The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1910-10-07
MIDDLEMAN
ELIMINATED
Milwaukee Solves Its Pub
lie Works Problem in a
Way That Elicits Ad-
miratiOn.
(By Carl d. Thompson.) }

iHtIt - llblt IIdI bIt way vi SINH
ming cat. And there is more than
one way that a socialist administration
can accomplish its purpose. This is
being shown by the experience of the
Milwaukee administration in handling
the contractors on public works.
One of the things that the socialists
have always contended for is the eimi
nation of middlemen. And particularly
of the public contractor.
There are many reasons for this. In
the first place, the public contract is
almost sure to become graft. And
besides the tendency is always to
skimp the work. to use cheap material,
and worst of all, to drive labor. The
contractor driven by his desire to make
profit, works in every direction to keep
down his expenses. When possible he
puts in cheap material; he drives labor
long hours, forces the work and keeps
down wages by every possible means.
| This has been the experience with
the public contractors all over the
world.
The socialist program on this point is,
as rapidly as possible, to eliminate
the public contractor entirely, to have
the city carry on its public works by
direct employment.
In this way wages can be raised to
| the trades union standard hours of
labor and other conditions made good.
the profits of the middlemen saved to
the public and good work guaranteed.
And these results have been actually
accomplished in many directions where
the contractor has been abolished.
The socialists did this in Haverhill,
Mass. where they We're in power, 1t
has been done in many cities and some
states. And it is quite generally the
practice in European municipalities.
Naturally the socialists of Milwaukee
wanted to do the same.
But the contractor does not like to
be abolished. And besides the state laws
and the city charter were not framed
for the purpose of helping the socialists
to accomplish their purposes, no matter
how advantageous they may be.
How, then, to get rid of the contrac
tor, and how to get the city started on
the direct employment for its public
works, was one of the nuts that the so
cialist administration had to crack.
Like many other of the problems"
it proved easier than was expected. In
fact it is coming about very naturally.
1t goes without saying that the so
cialist commissioner of public works
that has all of these matters under his
direction, began Immediately, as soon as
he had taken his office, to insist on
good work being done for the city in
every direction.
He received complaint that GER
tain sidewalk that was being laid by
Contractor for the city was not up to
grade In twenty minutes he was on
the spot with the specifications in hand.
He found the case was as reported The
work was not up to the specifications.
Result-Mr. Contractor had to tear
up several hundred feet of his work and
do it over
A little later inspectors reported that
the concrete work on the piers of
big bridge that was nearing completion
was very faulty and imperfect Another
inspection by the socialist commissioner
revealed another case of graft and very
Imperfect work.
Result-Bridge rejected Mr.. Con
tractor lost between 5000 and $l0,-
loco.
Later some complaints We're heard to
the effect that certain inspectors had
10. K.'d some public work that was be
low specifications. Commissioner in
vestigation proved matters as reported.
Result-Mr, Inspector called on the
carpet and advised to look for work
somewhere else. A thorough-goiug and
competent socialist Inspector put in his
place. Report goes out to inspectors
that they hold their jobs only so long
as they do absolutely honest and thor
ough going work for the city. And not
a minute longer
Now, it doesn't take very many days
work of that kind to start a revolution
in the public works department of the
city, Dishonest inspectors resign, and
several grating contractors have quit
work in disgust.
They swear that it doesn't pay to
take contracts for city that is under
a socialist administration.
The work thus abandoned by the con
tractor is then taken up by the city
itself and carried on under the principle
of direct employment
Technically the laws require that all
public works must be let to the lowest
competent bidder
So the city bids on its own work. 1t
specifics the kind of work that must be
done and the quality of labor that must
be used in doing the work And the