Evening star., 1897-01-20
EMILE REMINDER
The Bricklayen Trying to Use Nosal Huaiou
ON Senator Sherman.
They Say His Architeet IL Opposed to
Union Labor and He Gives the
Matter No Confederation.

The regular weekly mRfting of the Build
ing Trades Council washheld last evening,
President William Silver presiding, with
Mr.. J. M. Boyce as secretary. Nine trades
were represented. Credentials were re-
ceived from the delegates of the Brick
layers Union and the delegates were adj
mitted. Delegate Healey of the contract
comrnittee made a report relative to the
Senator Sherman contract for building a
| number of houses and read a copy Of the
| now celebrated letter from the Bricklayers'
Union of Washington to the Bricklayers
and Masons' International Union, now in
session at Worcester, Mass. He stated
that there was evidently much misappre-
Eension as to the intention of the Brick
layers Union; that the letter explained
itself; that the request of the union was
perfectly legitimate and only in the in
tGreSt of organized labor.
The BrickInyers' Letter.
Following is copy of the much-talked-
Of letter:
Brothers: Senator John Sherman, who
Is large owner of real estate in this city
and who has invested largely in building
construction, is now preparing for the
erection of nine houses in the northeast
ern section of the city.
THE central bodies, through the con-
tract committees aScertaining the fact
C6leQ On MI. sherman and learned that
the contract had been let to builder who
had sublet the brickwork to a notorious
firm of non-union bricklayers.
1T is evident that the firm secured the
contract through the favor of Mr. Sher-
mans architect and agent, who is opposed
to union labor. This matter has been
brought to Mr.. Sherman's attention but
he does not seem to regard the matter as
deserving his consideration.
The matter being reported to the
Bricklayers' Union, No. /, Washington, D.
C., 1t was considered of such importa nee
that the undersigned committee was in
Structed to communicate with the Brick
layers and Masons' International Union
and respectfully request that your body
officially request Mr.. Sherman to recog-
nize union labor in the present construc-
noI ana also IN the future. 1t is also re-
quested that the delegates representing
the unions in Ohio courteously remind the
senator of the desire of the union of the
District.
"A public official as prominent in the
nations councils as Mr.. Sherman, who
should represent that better class of work.
ing citizens who demand those Industrial
conditions which will secure to men oppor-
tunities to labor and the largest reward
for their toll, should desire to favor and
patronize those who organized to main
tain principle which Is declared to be
cardinal by all political parties-the highest
remuneration Of the wage workers of the
country
In he District of Columbia men are DO
litica1 aliens, and in instances such as
cited the force of moral suasion and gentle
reminder must come from those of our
brotherhood who, having. .ithe ballot, can
command respectful hearing. With frater-
nal greeting, (Signed) William H Maghan
j. 1sa5s, B. D1Ws'' 9oS Milford d. sRohn. John p
1t was the sense of the council that the
contract committee of other council should
see senator Sherman and request that in
all future contracts he would provide for
the employment of union labor.
The Worcester Resolutions,
Information from the Bricklayers and
Masors' International Cniop convention at
Worcester. Mass. received today, states
that at the meeting of,the convention held
there Yesterday the request of the Brick
layers Union of Wasisfngttal was complied
S,n sso ioe fg:loTin preamble and res
TO the Honorable JoAp7 Sherman. wash-
whereas we, the delegates from the sew
eral states and territories of this great re-
public; and also from the Dominion of Can
ada, look to you as one of the representa-
tive men of this great nation. and one who,
we feel. would esteem it pleasure to as
sist the faboring people of this continent to
secure fair remuneration for their labor
and reasonable hours of labor and,
Whereas 1t has been brought to the at
tention of the Bricklayers and Masons' In
ternaticral Union, in convention assembled
in the city of Worcester Mass, that the
contract for nine houses, about to be erect
ed for you in the northeast section of the
city of Washington, D. c., has been award
ed to contractor who has sublet the brick
work to non-union firm of bricklayers.
namely, Messrs. Grant & Myers of the Dis
trict of Columbia, therefore, be it
Resolved, That we, the delegates repre-
senting the subordinate unions of the
Bricklayers and Masons' International
Union. now in convention assembled do
a1 nd fr1I1y
you. as our honored senator of the great
state of Ohio and representative of the
people at large of our republic, tina. you
apnul or cause to be arnulled the contract
for said work, SO that it may be construct
ed by contractor who will pay fair rate
OF wages and employ organized and union
labor; and be 1t further
Resolved, That we respectfully request
you. when contemplating any further con-
struction Of buildings, that you cause to
have inserted in the contract and specif-
cations Tor such work a clause stating that
ncne but union labor shall be employed on
such construction.
Inauguration Contracts.
4 reply to the letter which was sent to
Chairman c. J. Bell of the inaugural COM
m1ttee relative to the construction of
stands to be used during the parade on
March was read This was as follows:
Il am In receipt Of yours of the 14th in
slant. In reply would state that the con-
idSto III tuc eTSCtlOH Oh the StaHuS nave
already been given out by the chairman of
committee in charge of that work. I have,
however, forwarded him your communica-
tion.'
The resolutions adopted at the last meet
ing OF the Central Labor Union protesting
agair st the passage by Congress of the
Cockrell resolution relative to enforced
suspension of work by the Potomac Elec-
trio Power Company in the matter of lay
Ing conduits In some of the streets of
w ashlngtcn We're indorsed by unanimous
vote. copy Of these resolutions was pub
lished In The Star of yesterday.
A committee of three, Messrs. William
Maghan, Joseph A. Woodworth and G. w.
Owens, was appointed to!act with the COM
mittee appointed for a similar purpose by
the Central Labor Union. and the JOINT
committee will today call at the Capitol
and see the proper committee there in ref
erence to the objects which the Central
Labor unicn and Building Trades Council
are seeking to obtain igt this line.
1t was also the intentionIof the commit
tee, 1t was stated, tod.request President
Gompers of the Amerbab Federation of
Labor to interest himself IN this matter.