New-York tribune., 1903-07-24
MORE UNION GRAFT.
FINES" FOR EMPLOYERS.
Queer Methods ReUeaIed IN the Trial
of Murphy.


Of the stonecutters' Union. before Judge New
burger in Part II, Special Sessions, bids fair TO
bring out a story Of blackmail and extortion on
the part Of the labor leaders which will over
shadow the main interest OF the trial. and even
go beyond anything that has been charged in the
case of Sam Parks Murphy's lawyer threatens
TO tell Of the collection Of sums aggregating more
than 10000 in the form OF assessments from
building trade employers by threats Of strikes or
TO settle strikes
The first case brought to light is the payment
TO the members of the secret committee" of the
union Of $4,000 by the Brooklyn Stone Dealers
Association, through Andrew ]. Baird The story
as told by Mr.. Baird is that for eight years,
up to March. 1902 the boss stonecutters in Brook
lyn had succeeded in getting along very well with
their men by keeping them in a union by them
selves and keeping them away from the Journey
man Stonecutters Union. The men were getting
the highest wages paid for that class of work, and
resisted all efforts induce them to join the other
union. But In March, by some inducement, they
were persuaded to join and the next day were
ordered out a strike. the first in over eight
years. The excuse given that the employers
had, by hiring these while they were scabs,
violated the rules of the union, and must be pun
ished. The striking stonecutters objected TO the
order but when shown the rules of the union saw
nothing else TO do.
The employers protested that they were willing
10 employ the men as members of the union, but
the committee said that that was not the point;
that they had hired the men when they were not
members OF the union. and had. accordingly been
fined" $4,000. The committee added that work
could not be resumed until the money had been
paid. Most of the employers had heavy contracts
on hand, after dckering compromise
effected for $1,000 A check made pay
able to Lawrence Murphy. and given to
committee of four men, two of whom named
Cauld and McGovern.
The following is part Of the cross examination OF
John McKeon, recording treasurer of the union:
Q.--were Donald Call, when he got 81 sos on; John
Boyle, when he got A6O8 o.; ]. r. Smithson, when
he got s1e02 80; Walter Pudney when he got s15l5,
and John Fitzpatrick. when he got a,5o2 members
Q-what was this $4,000 for? A.-Expenses of the
Q.:-what were the expenses of the strike? Al
don't know exactly. believe there was $1,000 for
Q.-Do you know MI Smalberger? A.-Yes.
Q;-What did you get from him, $4,000? Al
o.-po you know Mr.. Rubenstein A-Yes. I
Don't you know that the secret committee
called on on him, wretchedly poor man. ana ,5 ex5
il the world and he Signed a Promissory note Tor
He paid 1t to the he sent for. Daniel Call.
The treasurer OF the union got the note .,
sums of IS and $40 from Rubenstein on the head of
the n9te2 Ahere was S $50 & PAID noas last
sputHteworh s2S; from so Peacock in East one
Odd you not, as treasurer, receive $3.50 on
February 28 1902 e og from @ " S Roth Of BroQdkyn d3
Company? A.-Yes, but the association got these
sums
John Boyle, a MEMBER OF the secret committee,
told of the reception Of the $4,000 check by Call,
Henry Fuellback and himself. when they met the
Stone Employers in Brooklyn He said that he
saw Andrew D. Baird hand the check to Call. He,
in turn gave it to the financial secretary, Fitz-
patrick who gave It to Lawrence Murphy. the
treasurer.
Asked Mr.. Mcintyre:
Q-You were there when Baird paid Cali $4,000?
Odd you not demand $4,000? A-No.
O-TWenty-iVe thousand doiarS2 Al heard
some such sum mentoned
Q.-But $1,000 was paid? Ayes.
Q.-Was it not said that you would roast them
for $1,000? Al heard it.
Q--What did you ask them for7 A.-They offered
s. 900 at first and we asked for $4,000 as fair
amount for our expenses. We finally settled
CwDid not Mr. Call tell Mr. Baird that until he
paid $1,000 none Of them could return to work?
Old Murphy tell you that Jack Black got
s. 900 him under pretencs Of authority, Trail
s. OC0. John Fitzpatrick $500 and Jack DAILY 800?
Odd you know Richard CarvilI the delegate
recently indicted for extortion7 Ayes, slightly
! Q.-How much of the money did he get; the money
that you biackmailed those people out Of? A
! None of il.
| Q.-How much money did you have with the
| Surety Company? Anime thousand dollars.
ON whose name was that deposited? An
the names Of six men-Cal Murphy, Tutney, Smith
son, Fitzpatrick and myself.
Q:-Didnt those checks refer 10 a division OF the
! spoils? A.-Not spoils
Q.-Yet you got these checks for 81 500, put them
| IN your pockets and went away? A.-Yes.
passed a resolution voting yourselves 81, sos for
| wees to be rendered? Ayes that is
Q.-And that is the way Murphy got his money?
A.-Yes.
At this point court adjourned until this morning
! at 10 o'clock.