Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-04-30
THE TRACY BILL.
Opponents of the Measure Heard at Hartford Yesterday-..AttOr.
 ney GuiIfOiIe'S Argument.

providing for the incorporation of trades unions, was called in the hall of the house of representatives at Hart ford yesterday afternoon. The opposi- tion opened after Senator Bradstreetan- nounced that John W. filling of New Haven would close in support of the bill. Attorney Guilfoile represented | the labor unions of this city and he walked on the toes of Seantor Brad street several times, and in conse- quence the senator, who is chairman of the committee interrupted MT Guil- foile several times during his speech. MT Bradstreet didn't like tofbe told that the bill was too weighty matter for his committee to handle and that it should have gone to the judiciary, and he showed his displeasure on several 1 occasions. 4* Attorney Guilfoile said that he did not expect to solve social, economic or legal questions i'll his remarks, though some of the legal problems ought to have more consideration. Mir Guilfoile said that these matters ought to have been brought before trained men, to which Senator Bradstreet replied that he must take the committee as he found 1 it and proceed with his remarks.
 
 have gone to the judiciary committee, 1 which led Senator Bradstreet to say 1 that other lawyers had had confidence enough in the committee to argue the bill before it. MT Guilfoile then said | that the bill had been considered be- fore public meeting in Waterbury and he had then stated that it was un- l fair to labor. It was not intended to be fair. His impression of it was that it was drawn after the trouble in Wa terbury and hastily drawn by people | who did not understand what effect it would have. It was an attempt to pun l ish labor for what was thought to have happened in Waterbury. What violence did occur did not meet with the appro- bation of any citizens. What actually did happen was greatly exaggerated even by local newspapers. After look ing over the bill he wondered if it's sup porters were in earnest. He did not question the sincerity of Senator Tracy, nobody who knew him would do that, but he must have mistaken ideas l If the bill passed it would open up vast economic problems, which could not easily be settled Incorporation could now be had under the general law and the people would think twice before either incorporating under this OF, making any contracts under it. 1 The labor unions of Waterbury which he represented were opposed to l 1t. Touching on the matter of the no- l tice to be given of strikes and Iockouts, MT Guilfoile gave history of the causes leading up to the strike in Wa 1 terbury, saying that the trolley com pany had ample warning of the strike. l The manager refused to make any | promises to the men. The president of the union repeatedly met the manager and pleaded for some concession. The ] general impression which still remains l is that the company wanted the strike. 1 Whent came itsstid not create much 1 inconvenience. Everything was peace | full for some time and when stones be- l gan to be thrown they were not thrown 1 by the strikers. The riot was small one, and the rioters were hoodlums, ] who were not members of the union. The men who caused strikes were re- l sponsible and in this case the burden must lie on the man who refused to lis ten to the complaints of the employees. MT Guilfoile then argued to show that the provision calling for notice of strikes or lockouts was unconstitution- al Senator Bradstreet suggested that 4 if Mir Guilfoile's argument was cor roboratiye it would not be necessary for him to again go over the ground l covered by previous speakers.
 MT Guilfoile then referred to the sec tion requiring thirty days notice of strike by men employed by public ser vice corporations. holding that it was I unnecessary. If passed it would for | Oysf14 nf r1iCiYa aoJ ship.
 There was no need of the bill and it's passage would be an insult to labor The people of the state did not want the law. There was already legislation enough. MT Guilfoile started to allude to the feeling in Waterbury and was \ checked by Senator Bradstreet. who said that the argument was not ger I mane. MT Guilfoile said that he ought to be heard, to which Senator Brad street replied that he might speak this morning if anyone would hear him. MT Guilfoile closed
 F c. J. Danaher of Meriden said the first question which should be consid- cred was, was there any need of such a law, and second, who demanded it? There had not been any appearance in favor of the bill from any employer, except the senator who introduced it, and who marked it ''by request be- cause he did not care to take the odium which would attach to it. No one rep resenting the Consolidated road appear ed for it, nor was there any appearance from the electric roads, steamboat com panies or telegraph companies. MT All ling, wh6 would close for the bill, was interested in telephone company, but that was the only appearance from any corporation. No workingman had ap- peared for it. The bill originally was entitled "an act for the protection of labor" The present bill was the third of series of substitutes, and it had changed its title somewhat and had secured the approval of the state's at. torney for New Haven county. Half the bill had nothing to do with the in- corporation of trades unions, but thirty nine distinct criminal offenses were ere ated. The bill should have gone to the judiciary committee, whose members 1z.-- I'M