The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-03-29
LOCAL LABOR
MEN KEENLY
DISAPPOINTED

II is seldom that such a wave OF indig-
nant disappointment sweeps over the
labor people OF this city and state as has
been aroused by the defeat OF the over
time bill in the Massachusetts legislature.
Although not contemplating the intro
duction OF any such measure during the
present session OF the assembly OF this
state. working conditions in the factories
and shops here are so similar to those In
Massachusetts, that the hope had been
entertained that. after the passage OF the
act there similar reform might be secured
here.
The disappointment II keener from the
fact that IL was the vote OF the labor peo-
Pile that placed a large number Of the
members OF the Massachusetts legislature
in power and the defeat OF this very bill
previously was the cause OF such unanim-
ity at the polls on the part OF the labor
people OF Rhode Islands neishor.
The conditions in the factories and
mills have long been a source OF much
concern on the part OF the labor people,
and II was thought that the overtime bill
was one OF the levers by which change
might be accomplished.
Now that the men who went to the
Massachusetts general assembly by and
only with the consent OF the labor vote
deliberately turned their constituencies
down. the feeling is strong there and here
that labor has few true friends among
the present-day politicians and that the
only way for labor TO achieve any legis-
lation in It's favor is to select candidates
from it's own ranks.
Philip Agnew, a well-known local labor
leader. said today: "The defeat OF that
bill in Massachusetts was a direct blow TO
the labor voters everywhere and shows
that some powerful influences were back
OF the lobby which killed the bill"
George F. Brady of the Central Labor
union OF this city expressed the opinion
that the only thing for labor people TO
do Is TO take the suggestion OF President
Gompers 10 heart and get deeper into
politics. choosing men from their own
ranks 20 represent them.
Mr.. Brady being jeweler, is particu-
larly conversant with the features OF
labor with which the overtime bill was
TO deal or these conditions he said:
Right here In this city we can see the
evil which the overtime bill OF Massa-
chusetts sought to eliminate. There are
certain times during the year when the
Jewelry establishments are forced to work
number OF women and children. 1t Is hard
10 estimate the injury 10 woman's
health and that OF young girls with whom
the factories are filled.
Working in rooms filed with gases
produced by acids and the melting OF met
ais, breathing those gases all day and
then being forced TO return TO them for
a portion OF each night, Is not only
hardship undermining the health OF the
victims. but also a disgrace TO social
institutions that allow It.
There are one or two large establish
ments In the city which. owing to the en-
ployment OF so many children, have be-
come known as the kindergartens.'
A. +. Hoher OF Pawtucket from his po-
sition as organizer Of the textile workers
OF the state. has come into contact with
the same conditions and said:
1T was a legislative disgrace 10 have
had the bill defeated 1t was the ono
thing that the labor people had been
working for for the past IA years"
Thomas +. koarney, the business agent
OF the Carpenters union OF this city. and
secretary OF the state board OF building
trades, +. q. Merrewether OF the build
ing trades Messrs. Coleman. McKeon.
president OF the building trades council:
A. j. Mccormick OF the Plumbers union,
]. H. Cummings OF the Painters, Jesse
Baxendale OF the same union. H. r. Bry-
ant OF the Moliers and large number OF
the lay members OF unions expressed
their keen disappointment over the defeat
OF the bill. and also voiced the determln
alton to get into politics and " neces-
sary form another party in order to se-
cure rights and aws for the benefit of the
working masses