Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-31
Members of Two Unions and
Contractors Debated Over
Provisions of Ordinance.
cURBST0NERS ON CARPET
Session Of City Commissioners En-
Iivened by Discussion Of Pro
posed Amendment.

cense and file a bond of $1,000 in
order to engage in the business, was
the subject for a spirited debate at
the meeting of the city commission
yesterday afternoon.
Large delegations were present
from local union No. 4S5, l. B. E. w.
Inside workers) who favor the mea-
sure and from local union No. 100.
/. B. E. W., (outside workers) who are
protesting against the amendment, as
al attemrt to boycott them and plaee
the electrical business OF the city in
the hands OF a few. Contractors were
also present and all three factions
took part in the discussion in such an
animated way that Commissioner
Archie Hart was forced to raise
point of order.
Representatives from both factions
made extended remarks. Members Oh
100 declared that the proposed amend
ment would tend to form monopoly
which would be in direct violation of
the Sherman antitrust law, being
nothing more than an attempt to con-
troll absolutely, the electrical business
in Rock Island
After Curbstoners.
I'VE are opposed to questioning,
declared one member of local No. 4s5,
explaining the term to mean doing
electrical work after hours and on
Sunday, by men engaged in other oc-
equations, and it is to cure
this "evil'' that the bond and
license feature has been advocated
by members of this union. One speak
er declared that there would be no
difficulty in satisfying all factions if
maintained closed shops,
and called on J. T. Marion, to state
why this policy had not been followed
in Rock Island. He explained that
out of 200 or more electrical workers
in the tri-cities, the union did not con-
troll more than Is or 20 per cent and
until the figure was raised, did not
think the union had right to make
a demand of this kind. 1t was decid-
ed that the various interests have a
during the week and at
tempt to settle upon the provisions OF
the amendment, the commission TAX
ing the matter up next week.
want Union LABOR.
J. c. Kinsley and J. T. Gully, from
the federation of labor appeared to
ask that the city employ union labor
in the construction of the new elevat-
ed tank Mayor Schriver explained
that it was the policy of the city to
use union labor wherever possible and
said that the officials had done so as
far as they could, under the law, in
the matter. stating that the contract
contains the clause, 1.-The city prefers
union labor" City Attorney ]. F.
Witter held that il would not be law
'ul to specify "only union labor The |
matter will be taken up later.
Wire Trouble.
A communication was>r read from the |
Central Union Telephone company |
against the damage done |
20 wires by housemovers. 1t was |
Urged that the city enforce the ordi-
lance relative to the matter. 1t was |
Urged that it was not so much the ex-
,ense in repairing the trouble as the
oss of service that concerned the COM
,any. The communication was re-
,eived and placed on file.
A committee of socialists appeared
before the commission to protest
gainst the provisions of the proposed
andbill ordinance. They urged that
he distribution OF political and relig-
BUS literature be allowed, without get
ing the mayors permit as required
y the measure under consideration.
t was decided to let the ordinance
o over for a week.
Brady Wants License.
Charles Brady, local junk dealer,
sked that the commission provide a
cense for pawn brokers in order to
1rnish protection for men engaged in
ais business. However, when the pro-
isions OF the present ordinance were
lad to him, he found the matter was
lready covered.
Have you kept the record of the .
roperty received by you and made a
ally report OF the same to the chief :
police?" inquired the mayor.
NO." replied Brady.
Then you are fined 500 and costs"
e smiled while the junk man looked
ightened.
Brady is one OF the bondsmen for
am Fryer, second hand dealer, who
'cently was convicted in circuit
'urt on a charge OF receiving stolen
operty.
A protest from property on Webb !
rect asking that the laying of water \
aims be delayed until sewer was in
allied, was received and placed on o
9. o
Street 10 Closed.
Commissioner r. r. Reynolds re- e
'rted that the clay bank on Thirty u
ghth street from Seventh to Tenth 3
'enue was sliding again, due to the .
cent heavy rains and that 1t would /,
dangerous to remove the dirt from a
q street now and he had Thought II