Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-02-10
MATTER0F MATERIAL
Minnesota Stonecutter's
Branch on Woodmen
Home.
FACTS IN THE CASE PREsENTED.

uf8oo Iboe the Local C01o0 A0e N 31me
and rsveat Unplsasans Measure Plan
y to Cat the stone ~ the Qasrriss BY
Ohsep Labor, is - Asse rssd-Pos,sies Of
Oegaaizsd Labor.
T. 4. Kelly, secretary OF the Rock
Island branch Of the Journeymen
Stonecutters' association, has re-
ceived . Communication from the
Minneapolis branch relative to the
conditions under which the mater.
ial for the new Rock Island Wood
men Home building 10 to be cut. The
communication was evidently pre-
pared without knowledge of the
stand already taken by the local
branch, as related in last Sat.
day evenings ARGUS. yet it
verifies the statement set forth by
the Rock leland union as to employ
ment Of cheap labor. The letter
which Secretary Kelly has received
is signed by ]. 8 Robertson as presi-
dent. c. G. Chalker. financial secre-
tary. and George W. Meyer, ex.presi-
dent and attorney for the Minnea polls
board, the three mentioned compos.
ing special committee.
The letter opens as follows: I'VE,
the members of the Minneapolis
branch. have q matter which We wish
to lay before your branch relative to
the building of the headquarters
Office Of the Modern Woodmen Of
America to be erected in Rock Island
1t is we'll known fact that the diff
ferent branches are opposed to hav-
ing work brought into their jurisdic
tion. and for that reason we desire
to call your attention to the fact that
the stone for that building is. or will
be. cut at the quarries Of the Sand
stone company at Sandstone. MINI,
and that the specifications call for
the work to be done by union men
or members Of their fraternity. Now
it is also we'll known fact that the
above company does not pay any.
thing more than is absolutely neces.
sary, that the stone cutter cannot
make more than an average of about
$l.75 per day, piece work, and that
the wages for day work do not ex-
coed 81, and often less than that
amount.
Proper Agitation Urged.
I'VE are Of the opinion that BY
proper agitation the work can yet be
done by your branch, or even have
living wages paid at the quarry.
Now il you will appoint . commit
tee to confer with the officers of the
NJ. w. A. at Rock Island and inform
them that II they do not desire to
have the laboring men generally boy
colt the fraternity Of Modern Wood
men OF America, and especially the
Stonecutters' union, all over the
country, they had better have that
work done by union labor, or if done
BY their members that they at least
receive decent wages"
The committee accuses the com.
pany Of contributing $1C0 toward the
organization of . Woodmen camp, 90
Is to be in position to get the Job
and thereby comply with the specifi.
cations in employing members Of the
fraternity on the job. but that this
money was not used for the orgaai.
cation Of camp, but was advanced
toward paying the initiation fees of
stonecutters who we're at Sandstone,
the stone cutters being obliged to
refund the amount out of their wages
as they earn it. The committee gees
on to say that it intends placing the
matter before the executive board
and desires the cooperation of the
Rock Island branch in sending q
communication there also, as there
are sufficient number Of members
at Sandstone who hold clesr cards
and ought. according to the laws Of
the association, to organize branch
there. but have not done 60.
I'VE are Of the opinion" the com.
C0utinued Fifth