The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-13
IRREGULARITIES STATEMENT.
Union Gives Its Side Of Strike on New
Y. Nj. c. A. Building.

The following statement by the brick
layers and stone masons' union concern
ing the trouble at the new Z. NJ. G. A.
building has been issued:
To the Editor Of the State Journal:
With the approval Of Bricklayers' and
Masons' J. U. No. 3 (1Gr. Keesee's import
ed men included) we brand the state
ments IN Mr. keesee's interview published
in the State Journal of December 10 as
being without foundation in facts and
as being a WillfuI Misrepresentation,
sinister in motive, intended to poison the
public against the union and organized
labor.
The charge of a plot against imported
bricklayers by the home men is rot
as an imported or rather an outside man,
if a union man, has the same relative
standing in the union that a local mem
Der has and no such undermining work
by any member or group of members
would be tolerated or countenanced by
the union.
All local men are employed or have
Jobs to go to and none are falling over
themselves to get on the z. NJ. Q. A.
work. We trust the outside bricklayers
viii remain on the job so long as the
work lasts and conditions are cOng9nial
To prove the above mentioned charge
is Off color the union on October 2 elect
ed an outside man as presiding officer
for the ensuing six months which proves
the bricklayers and masons are broader
credit for being.
The statement Mr.. Keesee makes that
he has not or does not employ home
bricklayers (Which would not be to his
credit were it true) is incorrect as facts
and figures will prove. Out of u brick
layers he employs 8 who are of home
products, but only one of his impOrta-
ton. Three came at the request of a
member of the union
To them it was simply a. matter of
ur0fr7cr To IN "a A II
house or reform school.
Referring to the past, the manual
training school was subcOutracted by
the firm of Barber & Keesee. The men
employed during the entire course of its
construction were engaged and paid by
the senior member of the firm who had
entire charge of the brick and stone
work OF fifteen or more briclxiayers
employed continuously all were home
men but three and one of these has since
been a resident of Topeka.
The unpleasantness which occurred on
Saturday was simply mason setting
stone for 45 cents an hour which is recOg-
nized and conceded as brick work, Is
it comes under the head of cut stone
trimming, and is done throughout the
United States and Canada by bricklay-
ers. The brieklayers quit work, went
down the ladder and were followed by
the mason a few minutes later.
The men reported for work at p. m
and were told Dy MT. heeSeS 10 80 10
work and the setting of cut stone has
since been done by a bricklayer.
Mr.. Keesee did discharge Mr.. George
Fisher. but when informed by the
steward on the job that the bricklayers
would suspend work until Monday even
ing, Mr.. Keesee reinstated MI. Fisher
who declined as he thought the position
would be untenable under the circum-
stances.
The point at issue having been con-
ceded he decided to go to work on an
other job.
The man discharged was not q deputy
organizer or agitator as the statement
would imply but was deputy whose
duty was to see that the I. u laws were
carried out.
The brfcklayers and masons are work
ing under same charter and meet as one
body and can say that Mr.. Keesee has
not the open support of q, single mason
in the union, when it comes to an issue
of the kind occurring on Saturday last
The members of this union have work
ed in harmony with contractors all sea-
son and it is the desire Of the members
individually and as a body that the
past pleasant relations with the con-
tractors be maintained in the future.
COMMITTEE 3. NJ. I. i. No. 3.