The Washington herald., 1907-02-04

ton taken by those bodies. James Cliff
ford, president OF the Derby Central
Labor Union (ConnecticuO, and. It is said
one of the politically influential men in
the city, acting on a communication from
the committee sent a telegram 10 their
Congressman, Representative Lilly, ask
Ing him to give the item his support. In
reply ne received letter. it is said
asking him il he was acquainted with the
fact that every addition TO the gun fac
tory az Washington means just so much
business taken away from the gun shops
at Derby, Bridgeport, Hartford, and New
Haven, ''in our own State" and that it
was the policy of the Navy Department
to avoid letting out by contract any more
work
This letter was forwarded to the local
central body. and p. J. COnlon. vice
president. forwarded a reply TO be sent
to Congressman Lilly. This was. in part
as follows:
The bill pending before Congress to
establish foundry in connection with
the naval gun factory in Washington
viii In no wise interfere with work done
by private contractors In Derby, Bridge
port. Hartford, and New Haven
For many years the Bethlehem and
Midvale Steel companies have had a prac-
teal monopoly in furnishing large cast
ings for s. T. and IL inch guns for naval
ordnance. There has been no other COM
petition. and the company has not only
done foundry work. but has had these
castings roughed down TO very near size
As consequence Of placing machinery
for roughing Of these castings. they have
gradually equipped their esta blishment to
9V md
have therefore taken away from the
naval gun factory at Washington a large
amount OF work they once enjoyed.
work Done in Pennsylvania.
This work is being done at Bethlehem
and at Philadelphia on a ten-hour basis.
from rates ranging from 27lk 10 80 cents
per hour while the rates paid at the naval
gun factory at Washington are from g. 70
to 81 for an eight-hour workday.
You can readily appreciate that the
government is badly handicapped COM
peting with these firms that arc doing this
cheap work on long-hour day, and
Congress insists upon them competing
against these firms. OF course they can
not make an estimate on the completed
job, owing TO the fact that they are not
equipped with the foundry
1T is our opinion that If Congress will
pass the bill now pending before that
body. equipping the naval gun factory
with a foundry. il viii be the means OF
giving work To between 80 and 410 mold
ers. and perhaps that many more ma
chinists an rates that could never be
hoped for at the Midvale steel Company
or the Bethlehem Steel Company. and will
place Uncle Sam on a basis independently
Of the United States Steel Corporation,
or the 'billiOn-d0llar trust
'Of course there is a great pressure
brought to bear by the United States
Steel Corporation TO see that this bin does
not pass, and ! trust from the foregoing
ycu can see that its passage will in no
way affect the work that is being done in
the different cities in Connecticut. be
cause there Is no city ~ that State that
is at present furnishing castings as heavy
as required by the government for S, ID.
and j. inch guns
Much similar correspondence for the
enlightenment of other Congressman is
in the hands Of the committee.