New-York tribune., 1907-09-23
UNIONS FACE FRAWLEl.
Il PEACEMAkER.
Bridge Builders HurL VolLsy OF
Questions-LaborM Mem Gain Point.

The privilege Of the floor given yesterday ny
the Central Federated Union to State senator
James J. FrawIey. He answered statements mac
by unions that his firm. the Williams Enslneerlns
Company. employed non-unton at the fihe
street anchorage OF the Manhattan Bridge anu d.
the Blackwelrs Island Bridge
There seemed to be good deal OF feeling against
the Williams Engineering Company, and senaloi
Fravley had face fusiilade Of questions some
Of which were put in hostile way, but kept ms
temper well throughout the debate. One OF the
statements which had been made by the unions was
that Senator Patrick H McCarren had an interest
in the firm.
1.-The statements that Senator McCarren is IN the
company or has any interest IN it brand as hes
pure and simple" said Senator FraWley- ne 10
only a member Of the company which gave the
bond for the contract. 1 am plasterer py lrddc
myself and have been for fifteen years an employ
ing contractor but have only one-stxth interest III
this firm. I can challenge any man to prove that
We are not paying the highest union wages re-
fused the request Of a number of men TO employ
man named Johnson as foreman.
Johnson he said went TO the Commissioner OF
Bridges make complaint against our nrIl- L
told him that 1 would kick him from here 70 Har-
lem If he ever came near my office again Though
we have always paid the highest wages and have
always been a union employer. we have forrele
of 500 a day face because your delegates look
off the job
Senator Frawley was then asked a number or
man being arrested
THAT was because he pulled the fire from below
a boiler while derricks swinging in the air.
causing a great deal Of danger" he said. This
was as dirty trick could have been played
We have TO protect ourselves from your delegates
and from the police
He was asked questions from delegates in every
part Of the hall principally TO the effect that he
pledge himself to see that but union men
be employed by the firm. His reply was that
only union wages paid He called on the
delegates TO testify that he had always been
friend 10 the labor union. Matthew McConville of
the Safety Engineers Union. with apparent reluct-
auce admitted that the Senator appeared TO he
friendly 20 labor and tried to get union conditions
This he said did not apply 10 the rest OF the firm
In reply TO a question from the delegate Of the
Brotherhood of Carpenters TO whether non-unon
carpenters employed, Senator F'rawley said
that he supposed carpenters were dock builders.
Then you ought to know the wages the dock
builders should get" said James J. Daily, of the
Dock Builders Union. You know what can do
to you"
Il don't want to hear any of your threats In
terrupted Senator Frawley. becoming nettled. You
know perfectly we'll that my record is good
employer of union labor"
After the delegates and Senator Frawley hau
been talking at cross purposes for some time. he
said that II committee sent 10 thy firm 10
ask for the employment of only union men. he
would every influence he possessed to have
but union men employed This appeared TO be
ceptable, and committee appointed for the
purpose