Iron County register., 1899-12-14

Ed Regsster-Mr. VIM. r. Hinsdale,
Superintendent for the Amberg Granite
Company of Chicago, was in town
couple of days last week-just long
enough, however, to scoop in forty
thousand dollar job for his company.
The job in question is a new building
to be erected on the corner of 4th and
Locust streets. to be known CONNER
cially as the ST. Louis Trust Building.
The old building has been used for
lodge purposes, Excelsior Lodge, x. OF
P, was one among the number that oc-
cupied the building. but as the build
ing has been condemned for several
years, and in order to be in keeping
with the magnificent buildings already
in that particular locality has necessi-
modious and modern building. And
as the exterior walls were to be of
granite, Mr.. Hinsdale secured the
granite contract. Messrs. Griffin &
Wells, a large and reputable building
firm whose offices are in the new Lin
coin Trust Building are the general
contractors. 1t goes without saying
that this firm is square and upright in
all that implies.
| Official word has been received here,
as we'll as at other branches of the
Granite Cutters Union, that a settle
ment with Mr.. John Pierce, Zone of the
largest granite men) of New York has
been effected at Mt. Waldo, Maine, in
regard to the Chicago Federal Building.
There is quite romantic piece of his
tory connected with this question:; one
too, that is as renowned perhaps, as
any with which us granite cutters and
even granite bosses have had to deal
with since the organization of our
union, which is we'll nigh twentythree
years. Some three years ago, when
the contemplation of a new Federal
post-office for Chicago first came to
light at Washington, D. c.. the granite
cutters of this section (MissourD knew
that it would be granite building if a
building at all. So we, after mature
consideration, decreed that the hours
of labor should be no more than eigh:
and the rate of wages no less than
$500, and every granite contractor
from Maine to California was so in
formed. This move was done in
spirit of fairness-to place all COM
petitors on an equitable bases in so far
as competition of hours and wages
were concerned. Notices to this effect
way in advance of the time the Gov
ernment called for bids. Mr.. John
Pierce of New York and Mt. Waldo,
, Maine, was the successful bidder and
was awarded the contract at nearly two
; million dollars. About eight months
| ago his first move was to begin en-
: ploying non-union men at his Mt. Wal
do yards at whatever they were will
, ing to work for. Well, our union
wouldn't stand for anything of that
; kind, and at once put up grand kick
; not so much against his first overt ac-
: principle and justice. First, in justice
to all bona tide contractors who had
| | oil
ion wages and received good work;
who made their bids in accordance
!, with the existing custom, and for the
> granite cutters union to stand for one
firm to compete on the basis of paying
his employees what he saw fit, against
those who were willing to pay fixed
rate of wages tor a fixed number of
hours would involve principle of the
lowest type upon unionism. For Swelve
months Mr.. Pierce has been working
about 200 non-union cutters of whom
160 or 40 of them are Italian padrones
in open defiance to justice, principle
or decency, until at last he has become
to realize his position, he has confessed
his sins and like the prodigal son
comes knocking at our door. So, last
week he extended an invitation to our
headquarter officials to meet him for
the purpose of bringing about settle
ment OF the Chicago post-office. Suf-
fee it to say that the trouble has been
settled in every way in favor of the
demands of our union, and that, while
we have achieved great victory it is
not behooving US to any great growing
as we were fully confident that things
would sooner or latter come our way
on this particular job. And, it may
be bitter pill to some of those who
we have heard to remark, that we
would never win out in this case but
We have, notwithstanding their wishes
to the contrary. Now there is plenty
of work in our trade within twenty
dollars reach but none in the grand
old state of Missouri, with her mex
haustible granite quarries. What's the
matter with our Missouri granite pro-