The times., 1899-07-25

The members of Columbia Typographical
Union No. 1Ol are little inclined to discuss
the circumstances in connection with the
recent Increase of the wages of the printers
and book binders employed at the Govern
ment Printing Office The matter was re-
vived a few days ago by despatch from
Washington published in a Chicago news
paper in which it was intimated that the
bill was lobbiei through Congress at The
expense of the printers and book binders
employed by the Government. The contri-
buttons of the printers for this purpose is
referred to as a corruption fund" and
il is strongly hinted that the whole matter
will be a subject for Congressional investi-
cation at the coming session of that body.
From what can be learned there is no
doubt that the printers and bookbinders
contributed largely for the purpose of hay-
ing their wages increased, but to what ex
tent and under what circumstances it is
impossible to state with any degree Of GER
tainty- All the members of the printers
union enquired of concerning the matter
admit that a large number of both the
typographical and bookbinders unions
contributed literally to the cause, but no
one is willing TO say how many contribut-
ed or what the amount of the individual
donation, as It is called by some
a member of Columbia Typographical
Union, No. 101, when asked about the mat
ter yesterday. said il is true that a arge
number Of the members of both unions had
contributed to the movement inaugurated
for the purpose of having the wages OF the
members of these organizations increased.
He estimated the total number at about
1,200, and they agreed, he said, 10 con-
tribute an amount equal to the increase of
pay for thirty days. The fight was being
made for an increase of so cents per day
and averaging twenty-six days to the
month 1t made the individual contribution
a little over $50. This would make total
contribution of about $4,000.
The payment of this money, the printer
referred to said, wGs guaranteed by what
is known as conditional" promissory
note, drawn in favor Of Edwin C. Jones,
the President of Columbia Union. and made
payable thirty days after the increase of
wages had taken place These notes. the
speaker said, were distributed among the
members OF the union by the foremen of
the divisions at the Government Printing
Office. and when signed by the printers
were returned" He had signed one him
self, he said, and knew what he was talk
ing about.
As it was alleged by those who took a
prominent part in the movement which
resulted in the increase of the pay of the
printers and bookbinders. that the money
collected was used to pay for Legitimate"
counsel fees, the printer referred to said
it is only right that the members OF the
union demand an accounting from their
agents in this matter. Twenty or twenty
four thousand dollars. he said, was an
enormous fee for drawing up a petition to
Congress.
Edwin C. Jones, President of Columbia
Typographical Union, No. 101, was seen
last night. and asked If he would explain
the matter. He said it is not a matter OF
public concern, and that he did not see
that he was called upon TO make any
statement about 1t. The insinuation that
any OF the money contributed by the men,
bers OF the union had been used for lobby
Ing purposes, he said, is without the slight
est foundation. Large sums of money he
said, had in previous years been paid out
in this way TO no purpose. No one was
employed TO lobby, Mr.. Jones said. for il
was not necessary. The matter was un-
dertaken by himself and Mr.. Feeney, the
Secretary Of the Bookbinders Union, and
the first thing they did was TO consult an
attorney on the subject They followed
his advice and the rest was easily ac-
complished.
The bill drafted by their attorney was
submitted 10 the Senate Committee on
Printing consisting of Senators German.
Hale, and Lodge, who approved it. The
bill was afterward offered in the Senate by
Senator German, and was passed Mr..
Jones says there was not dollar but was
expended In legitimate way and he chal-
lenges any one TO name single member
Of Congress who took an active part in the
passage of the bill except those mentioned
further than TO vote on il when presented.
Mr.. Jones would neither admit nor deny
that the members Of the union had pledged
themselves TO contribute in the shape of
conditional notes for the purpose of as
slsting IN having their wages increased.
Neither would he say whether the alleged
contributions were TO be paid in thirty or
sixty days after the pay of the printers and
bookbinders had been increased.
AS Mr.. Jones emphatically states that
not cent was paid out for lobbying pur-
poses, those most interested in the matter
want TO know who got the S24 600 con-
tributed by the members of the union who
were the benefciaries of the bill passed
by Congress. This is the question some
members of the union are most interested
In having Mr.. Jones answer