen employed by the city, he said, ARE
under obligation for the money they earn
Ninety per cent OF trades are out OF
employment" said Gompers. They are all loyal
the State of NewYork, and that to give them
immediate employment believe would be best and
safest"
What do you mean by that asked the Mayor
quickly. ais it iD the nature of threat?
"Oh. meant no threat" replied Gompers care
lessy.
The Mayor then made little speech. He said
that while ne was fully aware that great distress
prevailed he not ready to accept Mr.. Com
perss unsupported assertion that so large a pro.
portion 81 per cent OF the workingmen IN some
trades were unemployed. He explained that in
pushing the construction OF the public works the
city authorities had to be governed by legal enact
ments but he would promise to do everything In
his power to aid the committee. He would consult
at once with the heads OF departments and would
bring the subject before the Board of Estimate. In
new pavements sl.500.0.o already being spent;
100000 would go into sewers in the Annexed
District: the Dock Department had been authorized
to spend sl2 100000 on new docks. but only 100000
could annually be used The representatives OF
the various trades present described the condnioc
of the workmen for whom they appeared. one OF
tn, suggested that the city construct rapio
transit lines. 40
That would mean postpon ement of relief until
January" said the Mayor for the city can w
nothing about that until the Legislature meets
Even then some good lawyers say that III" a''o"
ing the city to build the road would be uhco"Se'~-
tcnal" ,,,
Then Mr.. De Costa. of the cigar Make'' 49,"
asked II Street Cleaning Commissioner 80"
ha no, 49,, d,,cbarping men instead OF hiring
more . - A.
..CommissIoner Andrews did not want 10 go 70
Jail" rep,led the Mayor. HE would nave pee"
liable to Indictment and impr' 'on''e'' " ~
M nGs"nn POSER le do"s
asks sH, ,no' about II answered the Mayor testify.
ASK the and b sxp nS @er that that
afciaI had had hard conditions TO con'end VIII"
during the WI assured the Mayor that the men he
Mnr MI would keep within the law The SUP.
repreS' aaf vas brought up. The Mayor SAID that
Jet OF IA receive his earnest and immediate aes
tsntiOn