New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-23
MECHANICS LIEN LAW OF NO BENEFIT.
RESULT OF THE INVESTIGATIONS OF THE STATE
LABOR COMMIssfONER-HIS RECON-
NENDATIOES

The State Labor Commissioner Thomas J. Dow
ling. fo- the last ten days has been conducting in
this city exhaustive invest cation relative to
the practical working, OF the Mechanics Lien law.
the Life and Limb law, the Eight-hour law and
various other labor laws Last evening he said:
summarized l find according to the testimony
adduced at the investigation. that the Mechanics
Lien law is Of no beneh: TO the workmen engaged
in the building trades II Is evident that the exist
Ing statute has been complete failure. because OF
the grea: and trouble OF collecting unpaid
wages from contractors and builders who have per-
nc!ously failed TO comply with its provisions. An
other contention is that irresponsible builders take
contracts a the lowest possible figure with the
evident intention OF defraudng workmen out OF
their legitimate earnings by evasons OF the lien
law. 1t is Furthermore complained that mortgages
take precedence the claims OF wage-earners.
and for that reason the workmen have sometimes
found It impossible to collect their wages,
after going to the expense OF filing liens.
Not being protected by the lien law wage-work-
have frequently been obliged to 20 on strike in
order to recover back pay. and on some occasions
the amount lost in wages because OF these strikes
has been largely in excess Of the unpaid wages.
During the nine years ending with 1899. that
the Bureau investigated labor disputes there
33l strikes in this State caused by non-payment OF
wages. There were S,ON people engaged in these
strikes and the losses entailed by them and their
unions reached the enormous figure OF T2iS3 r. In
addition 10 this. the evidence demonstrates that
there have been In the last two years unpre-
cedented number Of strikes to compel the payment
OF wages and the pecunary loss resulting there
from haa been immeasurable. To me IL seems rad
ically wrong to put working people TO such annoy
ance and loss and they should have adequate
LEY In a perfect law based upon principles Of JUS
tlce and right. ] have made careful study OF the
lien laws OF other States and Will recommend to
the Legislature the enactment OF amendments that
VII include the most protective features OF the
statutes OF those States. | shall particularly urge
the passage OF a section providing that wren any
building shall he erected in whole or In part by
tract such building and the land wherein IL stands
shall be- liable ~ the contractor alone for work
done that al the time Of making the first payment
OF the price stipulated and agreed to be paid there
shall produce and deliver to the owner proof that
all Journey men and laborers employed In the
strUcton thereof have been paid In full This. /
consider. would be fair and equitable TO honest
builders and their employees.
More safeguards needed for the preservation
OF the lives and limbs OF men engaged in the
siructive industry.
Il have found that some OF the labor laws OF this
State are openly violated almost every day and
nothing IS apparently said about IL. These viola
iiOns are. in the man, committed by city officials.
The representatives Of organized labor unit
IN declaring taa portion OF the Eight Law
which provides that the prevailing rate Of wages
shall be paid TO mechanics and laborers employed
on public works. is continuously disregarded by the
officials whose duty II is 10 supervise the construc-
ton and repair Of public school buildings In this
city. Contrary 10 law. these officials allow con-
tractors TO pay less than the standard scale OF
prices this class OF work !"