The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-06
HOT RESOLUTION ADOPTED
Condemnipg Certain Alleged Gambling
Features and Notice That Evidence
Wouldbe Gathered Against Gull
ty Persons Celebration Off

labor Organizations in and around this city
have taken hand in the fight
1t was thought the differences would be
settled yesterday, when P. G. Bowman,
vice president of the associa ton, went be-
fore the Trades Council and presented a
signed statement affirming the friendship
of the association for union labor and
promising to employ nothing but union
men in the future. Such was not the case.
After hearing speeches from Mr.. Bowman,
Frank s. White and General Charles NJ.
Shelley, representing the citizens of Bir-
mingham, the council went into executive
session, and after a two hours discussion
unanimously voted down the proposal.
The Statement
Following is the text of the statement Of
fered by Mr.aiBowman:
In the matter between the Birmingham
Trades Council and the Alabama State Fair
association, the State Fair association
through it's representative, Hon. p. c.
Bowman, agrees and binds itself to give all
future contracts at the fair grounds and
other work it may have to contract for to
union labor, and affirms its friendship for
union labor (Sgned)
"a E. CAFFEE, President.
up. G.. BOWMAN, Vice President.
81 a. ROUNrREE, Secretary.
''T. F. PARKER,
CT. G. HEWLETT,
ct. w. lO'BYRNE,
81. A. STUBBLEFIELD,
''W. f. GARTH,
Directors
Mr.. Bowman presented the proposition in
do odd a aid
that the Fair association did not oppose
union labor, and that the managers were
sorry the trouble had arisen. He then ex-
cused himself, and left the council to de-
eide on the matter as they fit
Captain Frank s. White followed with a
short speech advocating labor and asking
that the council accept the proposition and
amicably settle the boycott
General Shelley then followed in a few
well-chosen words. He said that he and
Captain White came in the interest of the
citizens of Birmingham, and they wanted
to settle any strife now existing.
The Carpenters Side
President Woilenhaupt, of the Carpenters
union, was then called upon to explain the
status of the boycott and how the trouble
originated.
He said that some time prior to the let
ting of the contract for the erection of the
state fair buildings Mr.. Leath, district or
ganizer of the American Federation of
Labor, called on Secretary Rountree and
asked that a clause be inserted in the con-
tract to the effect that nothing but union
men be put to work. "The contract was
let to Mr.. Burns a few days later, "contin-
ued Mr.. Wollenhaupt, land this clause did
not appear in the contract. About this
time the trouble between the carpenters and
the contractors, which finally resulted in
strike, began.
"a committee from our organization call
ed on Mr.. Burns and asked that he sign our
scale. This he refused to do. We then went
to the headquarters of the fair association
and requested the managers to use their in
fiuence on the contractor. This they prom
Used to do but we could never get them to-
gether. Again We tried without success,
and then seeing no alternative appealed to
the Trades council A committee was APP
p I'D by this governing body to yait on
the fair association and ask relief. We
were informed that another building would
have to be erected and that nothing but
union labor would be employed to erect it.
The next day an advertisement for twenty
five union carpenters appeared. Six men
were sent to the fair grounds and after be-
ing sent from man to the other they
were finally referred to Mr.. Burns. He
told us that he did not need any men. Some
days after this the boycott began, and as
yet nothing has been granted u.s.
The Councils Action
After hearing this explanation, General
Shelley and Captain White both said that
they were of the opinion that the carpenters
had good cause. They said, however, that
as the Fair association had come to them
now on Bonded knee something should be
done. Ex-Mayor D. ]. Fox was present
and was also in favor of settlement.
A motion was carried excluding all from
the room except members of the organiza-
tion. The council then went into a dis
cusson over the proposition and unani-
mously decided to reject it.
Resolutions were adopted condemning GER
tain alleged gambling features of the fair,
and notice given that committee would
visit the fair on tomorrow and Wednesday
to gather evidence to prosecute the al
legged guilty persons.
"A committee from the Trades council,
which had been sent to the fair grounds
to report on the condition of the buildings
reported that the grandstand and paddock
were unsafe and that neither could stand
more than half their seating capacity.
The grand labor celebration on Novem-
Der II, was declared off. 1t was stated that
a committee had gone to the railroads in
regard to rates and was informed that no
reduced rate tickets would be sold without
an admission coupon to the state fair
grounds attached. Rather than pay this
amount to- the Fair association it was de-
cided not to hold the celebration on the day
mentioned.
The public is looking anxiously forward to
see what effect this boycott will have on
the success of the state fair.