The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-08
NEWS OF LABOR UNIONS
CORRUPTION N NEW YORK nor con-
FINED TO POLITICS.
walking Delegates Ride on Backs of
Organized PaInters-GeneraI
Labor Notes.


nicipaI administration. The depIorable con-
dition Of the metropolis has been laid to
politics but the labor organizations have
their troubles there. too. and the alleged
corrupt methods are along the same line
that characterized the Tammany regime.
Labor unions have had no end Of trouble in
fighting the Socialist Labor Alliance.
branch Of the Socialist Labor party. whose
ambition is n tear down organized labor.
II is noted that some particular organiza-
ton usually becomes involved in these con
troversies. and the Cigar Makers Union
has suffered most from the Socialist LaCOr
Alliance. This old fight is now waning, but
another and more bitter one is on between
the Brotherhood OF Painters, Decorators
and Paperhangers Of America and the
Amalgamated Painters Society.
Jacob Tazelaar, a national organizer for
the brotherhood. who has been in New
York in the interest Of his organization. in
the last issue OF the official journal Of the
painters. decorators and paperhangers,
writes a scathing rebuke OF the Painters
Society, and charges II with the most vicious
practices. He says:
ITO one not on the ground and an eye
witness. 80 IS impossible 10 describe the ex-
act conditions OF New York city So much
writer II seems entirely superfuOus to use
up space and valuable time in going into
details regarding our conflict. II Is only
question OF time and the whole labor move
ment outside Of New York city will be
compelled TO take a hand In the matter.
The present board OF delegates in New
York are so arbitrary in their methods of
doing business that they do not only dis
eliminate in favor OF local society or
painters but have actually begun TO fight
members OF their own national organization
from out-of-town cities. In other words
II is openly stated that goods manufac-
turned By union men outside OF New YORK
will not be permitted TO be placed IN
building in New York unless the owner
agrees to pay tribute TO the board OF bust
ness agents, who, for the stipulated price
as set by them, agree 10 release the pan,
or more properly called the conspiracy. 1t
has been made public, and not oontradicted
80 far, that a demand was made on a
builder IN New York for $4,000 before the
board or business agents would permit him
10 put IN the building uniOn-made doors,
castings. etc, manufactured in another
city.
This practically substantiates the
charges so often made, that, through brtb-
cry. the Amalgamated painters have been
able TO hold their own and that recognition
for them in the board was practically
bought. Notwithstanding all the backing
they have in New York, they are weaken
Ing and losing ground, and are compelled
10 send their men TO outlying cities 10
sCab on Brotherhood men. a single adver-
tisement in one issue of a morning paper
y. J., 10 work for $3.50 per day, while the
New Jersey scale is $3.50, brought 155
Amalgamated men.
THE condition of our trade in New York
IS horrible. 1 can truthfully state that out
side Of a few decorating shops, there eX-
fists in New York no such thing as scale
Of wages, and 1t has been repeatedly
stated that majority OF men pay per-
centage of the wages they earn TO the
walking delegates. This condition cannot
last long, and would terminate tomorrow
AZ some one would only be courageous
enough 10 stand up and lead the Amalga-
mated men, as great majority are In Ia
vOr Of the Brotherhood and honest bust-
ness. believe that the fight would be one
of short duration were we TO compel all
New York firms TO take Amalgamated
painters with them to do work outside of
New York city The building trades would
then strike against them and consequently
the firms would be compelled to suspend
work. There are a great many large en-
plOyers who use Brotherhood men outside
of New York and Amalgamated men in
New York. This ought TO be stopped i'm
mediately, because 1t helps TO continue the
struggle. / believe while in this
fight IL would be much better to make
clean Job of IL and do IL quick. Halfway
measures must be given up. No more split
ting OF hairs must be resOrted 10. We must
come out boldly before the great army Of
organized wOrkingmen and expose the cor
rupt and dishonest practices of a band Of
cOnspiratOrs that are in the labor move
ment solely for gain.
COMMITTEE THE WHOLE THING.
You will ask yourself can such a state
OF affairs be possible? 1t is true. yes. abso-
lutely true. Several of the poor fellows
who compose the Amalgamated Painters
Society have admitted 10 me that they are
Inundated. afraid 10 express their opinion
or they would have heavy fines placed on
them. IN the city OF Brooklyn. where the
Amalgamated Society has Il branch the
members or that branch have no voice
whatever in the disposal of the funds. but
are represented through delegate IN the
executive committee OF what they term the
main branch IN New York. The executive
committee does all the handy work for all
the branches The giving out of libraries
ca Ia Caruegie). distributing the corruption
fund. paying the host of hangers-on around
Headquarters. furnishing money TO send
scabs 10 Eastern cities 10 take the places
OF cur brothers on strike.
There are hundreds of men IN the Anal
gamated Painters Society who. it is al
legged. exist purely on the sCrapings thrown
from the refuse OF the big bosses who are
on the inside circle. IL IS pitiful 10 watch
the faces OF some OF them waiting for
"Davy' or ''Biuy' 10 come around to get
the price" Brother Kiigus informs me that
5000 was paid the New York walking dele
gates 10 strike jobs against the varnishers
during the recent trouble with that organi-
zation IN New York. When the branches
meet the big financier OF the anna gamated
attends the meeting accompanied by one of
the walking delegates and takes up every
dollar paid by the men Our readers will
understand that the branch members can
not handle a single penny OF their own
money, and. stranger still. a member OF
the Brooklyn or Bronx branch cannot work
tn New York city Manhattan borough
without paying an extra initiation fee How
would our brothers I'm ST. Louis Chicago.
Denver or Pittsburg feel If their cards We're
only good In a certain part OF their own
city. or suppOsing brother from Engle-
wood. Chicago. would be sent 10 coat a
room at the Briggs House. on Randolph
street. and the walking delegate would in
form him his card was no good in that part
OF the city unless he put up (as they term
u here an extra So What a revolution
would occur I'm the West How long would
one OF our Western local unions connected
with our district councils stand for such
conduct? Selnshness reigns here supreme.
the broad. liberal spirit that is the founda-
tior OF decent trades unionisu Is never
thought OF. a desire for money. get II how
you can and IN any manner possible. this
IS the instructions received By the walking
boss when h Is engaged and put TO work
The leaders OF the Anna gamated Painters
have no regard for the sufferings OF others;
their hearts never open 10 the struggles OF
our brothers in other cities for better con-
ditions As long they can raise money
Tor their own ends they are satisfied: the
rest OF the country may go 10 the dogs as
far as they are concerned They have NO
respect Tor our institutions. no regard for
the past history OF our forefathers: the
Declaration or Independence to them is a
myth q musty document. "A "a BILE As one
Of them described our country's flag 10 me