The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-29
SEVERE CHARGES MADE
CENTRAL LABOR COMMITTEES VISIT
TO THE POOR FARM.
Is Poor-Tobacco Question and
Other Matters.

trail Labor Union 10 investigate the con-
ditions at the county poor farm. last night
made its report TO the central body. The
investigation was due TO the recent order
OF the County Commissioners prohibiting
the inmates from smoking. The reason given
was that the buildings were not safe and
there was danger of fire. In the discuss
| ion IL was decided to have the committee
| make an investigation of general condi-
tons, and if the buildings were UNIT for
use. to ask the commissioners and the
county council TO abandon them and erect
new ones. NJ T Butler, chairman of the
committee. made a verbal report which
will be transcribed, with a recommendation
for relief from conditions found existing
there and submitted to the next session
of the central abor body for adoption.
The committee made recommen-
dations, Butler said, because the condition
| found was so deplorable that he thought
any action of the committee might be con-
| sidered too bitter. He said the beef gwen
the inmates was of poor quality, was tough
and poorly cooked; that none of the food
was palatable and one vegetable was given
at a meal, although the farm abounded IN
| plenty He said there are several hundred
| chickens al the poor farm, but one or the
| the yard Concerning fruit, he said an
other inmate told him all they saw OF IT
| was in the orchard. There is also fine
| vineyard" said Butler, but they tell me
| the grapes are made into wine and that Is
the last they see of them.
SMOKE GRAPE LEAVES.
On the tobacco question, he said inmates
| had pulled grape leaves and dried them TO
smoke. He said one man had secured the
country for mullen leaves to smoke.
When we went in at the gate con-
tinued Butler, I'VE found a man standing
there as if he were gatekeeper. l asked
| him what he was doing and he replied, 7
| waiting here to bum piece of tobacco
| That was on a rainy day, and they tell me
| on a clear day, men can be found all
/ around the gateway, waiting to bum to-
bacco from someone. One man said to me,
| just you throw down the stump of a cigar
and see what scramble there will be for
| it"
Butler went on TO say that the inmates
| informed him that conditions are gradually
| getting worse; that the medical attention
! was poor and that there was mismanage-
| ment. He also told of paralytic who was
| helpless and said he had been neglected.
| I'VE saw their supper" said Butler, but
IL was explained TO us that supper is a
| light meal" If supper is a light meal, and
| any of their meals are much lighter
| hardly think there would be anything. l
| was told that when the charity organiza-
! tons and newspaper reporters go to the
! poor farm, they never get any further than
| the superintendent office and his dining
room. But we got beyond it and saw the
real thing And now l want to say IL there
! has been mismanagement out there, ii is
our fault and we should look into the mat
| ter
Elwood Sands, another member Of the
| committee, said he went TO the commits
soners but get little satisfaction from
| them. He said they told him they did not
| cut tobacco off to save expenses, but for
the safety of the premises and that was
John F. White. of the Typographical
| Union, moved that the report be received
| as progress and that it be transcribed by
| the committee with recommendation at
tached, and submitted at the next meeting
OF the central body. Butler then said the
cause 1t might be too severe. George Gus
ter. of the Iron Molders, said the committee
had visited the poor farm and was better
| prepared to make recommends lions consid-
| cred necessary TO remedy the evils than the
| central body, and it should do it. The mo-
| ton then carried.
Delegate Biessenherz, of the Musicians
Union. announced that the fine of $500 and
expulsion from union imposed on Montani
| Brothers Orchestra more than year ago
for playing In the jurisdiction of other
unions had been cut down by the recent
convention of the Federation of Musicians
and that it had been paid and the orchestra
reinstated.
ASSESSMENT INDORSED.
The action Of the executive board in rec
ommending a levy of per cent. week on
|
labor in the city for the support of the
striking coal miners in the anthracite
field was Endorsed, with the following ap-
peal:
THE object of this circular is to seek
your assistance in raising a fund TO help
the United Mine Workers of America in
their struggle for justice In the anthracite
ccal regions. II is not necessary to recount
to you the grievances that led up to the
present controversy between the Mine
Workers Union and the coal barons of
the East, as il is a fair supposition that all
organized labor is quite familiar with the
conditions and circumstances of the miners
strike, and their recent convention held in
this city
"It is sufficient to say this is the fight of
organized labor, and organized labor owes
il to itself to see that the miners who are
now out strike and standing faithfully
by the principles of organized labor shall
be protected and supported.
THE officials of the United Mine Workers
of America have estimated that $500, 00C per
week will be necessary TO maintain this
strike. In order to raise this vast amount
of money every loyal and patriotic union
man in this country will be expected not
only to contribute his pro rata share but
also interest himself In placing this con-
trOversy before the general public in such
a manner to elicit sympathy and pecu-
MARY support. Organized labor must win
this contest If 1t hopes for future ex-
istence.
1.-The payment of all assessments or dona-
tons will be made through the regular
financial officers of Central Labor Union,
or may be left with d. L. Stoddard finan-
cial secretary, 32S West Raymond street. -
A tilt was had between the Typogra phical
Union and the pressmen, over a request
presented by the Pressfeedrs Union, that
no printing houses be patronized by organ
lied labor that were not unionized in every
department. The scrap was over the use
of the label, to which the printers claim
jurisdiction. Edgar A. Perkins moved to
refer to the Printing Trades Allied Council
for settlement, saying the Central Labor
Union had nothing TO do with the contro-
versy After considerable wrangling, in
which the pressmen said they once had
whipped the printers, Perkins's motion
carried.
George Custer and Edgar A. Perkins were
appointed to assist the trustees in revising
the constitution and bylaws of the Central
Labor Union.
The Painters Union had a statement
! read which said that hereafter it would
not recognize any settlement agreement
made by the central body affecting the
| painters and the amalgamated woodwork
| ers. II said the local differences had been
adjusted by the international officers. Elk
ception was taken to the report, on the
| ground that Secretary Thomas l. Kidd. OF
the amalgamated woodworkers, had not