The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-05-13
Boz 4 Aldermen Com
J with Request Of
Central Labor Union
COMMITTEE REPORTED
AGAINST PROPOSAL
The Plan Will Be Started
September 1-Other Do
ings of the Board

| Ten years of sporadic efforts on the
part of organized labor in Barre to put
| the employees of the city street and wa
| ter department on an eight hour basis
illuminated last night in promise ex-
acted from the board of aldermen to
give the desired schedule a trial begin
ming September /. Compliance with the
wish Of the labor people is the immedi-
ate result of a request made by the
Central Labor union four weeks ago and
referred at that time to the aldermanic
street and water committees. At the
Irregular meeting last night the commit
tees made an adverse report on the re-
quest but the vigorous objections raised
by Alderman Keefe, Alex. Ironside and
other union men prompted an amend
ment to the report whereby the depart
Imental employees are to work only eight
hours per day after September L.
In reporting their findings, the COM
mittees advised the retention of the
nine-hour day on the ground that the
owners of teams employed by the city
will not consent to a corresponding re-
duction from the price of $3.50 paid
per day for their teams. Alex. Iron
side said the same argument had been
advanced before. He cited the example
of western municipalities, Massachusetts
and Connecticut cities to show that the
eight-hour day is working well in other
places. In one of the best organized
cities in the country, he thought the city
should take the lead in granting such
a concession. 1t was his suggestion that
the schedule be given trial after Sep
tember |. Alderman Cook thought that
eight hours constituted a day long
enough for anyone to work. Alderman
Keast thought the departments would
exceed their appropriations if the rule
were put in practice at this time. He
suggested that the employees be given
Saturday half holidays, to which Mr..
1ronsde replied that the principle of the
eight-hour day would still be sacrificed.
1t was on Alderman Keefe's amendment
that the report was finally accepted.
A proposed contract to be executed by
Galusha A. Bemis, janitor of the city
hall. and the city council, was read and
ratified by the board. The agreement,
inclusive of interlineations and marginal
notations, does not exceed the celebrat
ed Monroe doctrine in length, but it ap-
proximates more nearly in the bulk the
we'll known Hay Pauncefote treaty.
The board enjoyed its first respite in q
long and rather monotonous session when
the clerk settled back in his chair and
began to read the protocol. the negotia-
tors listening the while. In the main,
the contract is identical with the one
which has existed between the city and
Mr. Bemis since the latter was given the
KEYS to city hall The usual bond of
$500 must be furnished and the weekly
stipend of Sl4 is to be paid the iani-
tor. who, however, is to receive this
year one weeks vacation with the usual
Concerning Band Concerts.
Before the board went into short ex-
ecutive session, Chairman Bancroft
brought up the matter of band concerts.
He suggested that the customary con-
tract between the band and the city
should be signed in the near future if
there is to be music in the air this sum
mer. Alderman Cook at this point quot
ed someone as saving that the band in
Barre was deficient this year in play
ing timber or timhre. Someone asked
Alderman Bruce, himself. musician, TO
tell what he knew about the organiza-
tion. Apparently prompted by sense
Of modesty, Alderman Bruce ayerred
that as he was the manager of the band
last year and in years past he guessed
he wouldn't draw any comparisons. All
lf which led Aldermen Hoban and Cook
to infer that there is something to the
deficiency rimor. In passing, Alderman
Cook mentioned the fact that Rev. j. w.
Barnett would like to hear sacred music
On the common this season. 1t had been
MS suggestion that the weekly concerts
iuring August be held Sunday after
Moons. On the motion of Alderman
Bruce the chairman was instructed to
appoint a special committee of three to
,onfer with the band and to report at
he next meeting. Aldermen Hoban,
Bruce, and Cook were named.
Building Proposals.
Several building applications were IA
.orably received on the recommendation
# the building inspector and permits
we're granted as follows; A. S. Sortwell
leirs, to roof their store at 200 North
.lain street; Mrs. J.. Gale. to raise a
oof on North Seminary street; Mrs. l..
l. Houghton, to shingle structure at 81
lin street; Mrs s. Carswell. to re-
model house at 20 Ayers street; II. r.
Reynolds, to build garage at l94
Washington street; w. NJ. Holden ct al
o remodel house at Is North Main
treet: Frederico 0ltolini, to raze shed
n Granite street; W. +. Smith. to raze
wo small buildings at AZ Patterson
treet; b. MARRIOTT, to erect hen
ouse at l6 Howard street; c. 5. Lar
in, to roof an ell at l03 South Main
treet; Patrick Brown, to remodel front
f shed at sos North Main street; V.
tacy, to build barn at ll9 Brook
treet The Granite Savings Bank &
rust Co. asked permission to erect
rick restaurant on the site OF "Jack's
lace" Depot square, and on the recon-
lendation of the inspector, the request
as referred to the fire committee.
Charles Comolli was given permission
D tuck four by five foot hen house
nder his arm and transport it from
eminary street to High Holburn street.
. n Normandeau was allowed to move
- BY 10 structure from one corner OF
is lot on Merchant street to another
,ction of the same land. Ten petit