Evening journal., 1915-08-03
P|CEETING trouble
UP TO solicitor
Street Department Wants
Opinion Before ConSid-
ing Ordinance
LABOR LEADERS
OPPOSE NEW LAW


keepers and BARRIERS crowded the
meeting room of the Street and
Sewer Directors today. when argu-
ments both for and against the pro-
posed ordinance restricting the use
of the public streets and sidewalks
in this city to picketing was heard.
Following arguments by Leonard y.
Wales, father of the proposed ordin-
ance. and ]. Frank Ball, counsel for
the labor leaders. George w. Sparks,
president of the Street and Sewer
Department, suggested that both at
torneys confer with City Solicitor
Daniel o. Hastings relative TO the
powers of the Street and Sewer De-
partment in this matter
At the same time President Sparks
said: "As / have been out OF town
for a week I have not had time 10
look thoroughly into the matter, but
from what | have been able TO learn,
do not understand that this body
can legislate on peace jurisdiction.
! We have police powers when II comes
to constructing and maintaining high
ways. II would be just as reason
able 10 expect US to arrest drunks.
J The subject discussed is one for ,he
legislature or City Council TO correct
according to my opinion
The hearing Of the picketing or
dinance. which was drawn up to put
stop to striking brewery workers
fpatrolling the sidewalks in front of
certain saloons. opened with Mr..
Wales explaining the proposed reso-
luton. Mr.. Wales cited six reasons
why the proposed resolution should
be passed claiming that there would
be less violence if picketing was re-
stricted TO a point 100 feet away from
the object of the pickets. Mr.. Wales
also argued that the Clayton anti
Injunction act had no application 10
the present situation
Mr.. Ball. in opening, explained that
the Clayton Act was fought for by
laboring men for years. The act al
lowed the workers TO indulge In
peaceful picketing. he said. He said
the act superseded State law. "If Con-
gress passed a national prohibition
act, would this State be allowed to
say to a saloonkeeper here, 60 ahead
and sell beer?" Mr. Ball asked.
Now for the ordinance itself" con
tinued Mr. Ball 1T allows picket'
to stand 100 feet away. Well, thai
means that pickets will come on YOU
pavement to picket a saloon LOG fee
away. II is claimed that picketin:
tends to disorder. / defy anyone t
show me a more peaceful strike thai
that conducted by the Brewer
Workers Union. tits true. there ha
been trouble, a representative of til
brewery owners assaulted a pickle
without any cause, and he was fine
by Judge Churchman.
Another case aired in City Cour
was when two men had a quarre
over a matter of eighteen years dur
alton.
"As for police powers. has the po
lice department asked you gentlemen
for assistance? Why didn't those
favoring this ordinance 60 to the Po
lice Commissioners?
This question has been passed ol
by the Supreme Court while tn
Brewery Workers Of Washington wer
on strike"
Mr.. Ball was accompanied by John "
Ili'N1gs litSiLcht VI NV NN"ti"i i-a"'
Union; Joseph Obergfell, internation'
secretary of the Brewery Workers A
ISOLATION; James 0'Kane. of the Car an
ship Painters Union; Harry A. Kreseg
. of the BARRIERS Union; IL. a. Behen, ,
the House Painters Union; Emilio
Spina, Of the 1ailors' Union; l. j. Ken
Of the He'd Carriers Union and John
. Saylor, OF the Typographical Union
/, James J. Cohen, James Pennetto. PR
prietors of barber shops; Anton Haube
Harry A. Reeson and other saloon pr'
prietors also were present.
j II is expected that the subject will
considered az the meeting of the Stree
and Sewer Directors next week. when a
opinion will be had from City Solicit'
! Hastings.