The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-11
Dislike BUDD'S CHOICE,
His Appointment of Labor
Commissioner Raises a
Storm.
IGNORES ORGANIZED LABOR
Trade Unionists Say They Asked
For and Expected a Work.
ingman.

The appointment of E. L. Fitzgerald to
the Office of Labor Commissioner has
caused something of a commotion in the
ranks of organized labor. Irrespective OF
politics. the trade unionists almost to a
man vigorously denounce the selection as
iniudicious, an insult to labor and explain
able only upon the hypothesis of political
pull. They say that the place has been
given to a professional politician, who
knows nothing of and who cares nothing
for organized labor-a man who will follow
in the footsteps of his predecessors, and
draw fat salary for ornamenting an office
that ought to be abolished.
Some there are who take different view
of the matter, and say, "Let US see what
manner of man this is whom the Governor
hath chosen; let US not condemn him too
soon"
Following are given number of inter
views on the subject with representative
worklngmen:
NJ. McGlynn, president of the Labor
Council and editor of the Voice of Labor,
said
lam not at present half so much interested
IN Mr.. FitZgerald's appointment or ms prob
able course of action as ! am in ascertaining
upon what authority Governor Budd uses my
name rs one OF the indorSers of Mr.. Fitzgerald.
When indorse anybody for anything wish at
least TO be personally acquainted with that
individual, and did not know Of Mr.. F1tZger-
AIDS existence four months ago AT that time
he called at my Office, claiming TO be acting
under instructions from the Governor, and
asked me to give my opinions as to the work
that might and should be done by the Bureau
of Labor Statistics. 1 complied with the re-
quest, pointing TO the Minnesota, Ohio, Massa-
chusetts and New Jersey labor bureaus as eX-
amples. l also urged that the next appointee
be man Gifted by education and training
10 carry out the proper functions OF the bureau.
Atthat time did not know and Mr.. Fitzgerald
did not mention that he was an aspirant for
the position.
Some time later he submitted a draft of law
empowering the Labor Commissioner TO es-
tabliSh free labor bureau" 10 which made
some amendments. He then told me he was q
candidate and would probably be appointed.
About TWO weeks later q friend OF his, q Mr..
Green, called upon me with O request for my
Endorsement either as a private citizen or as
the president OF the Labor Council. That re-
quest l positively and absolutely refused TO
grant. The ''priyate citizen" part was the
merest sham, since as q private citizen had
been the POpulist candidate for Secretary OF
State and nv Endorsement as such would pre-
sumably be detrimental to any "good" Demo-
Gratis chance OF official favor. was then asked
If had 'any personal or official objections
TO Mr.. Fitzgerald, to which candidly replied
that had not This was the extent OF my
acquaintance or connection with Mr.. Fitzger-
aid.
As to his probable conduct OF the Office, can
only say that he appears TO be an intelligent
young man, DESTROYS OF making q mark in the
poll tical world. l believe the trades unionists
will not allow any chagrin they may feel over
the slight given their membership by the
Governor 10 deter them from giving Mr.. Fitz-
gerald all the assistance possible in his work
They may consider that the Governor did not
act in. the wisest manner by ignoring their
claims TO the Office and by choosing politician
rather than q man who had made some repu-
tation a student of politico-economic mat
tiers. But thatls another story.
William Zahn, secretary Brewery Work
mems Union, said:
In the appointment of Fitzgerald Governor
Budd has totally disregarded the voice OF
labor. The labor unions had no desire 10 die
tate the appointment. We only asked that q
man be selected from the ranks of labor
some one cOgniZant of the purpose OF trades
unions in general. l do not know Mr.. Fitz-
gerald personally, but do know that his ap-
pointment is very unsatisfactory to organized
labor. In the first place he is q very young
man.. Even had he been prominently identl-
fed with labor organizations his age would
make it impossible for him to have attained
that degree of experience which g. Commits
Sloner OF Labor should carry TO THIS reSpon-
sible position OF course as conducted now
it is mere cbild's play. But we hoped for
better things. Under proper administration
the Office OF Labor Commissioner might do a
great deal of good for the man who tolls. AS it
is conducted now it does no one good.
E. A. Parker, chairman executive COM
mittee, Typographical Union said:
Our union Endorsed L. P. Ward for Labor
Commissioner, and hoped that Budd would
see lit TO appoint him. Ward has been identi-
fed with labor organizations for many years,
and was eminently qualified for the place.
Still, had Budd selected a man from the ranks
OF labor, or even one who was fairly acquainted
with the labor movement, we would not have
& word to say against the appointment. But
look st his strange choice.
A young politician without any experience
in labor matters. No doubt pressure was
brought to bear upon Bud of which we have
. no knowledge. But he might have had respect
enough for organized labor to have refrained
from making an appointment which he well
knew would cause the greatest disappointment
in labor circles.
T. F.. Burns, president Cigar-makers'
Union, said:
most unsatisfactory appointment to Or
eaniZed laber generally. l do not know Mr..
fitzgerald personally. I understand that be
is a friend of the Governors, and that in his
appointment the latter paid political debt.
1t will be another four years of a salary-draw-
inc feurehead in the chair OF Labor Commits
sioner. The Labor Bureau may as well be
abolished for all the good that it does labor
What has the incumbent done for or
ganized labor? Only once has he been aroused
from the lethargy Of his $2o00-a-year repose.
Then he stood on both ears, and smiling at the
Manufacturers Association, flung his heels into
the very teeth OF organized labor. That was
him We do not expect much of Fitzgerald
He has neither knowledge of nor sympathy
with labor. There were many men available
but business is business and Mr.. Budd is a
business man.
4 A. G. Schwatka, president San Francisco
Typographical Union, said:
AS regards the recent appointment of Labor
Commissioner of the State it would not be fair
to accuse the recent appointee OF not being an
acceptable person to either organized labor or
the State al large until he has had trial. That
organized labor throughout the State, and in
San francisco in particular, is surprised and
disappointed at the appointment is the truth,
for energetic work was being done here and in
several OF the large interior cities to secure the
eppointment OF some well-known and able
man identified with both the farming and me-
chanical interests of the State. Such q man
would have proved himself one of the most I'M
portant auxiliaries to the Governors admins
fration and would have been potent factor in
bringing this all important and beneficial
Office out OF the rut into which it has fallen
and making it, as it was intended TO be when
created, one of useful and valuable infor-
nation to the masses at large.
In several of the large Eastern States-nota-
bIy Ohio and New York-the office of Labor
Commissioner is now considered one of the
most important within the gilt of the Governor
or the people at large. But in those places it
has not been used as political sinecure or to
alleviate the disappointment of some broken
down chronic politician who is being con-
stantly ignored by the people, as has been the