The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1903-07-22
ESPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE. /

ESPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
Things have reached a point where
people who are obliged to have work
d me by a mechanic are in hard
luck. Mechanics OF all descriptions
not only demand and receive out
rageous prices for their work, but
they actually dictate terms to the
people for whom they work. A
short time ago the writer had some
hard wood floors laid When the
work was all done except the wax
ing and finishing process, strict or
ders we're given by the contractor
against walking on the floor before
the fnisher was through with his
part of the work Three days
elapsed before the important per-
sonage appeared, during which
time the house was in state of in
describa5le disorder, and the only
explanation for the perpleXing de-
lay was that there was other work
ahead of this. The information was
also volunteered that we should
consider ourselves lucky to get the
work done as soon as it was being
done.
A room needed painting, and a
contract was made with this finish
err to come back at the end of three
days and do the work. After five
days had elapsed he telephoned
| that the labor union would not per-
nit d finisher to do painting, and
that, in consequence, he would
have to throw up his contract.
Soon after, arrangements were
made with a regular painter to dc
the work. Next morning at just
fifteen minutes to nine he arrived.
He was dapper young fellow with
trousers newly creased, rolled up
at the bottom, and held in place by
a very stylish belt. His hair was
worn a la football and he carried in
his gloved hands a leather suit case
which contained hisSworking habili.
ments. On reachings the house he
sat down his case, lighted a cigar.
cite and askedsfor asprivate room in
which to change hist: clothes, Dur,
ing his work he alternately sang
and whistled snatches of the latest
operate airs aud talked in a parrot
like way of actresses,:y yachts, auto
mobiles, etc.
| At 4:3O p. m. he went to his room
changed his clothes, and, bringing
his suit case, was about to depart.
There remained but half hour s
work to complete the job, and he
was asked why he did not do it. He
replied that the labors'union would
not permit membersto work more
than eight hours in day. Wher
it was suggested that from 8:44 te
4:3O, deducting half hour fol
luncheon, lacked!forty-five minutes
of being eight hours, he replied thai
the forty-6ve minutes 0were con.
sumed in travelling, andisthat his
time began when he left home. He
never came back to finish 0his jot
for the reason, as it was learned
that it would be Improbable tt
spend ten cents for car fare to dc
half an hour S work.
**x
By their arbitrary methods anG
unreasonable demands labor unions
are fast getting into disrepute
They have always had the prospect
and sympathy of the great major t.
of people outside of their ranks, bu
they are carrying things with such
a high hand that this sympathy is
on the wane. Many members o.
the union are getting disguised anc
handing in their cards. If things
90 on the way they are now going
it's only a matter of time when the
unions will be crushed by the only
power that is straightforward te
crush them, and that power is pub.
lie sentiment.