The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1914-08-15


~: y. -: LIZ.
JUDGES OPINION +: :
Last week organized labor Of Superior was rebuked
by municipal Judge S. his decision on the
Hartman case. ':~.~,
. RIB. Hartman, a Milwaukee contractor who runs
socaled open shop was charged BY the Building Trades
council violating state law which spuates eisht
hours any caander day." Is a! working day. For
this offense Hartman arrested and tried In Judse
Parker's court. ..~
The leading to the arrest have been rec1ted
in previous of The Labor World AS a summary
will that Hartman at tho REQUEST OF the board OF
Normal regents after conference with the Build
ing Trades entered into agreement to apply
solely carpenter work and the iron work on said
job In this agreement union men were to be employ
ed the contract stating working conditions and
shall compatible with trade rules and STATE LAW
The iron workers. scale is 81 IL cents per hour
After weeks under this agreement Hartman insisted
paying the iron workers. at rate of 50 IL cents
This violation led to strike. -
In 1911 the state legislature passed law relating
to Hours Labor Public Buildings which provides
in section leach and every hereafter made for
erection, construction, remodeng repairing Of
any public building works-shall contain stipu-
lation that laborer workman mechanic in the
ploy Of the contractor, :subcontractor, AGENT OR
OTHER PERSON DOING OR CONTRACTING TO DO
all part the contemplated by the contract
shall permitted work than eight hours in
calendar day. except in cases Of
gencies 80. :....'.= ....~
Referring the contract, signed by the chairman
and secretary Of the board of regents and R. Hart
contractor find under article TX 1T is further
agreed that laborer, workman mechanic in the
employ Of the contractor subcontractor agent other
person doing contracting do all part of the
work contemplated by this contract shall be permitted
to work than eight hours in calander day.
cep in of extraordinary emergencies, provided,
however, condition apply only such
work AS is actually performed the premises which
said building or works being erected and con-
structed.".~ ., ~..:
1t was proved, the judge SO stated that Hart
was guilty Of working more than eight hours
contrary to the letter of agreements
signed by Hartman and strict violation Of the statute
Section 1923 No. provides ANY contractor. sub
contractor corporation coparnershp firm person.
agent thereof who after executing under
the provisions of this act shall allow permit any Ia
borer, workman mechanic in his its their employ
or in the employment of contractor subconractor
agent other under his, it's their
direction to work than eight hours in any cal
ender day. except in Of extraordinary circumstances
shall be deemed to have violated the provisions of
act and shall be subject the punishment herein pro-
vided.' ;
The punishment for violation as provided by the law
is 5000 fine, six months imprisonment, or both
In the face of this weeks deberation judge
Parker says in giving his decision 1.-THE result is we
cannot hold Hartman guilty of violating the state law
because he is only AGENT of the board) though
there Is no question but the have been worked
overtime The working Of the law makes it impossible
to do anything" '~~~.
Can it be that the judge really believes that Or has
ne been influenced by patriotism wanting to
see the normal school completed regardless Of the law
and clear legislative intent. :: So:
When the progressive state Of Wisconsin And =
municipal Judge of Superior conone the violations
law on the part Of employers passive what
respect can he demand from worker for state insti
tutons With what sense of moral conviction has he
= 1ne rlsnt TO ask OF them. their support? g.. ~.
ne mas interpreted this contract which We are told
n the eyes of the being equivalent to
nothing he has read state law which We arA n1d
Is to protect the weak from the encroachmens Of Ii.
strong meaning revolving all sense Of Justice and
contrary TO all principles of moral righteousness
Truly the judicial mind is beyond the comprehen
sion Of mere man. ~ : !. .'%.s X. . -
In trade unionism, in other human activities .r.
cess oftenest attends those who know how. to
AS we see in the rainbow the harbinger 81 fine yea
80 labor may the sories 81 Ill future thron
h its tears. #-#s r 1:s.5.. + 0,:s|1.> 800.
81: &. Al NJ III Il. ri !. nan IN
u 5btatof ths xosst 81
umbus State. 5S s