The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-10-24
Prior should be invited to attend and
the matter Straightened out

Prior should be invited to attend and
the matter Strengthened out.
Street Commissioner Prior told The
Spy man last night that he does not in
quire whether man belongs to a union
when he applies for work. He hires
them to do the work, and if they are
competent, tries to do as we'll by them
as he can. From what he has been
able to learn, Landfeldt was formerly a
contractor and lived in New York for
about 20 years. He lived in Westfield
for about three years previous to COM
ing to Worcester, some months ago.
Langfeldt applied to him for work last
spring, but he was unable to place him.
This fall there was vacancy, and he
was put to work. Langfeldt is a reg
istered civil service man and a citizen
of Worcester, according to Mr. Prior.
Mr.. Prior was approached by Mr..
Pierce a short time ago, and told that
liangfeldt was non-union man, and
in view Of the fact that it is against
the rules of the union to work with
man who is not a member of the or
ganization, Mr.. Prior kept Langfeldt
working by himself as much as possible.
out of respect for the feelings of other
men who belong to the union, although
he did not feel justified in discharging
him
In regard to allowing city employees
to do work for contractors, Mr.. Prior
says this is done merely in the way
OF accommodation. Many times pri-
vate individuals wish work done and as
matter of accom- mediation, one of the
city men is sent out, the individual or
contractor recompensing the city for
such work
Many times the city laborers have
been employed to put back sections of
paving where street railway tracks
have been laid or taken up. The city
is recompensed, and has the additional
satisfaction of knowing that the work
is done in proper manner
Some of the statements credited to
Mr.. Pierce are at variance with those
submitted by the street commissioner,
and an opportunity for Strengthening
out the tangle will be given, when the
board OF arbitration conVenes at l0
o'clock this morning.
In speaking of the strike last light
Mr.. Pierce said; Il believed that there
could have been a settlement this after
noon. Street Commissioner Prior says
that he does not consider it his duty 10
discharge man because he is q non
unionist. Every workingman knows
that union men and citizens are prefer
able to non-unionists and non-cItiZens
There is positive proof that Mr. Prior
by the street department to work for
contractors when in need of PAYERS. HC
argues that Langfeldt's presence was
necessary because of the scarcity OF
PAYERS, yet PAYERS were not so scarce
that contractors who apSlied to Mr.
Prior were refused. 1t is my belief that
the street commissioner has weak ar
gument when he says that because feH
contractors can afford to keep tsverS
for work when needed that it is fan
for him a man whose salary is paid
by the citizens, to take a man from the
city's working force and tender his ser.
vices to the contractors whom he ia.
vors.
I'm the meeting this morning [ will
be in favor Of any reasonable adjust
ment of this difficulty, but until it /.
shown in a different light I will chan.
acterize Street Commissioner Prior's at
titude Us unfair to the city and organ
lied labor"
There is no complaint because of tn.
wage schedule, as PAYERS are well paic
for city or contract work.