The San Francisco call., 1909-07-09
PAY CHECK SYSTEM
STYLED INFAMOUS
Attorney Matt Sullivan Says
Some Penalty Should Be
Inflicted on Offenders
Representative Men Will Give
Opinions of Gray Bros
Methods Today

The pay check system is an in
famous method which ought to be sup
pressed Any employer who takes such
an advantage of laboring men should
be submitted to the sternest censure.
There ought to be law enacted which
would require the full payment of
wages when due, and which would pre-
vent the issuance of checks for future
payment of wages already earned. A
severe penalty should be inflicted on
all employers of labor who resort to
such detestable action. tement
made yesterday by Attorney Matt l..
Sullivan in speaking of the method of
Gray Brothers in paying their labor
ers.
tenn of the stone contracting firm of
Gray Brothers Is anticipated today
when prominent federal, state, county
and city officials will testify at the
inquest in the case of Carolina Braseh,
the young girl book keeper for Gray
Brothers, who was murdered in their
office nine days ago.
CONDEMN PAY CHECK SYSTEM
Many of those who have been sub
penaed as witnesses by Coroner Leland
have expressed themselves as con-
I
Brothers as being outrageous, and they
place much of the responsibility for
the death of Miss Brascn at that firm s
door.
Among those who will appear as a
witness today will be Attorney General
Webb. While General Webb has de-
clined to express any opinion in the
present case he did state yesterday
that such abuse OF the rights of en-
| ployes and such injustice should not be
countenanced. He condemned this sys-
tenn of payment in very strong terms.
City Attorney Percy V. Long con-
! tends that Gray Brothers have prac-
ticed the cheapest KIND of extortton.
and it is expected that he will not
mince words today if he takes the
stand to express his views on the
action of Gray Brothers.
GRAY BROTHERS SUMMONED
| Subpenaes were issued yesterday aft
ernoon for both members of the firm
of Gray Brothers.
| Doctor Leland said last night that
/ he hoped practical good would result
TO the laboring class from the inves-
/ ugation today. If 1t is possible Cor
oner Leland will obtain the views Of
the prominent attorneys and legisla-
tors who appear at the inquest, and a
recommendation is probable for legis-
lation which will prevent the existence
/ OF such a pay check system as that
used by Gray Brothers.
| Prominent labor leaders are expected
to attend the inquest, and while they
viii be there as spectators they will
nevertheless, be much interested in the
proceedings.
At a meeting of the Richmond club
/ the membership of which is composed
exclusively of women. held last night
the pay check system which prompted
Cunningham to commit murder was de-
nouneed in scathing terms. The club
adopted resolutions asking that the
legislators enact a law at the next
! session which will make it a felony
for employers to use any system OF
paying their. employees except one that
VIII enable an employe to secure his
wages when they are earned.
| The members also instructed Mrs. J.
w. Felt and Mrs. Z. H. O'Donnen
president and secretary, respectively
of the Richmond club. to prepare reso-
lutions asking the board of supervisors
to pass an ordinance which will pro-
hibit the notorious paying system from
being used in this city pending the
desired legislation.