The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-07-30
eru''y -yERMEN INDULGE
IN MUCH TALK OVER IT
Granite Cutters Protest and
Their Letter Was Ac-
cepted Last Night

council for allowing Barre's fremen to
go about their duties clothed in non
union garments was forwarded to the
board OF aldermen at its regular meet
ing last night by the Barre branch of
the Granitecutters' international associa-
tion. 1t is alleged that the fire commit
tee purchased through A. A. Lamorey &
Co. number of uniforms for the regu-
lar firemen which are without the label
of the Garment Workers union. The
communication tells Of resolution con-
demning the action as adopted by the
branch in regular session July 2s. Sec
retary Angus McDonald's letter to the
board precipitated discussion among
the aldermen that lasted some time and
ended only when Alderman Bancroft's
motion that the communication be ac-
cepted prevailed by a unanimous vote.
During that time, however, nearly every
member of the board took occasion to
air his views on the matter.
The letter OF Secretary Mcdonald fol-
lows:
July 29.-To the honorable city coun.
cil Mr.. James Mackay clerk, Dear Sir:
AT regular meeting Of Barre branch.
q. G. |. A., held on July 2s, resolu-
tion was unanimously adopted condemn
ing the action of the city council in ac-
eepting the clothing for the fire depart
ment from A. A. Lamorey & Co. in so
far that they have been made under un-
fair conditions. Every organization in
this city stands at 100 per cent. union
ism and it is our opinion that our uni
formed employees should be dressed with
clothing bearing the union label, for that
Is guarantee that they have been made
under sanitary conditions and that the
workmen have received wages according
to the rates OF the Garment Workers
union. Sincerely yours. Angus Melon
aid, cor sec
After the clerk had finished reading
the letter, Alderman Patterson moved
that il be referred to the fire committee.
but his motion was not seconded. Chair
man Dawson was the first to express
his regret in the matter and he held that
ii wasn't by any means the intention
of the committee to purchase non-unon
goods. 10 had been emphatically stipu-
lated that the label should be on every
he said; Mr. Lamorey had clear
ly understood it and everyone expected
nothing different. Alderman Dawson
continued by saying that he didn't know
the uniforms had been accepted until
Monday night, when he saw the chief in
a new uniform. Otherwise, he added,
the clothing might not have been accept
ed at all.
Alderman Bancroft, third member on
the fire committee, told of employing
Mr.. Lamorey to order uniforms as early
az last MAY. Days went by and the
did not arrive At last Mr.
Lamorey ordered them from another
firm, having learned that labor trou
bles, as the speaker stated, had delayed
the original order Afterwards a set OF
came and Mr.. Iamorey at
tempted to show Alex Ironslde and AL
herman Dawson through a letter that
hey were to bear the union label. Mr..
Tronside had refused to see the letter,
he said. At any rate, the clothing seemed
unsuitable and was sent back for altera-
ions. They were purchased from the
Burton-P Pierce Co. of Boston, firm
which Mr. Lamorey had every reason
. believe would sew on the union label.
Even now, Alderman Bancroft went on,
,Ir. Lamorey wasn't convinced that the
Uniforms were made by unorganizel. la
oor. Alderman Bancroft didn't think
,Ir. Lamorey would have any difficulty
n holding the city responsible for the
ill.
The discussion lost none of its seri-
BUSINESS when Alderman Dawson. reply
ng to the member from ward three, said
hat Mr.. lronside happened to be too
,usy to look the letter over when APP
,roaehed by Mr.. Lamorey. Alderman
lawson declared furthermore his ability
O prove that the union label had been
tipulated in the verbal agreement
cached between the fire committee and
ir. Damorey. Alderman Bancroft said
e couldn't remember of any such agree
nent and Alderman Hobsn wasn't sure
Nat he was there that day. Alderman
DAWSON at this point made a few re-
larks which indicated that his colleagues
II the committee were leaving him alone
q that particular contention.
No one seemed to question the granite.
utters' right to protest against the alb
ence of the label; in fact those mem
ers of the board who spoke at all on
he situation seemed to think the whole
flair regrettable one. When the cir
umstances leading up to the purchase
ad been thoroughly viewed from every
ngle Alderman Dawson began TO won
er Just who had accepted the uniforms,
nvway. Alderman Bancroft said he
lw notice in the paper saying that
he clothing had arrived; that was the
rst he knew about il. The latters mo-
on to accept the communication pre-
allied at this juncture and the mat
II was dismissed.
Sidewalk Petition Raises More Talk.
A majority report from the street COM
ittee on the request of James F. Hig-
ms for a sidewalk near his residence
! the corner of Camp and fremont
reefs broke the ice for a wordy tilt
,tween the representatives from wards
20 and four. with sprinkling in the
av of remarks from some Of the other
liliwicks In a way which some folks
ould call cryptic, the committee re-
,rted that we have examined the same
Mr. Higgins petition and would rec
nmend that whenever the city coun-
fContinued on fourth pape1