New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-01-23
UNION LOSES FIGHT
BELGIAN DIAMOND CUT
TIERS ADMITTED.
Had Been Held at Ellis Island on
Charge Of Violating Contract
Labor Lac.

Washington Jan. 22-By virtue OF an impor-
tant decision affecting the diamond cutting and
polishing industry of this country rendered by
the Department OF Commerce and Labor to-day
eight Belgian diamond cutters. whom the Dia-
rnond workers Protective Union OF America
succeeded in having detained at Ellis Island on
the charge that they had been brought to this
country in violation of the contract labor law.
are allowed TO enter the United States. The de-
cision holds that the Diamond Workers Union
of this country is "un-American in character. in
that il Is composed almost exclusively OF for
eigners and it's stringent rules practically pro
hibit Americans from becoming members by
limiting the number OF apprentices that can be
taken into the trade to 10 per cent of the total
membership
Although about 80 per cent OF the worlds
diamonds are sold in this country. according to
evidence submitted there are only 325 diamond
workers here. all members of the American
union. whereas there are about twenty thousand
in Antwerp and Amsterdam. The union. IL was
asserted. In the hearing has succeeded in keep
ing others from coming in.
The union. which heretofore has been inNul-
uerable, will now cease TO. be factor In CON
trolling diamond labor in this country ana
thousands Of Americans will now learn the
trade" said Milton c. Ansorge. Of Ne" YORK
who represented the Belgian government In the
case.
Baron Moncheur. the Belgian Minister. when
informed Of the decision tonight, expressed MS
Measure. and declared that IT would be the
means OF permitting hundreds of his country
men. skilled diamond workers TO come to TINS
country where they could obtain better work
and better wages.
The eight Belgans have been held at Elhs
island since December %. Five days later 'he
board OF immigration commissioners heio they
could not be admitted. An appeal was made 10
the Department Of Commerce and Labor ana
there was a rehearing of the case
It is held In the decision that "the testimony
of the aliens would not in the slightest degree
indicate that any offer OF employment had been
made 10 them or that their migration is any
thing but the elimination OF natural desire TO
come to this country, where they would doubt
less find ready employment at their calhng at
from, two TO four or Ave times the wages they
were able to earn in their own country II Is
added that "a very determined effort seems 10
have been made by the Diamond Workers
Union in Antwerp well as in this country.
to secure the rejection or these ooyS upon III
rival at New York
Ell do not believe" said Mr. Ansorge tonight.
that there will be any further effort made by
the union to keep diamond cutters and poiishers
out 1t means that their union is broken up,
for there are plenty OF workmen abroad who
will now come here. and the union Will not De
able. because OF the competition to restrict us
members as 1t has done in the past one large
diamond cutting firm in this country is ready to
,,.a arnnIovrneut to about two Thousand men.
Now IT will be able to get them The gates
have been thrown open, too, To hundreds OF
roune Americans who want to learn the trade"
. commissioner Watchorn the decision says,
while making no specific Recommendation TO the
department, expressed the opinion that aohis-
SION OF the aliens would be violation OF the
shirt OF the contract labor law.