Waterbury Democrat., 1901-05-29
WERE AFRAID OF CRITICISM
Members of Public Works Board
 Vote Against g Hour Day.

 Went Back on his Colleagues and Helped the Republicans Defeat the Measure-The Three Who Voted Against Nine Hours Are Men Who Have Many workmen Under Them.
 The board of public works held meeting last night Mayor Kildur pre- siding and all the members being pres ent. Several hearings were held after which the board indulged in short talk regarding nine hour day for em- ployes of the city during the months or June. July and August, the same as last season. A motion that the order go in- 10 effect this year was made some time ago but owing to the opposition or Mir Whiting it was tabled. 1t was brought up again last night, but enough did not favor it to take it from the table so that it is safe to state that it VIII remain during the regime of the present board. A few remarks were made on the subject which were sub stantially as follows:
 MT Whiting: I think this very bad time to take it up. There is trouble going on outside and we don't want to be accused of taking sides on the question.
 MT scully: "I don't see 1t in that light. We had the nine hour day last year and no one found fault about It. Az a member of this board, have no desire to express an opinion regarding what I think of the struggle going on outside and in my judgment the best way we can keep clear of it is by fol- lowing the policy pursued last year and then no one can accuse us of being fn- fnenced by what is going on in the shops. If we refuse to do that. then think we shall leave ourselves open to the charge of taking sides, or at least being afraid to pursue the policy or last year lest some people might not like it. Several of the shops are hay ing a nine hour day and some of them have decided to give their hands Sat urday half holiday. This is an innoya- ton and yet these factories do not pre- tend to be taking sides on that ques- tfon If we have the nine hour day it will be nothing new and don't think anybody will try to connect 1t with what is going on in the labor market" ]"
 MT Whiting: "We voted a nine hour day last year because it was petitioned for and besides the conditions were different There is q great struggle going on now and you know how both look at anything they regard as a vic tory for their side We want to let this thing alone for the present.
 MT Scully: "Who petitioned for the nine hour day last yearT
 MT Whiting: Some organization"
 Mir Scully Addressing Mir Whiting): s.An organization petitioned for an in- crease in wage for the city laborers, but we gave the petitioners leave to withdraw and inaugurated nine hour day instead. wasn't very enthusiastic advocate of the thing at the time, but after listened to your argument in favor of 1t I supported 1t cheerfully''
 Mir Mahaney: "I made the motion for the nine hour day last year and Mfr Whiting seconded it. All the shops are satisfied with nine hour day, hut they don't want to recognize the union. That's the cause of the whole trouble. There is no union business in this mat ter and inasmuch as we had it last year and no one kicked about it I don't see why anyone should object now un- less there is something to be said against ir besides what have heard. !"
 AIT Whiting: T voted for the niiIe hour day last year because believed in it. I have not changed my opinion since. but owing to the condition of things about town don't feel pss.- pared to vote for it at this time.'
 Mayor Eilduff: Let me say word. We had the nine hour day last year when there were no differences cerns and their help We don't want to mix up in this outside question one way or the other and in order to do that don't you think the best thing for us to do is go ahead as usual without any reference to other matters. If the city never had nine hour day shouldn't care to see it ill- troduced now because some people might charge us with taking sides, but seeing it is. nothing new-I think if we want to be clear of suspicion in this whole matter the proper course to pur- sue Is to follow the old lines and then neither side can make handle out of 1t. Don't you think so Mir Whitingg'
 MT Whiting: sI do not, MT Mayor"
 The Mayor: "You don'tT"
 Mfr Whiting: NO"
 The Mayor: .sThis matter was voted for very cheerfully last year"
 afr Whiting: Not cheerfully your honor: two members opposed it."
 The Mayor: T mean by a majority of the board"
 sfr Whiting: 'Yes and I was one of fhens
 The Mayor: "would you vote for this resolution. MT Whiting, provided the labor troubles were settled
 Mir Whiting: T should I'm as much In favor of a nine hour day now as ever. My opinion on that subject has not changed one jot"
 aTr Chesson: 'I certainly shall not vote for q nine hour day at this meet ing. ! should much prefer to see action deferred until later.H
 Mfr Blakeslee wanted to know what Commissioner Scully meant by the use of the word afraid" adding that no n