New-York tribune., 1906-03-26
BOMB FOR LABOR MEN.
Letter from Iron League Leader
SfartIes Federated Union.

An ,,rroar was caused At Yesterdays meeting Of
the Central Federated Union by the reading OF a
letter 10 Assemblyman Thomas Rock. the author OF
she Rock Eight Hour bili from f. F. Mlliken OF
Nnliken Bros members OF the Iron League. I'm
which while opposing the proposed eght-hour law,
Mr.. Muliken makes a scathing arraignment OF the
labor unions and their leaders.
The reading Of the letter followed a report by
Michael Fitzgerald. delegate Of tho Letter Carriers
Union. as chairman of committee sent by the
Central Federated Union 20 Albany 10 aEitate in
favor Of the Rock bill He explained that he merely
turned in the letter part of his report
The letter Of Nr AiiIliken attacks the Rock Eight
Hour bin as opposed % AT constitutional ideas and
fairness Of dealing a. between employer and en-
ploye the structural ironwork. he said. II would
be inrracticahle. as some branches Of the work
had 10 he continuously done irrespective or the
hours Win such law in operation. he said. many
manufacturers would find il impossible 10 under
take municipal or state contracts. for the reason
that Il would uecessirate changes iu the whole sys
TEN n manufacturers As 70 the prevailing rate of
wages laV. he said thar it had simply tendency
70 pul down good WorlH'en TO the level Of the poor
v.orEren.
He could speak feelingly on the matter he said.
as hts firm had than its fair share of combat
ting the vaEaries and the crimes OF labor leaders
TIE late sam Parks ne continued. was the
delegate in the structural iron industry with whom
sor some years our firm was obliged to deal. We
are having a strike in industry since the first
of the year. and for the character Of Parks's sue
cessors IN leadership VIC refer you TO the daily
17ress These conditions entailed us. for three
wears n fight which cost US individually between
81 On and 10000 directly. and cost the building
f1d,rstr-- IN this city millions Of dollars directly
and indirectly and the loss Of enormous sums 10 the
zeal estate and investing interests, and occupied
The attention of men or affairs ior months 10 tle
exclusion Of more profitable matters
80 tlan said THAI the strikes Tor the present year
had auprecia ble effect in stopping building, com
Ta-rl former strikes. but the dynamitng and
other acts o. violence appeared 10 be worse than
evsu The FiEhf-H0ur law, II granted, would not
vRrr7ruE nine hours day would work eight hours
fnr eight hours pay They would demand the pay
that they getting previously. Nearly all the
= h0- laws were illogical and based upon the ap-
yarart idea that labor was a fixed quantity.
Here some Of the delegates began 10 get restive
tro- did not Ike tie letter one Of them
stop Tho letter and give rs the name Of the
writer that As All that want The rest Of the
delegates wanted 20 hear IL through Il concluded
follows.
I'VE arc opposed root and branch 70 anything
end everything favorable 10 the unions they are
snd have been conducted. because they illogical
end ir1p-scriCable very largely hUrtful I'm their
Inn ard esSFrcT. and vicious and often criminal IN
IEefr practical working OUT
some Of she delegates were angry when the let
vas read. Others said that they could stand II
Fr5 shat Tho statements were not true There was
discussion 10 what should be done with the
letter and several propositions made but were
-0r agreed Finally Il was decided 10 file the let
ger. H1r the report Of the committee was accepted
PaEe for rha interest ne took i'm the Rock Eight
Hour fiI Resolutions were also passed thanking
81 members Of the Senate and Assembly who hSd
shown themselves friendly 10 labor bills.