The herald., 1897-01-19

all printing matter published by the city
of Los Angeles
The resolution is clearly Illegal, Is
against sound public policy, because. II
is an unjust discrimir alton against a
very large proportion of the employing
printers of Los Angeles.
We believe 1t is only necessary to cal
YOUR attention to this matter TO secure
prompt and favorable action upon it.
Seventh-That afterwards and on the
4th day of January, 1897, the Los Ange-
les Printing company filed it's petition
asking that the action of the former
council in adopting the Ashman reso-
luton be rescinded. 1t is upon this lat
ter petition your committee are request
ed to report.
After a careful examination of the rec
ords herein and in the presence of the
opinion of the city attorney deciding
adversely to the first petition of the
Typographical union, your commit
tee are of the opirlion:
First-That the council Is a public
body owing equal allegiance to every
citizen of this municipality.
SecOnd-That to conserve the best in
terests of the city all supplies of what
ever nature should be purchased in the
open market.
Thir6-That the restrictive provis-
ions of the resolution in question pre-
Ciuuc tIc pditIClpdllOH VI ROOulY
number of worthy, law abiding. taxpay-
ing citizens, in supplying ore branch of
the city's needs. This may or may not
influence the prices paid by the city
clerk for such work. but it certainly doc s
limit the number who are eligible to COM
pete for same to the exclusion of many
who would otherwise share the bene-
fits.
Fourth-That this is clearly class leEis-
Ia tinni pt-6 n, 10 he
chasing of all classes of supplies, as
logically it might be demanded, a fla
grant injustice would be done many of
our best citizens.
Fifth-That the spirit of the resolution
is un-American; is contrary to the Dem
Ocratic principles on which our republic
is founded and is repugnant to our sense
Of equal right to life. liberty and the
pursuit of happiness.
For above reasons, and many others
which may be adduced, your committee
would respectfully recommend that the
prayer of the petitioner be granted and
the resolution rescinded by your honor
able body
This recommendation of your commit
tee Is made without prejudice to the in
terest of those individuals or firms who
use the union label, the principle in
volved has alone been considered, not
the individuals.
Councilman Hutchison presented the
following minority report
Believing that the great labor unions
of America are the most useful and
most important factors for the amelio-
ration OF the condition of workingmen;
believing also that the Typographical
union Is one of the best-managed and
most beneficial of trades unions, and
that the encouragement given it by the
Ashman resolution, now in force in this
city, Is entirely just and proper, / beg
leave to report against the petition OF
the Los Angeles Printing company of
january L."
AT the conclusion of the reading of
the two reports Councilman Blanchard
moved the adoption of the majority re-
port which motion was seconded by
Councilman Toll
The roll was abouk 10 be called when
Councilman Hutchison suggested that
as number of interested printers had
been invited to appear before the cour-
Gil, he thought they should be given
hearing.
Mr.. Ph1lhs, representing the Typo
graphical union. then addressed the
council. He said that as to the legal
phase of the subject he was not prepared
to talk. but as to the facts, he was posted
and 1t was on this point that he desired
to say few words. The same condi-
tions existed now as did when the or
dinance passed. He explained that the
was necessary to enable the
printers to establish and maintain
living scale of wages. The houses using
the union label pafd from 10 to 40 per
cent higher wages than these houses
which did not, ard with this advantage
In their favor, it was practically impos-
sible for union establishments to COM
pete for public printing. Other cities
n ca1 ct t1a, lat or,1 IT,,
not one instance had their Legality been
questioned or the council asked to re-
scind them. He hoped that Los Angeles
would not be the first city to take a
retrograde step in this important mat
ter.
Judge Miller, the legal representative
Of the Typographical union, followed
case. He thought, however, that as "A
matter Of public policy, to say nothing
Of its legal aspect, It would be good
plan to encourage union labor.
President Silver asked whether Judge
Miller thought it was good policy for
he council to discriminate in favor of
one class of citizens as against another
Judge Miller stated that, as between
Two classes, as indicated, it was, as the
union was open and all could come in
{ they desired.
Councilman Toll asked if the judge
hought it was the duty of the council
% whip those outside into the union.
Judge Miller said assuredly not, ana,
n answer to suggestion from Council
nan Hutchison, suggested the cases of
physicians who were required to have
diplomas and certificates from the state
,fficers to show that this class of legis- |
alton was perfectly legal. He also |
rave decisions showing that the legality |
If such legislation as the resolution un-
Ter discussion had been sustained by
he courts. Judge Miller concluded by |
saying that he hoped the council of Los |
Angeles would not take a retrograde |
step.
Cyren e. Fisk, president of the Coun- !
Ill of La Dor, advocated the resolution as
| matter of public policy, for the reason |
hat the well-paid laborer made better |
tizen and better man than the ore |
Who was underpaid- He instanced the |
action of the council in the matter of for |
bidding the use of Chinese made brick |
n public improvements, and said that no |
me had ever claimed that this was |
lass legislation. 1t was done in the |
interest of good wages and had received |
he Endorsement of every good citizen. !
lie asked that the resolution be retained |
N the statute books in the interest of |
organized labor.
President Silver asked Mr. Fisk if he |
hought a resolution should be kept on |
he statute books that majority of the |
thought Illegal. to which |
Ir. Fisk said that they were willing u |
lave the legality of the resolution test |
d. in the courts.
Capt. F. b. Colver also spoke at some |
ength in favor of the resolution being |