Evening journal., 1919-05-07
Want WORK FOR
THE UNEMPLOYED
Central Labor Union Urges
Council to Begin Public
improvements
PROTEST INCREASE
IN PHONE CHARGES

Local labor conditions were discussed
at the meeting OF the Central Labor
Union last night and suggestions adopt
ed that may give employment to resi-
dents. The Central body appointed a
committee 10 appear before City Coun-
Ell tomorrow night and asks that work
on proposed public Improvements be
started. The secretary was instructed
TO send the following letter TO City
Council on this subject.
Gentlemen:
knowing the interest OF your honor
able body in the welfare and progress
OF Wilmington as a community. and ap-
preciating the kindness and courtesy al
ways extended 10 delegations from the
Central Labor Union, this organization
1esires 20 notify You that special
committee will appear before you at
your meeting Thursday evening, May &.
10 present to you some important facts
regarding what we term a Greater
Wilmington"
These facts refer in the main 70 inn
portant public works that should at
this time be started by certain branches
Of the city government. We feel that
the facts should be presented to City
Council by our special committee at
your meeting Thursday night and would
most respectfully ask yOu 10 permit
our committee 10 appear before you
and be heard between the hours Of $50
and o'clock. or later, II more accept
able to you.
Trusting that your body will grant
4 hearing 10 our special committee, we
arc
VERY respectfully yours.
central LABOR UNION"
The committee consists OfNC. A. Dun
can, w. II. Collins. J. c. Saylor, j. Irwin
Allcorn and +. Spina
Another letter was ordered sent 10 |
Secretary Of Labor Wilson at Washing
ton asking that the Fleet Corporation |
reconsider It's proposed cancellation Of |
shipyard contracts here, with the con-
,equent throwing out Of employment /
of thousands Of workers.
The committee appointed sometime |
sgo TO discuss with Governor Townsend |
labor conditions in Delaware reported |
that the governor had promised TO call /
conference on the situation.
It being reported that the Whining
ton Gas Company Is using convict
labor from The workhouse on street
work. It was decided to advise the COM
pany and the workhouse trustees that
The unemployed in this city should be-
given work rather than workhouse
prisoners.
The rate increase OF the Bell Tele-
phone Company recently announced |
also was discussed and the following /
letter was directed TO the Public Utility /
Commissioners. commencing them on |
heir action in the matter:
Gentlemen: AZ the meeting f-the !
central Labor Union. held tonight atifo |
secretary was instructed TO notify you
That the organization desires 20 COM
mend your honorable board on its de- |
rlslon TO refuse to permit the Bell Tel |
aphone Company Diamond State Com |
pany) 90 raise its rates 20 per cent. |
without the permission OF the Board OF |
Public Utility Commissioners Of VII !
mington.
The Central Labor Union reached this /
conclusion because we have noted ths 1
manner In which the Bell Telephone /
Company in other parts OF the |
country has been forced TO re-
store the original rates which
were charged patrons OF the
company prior 10 the time that Post
master General Burleson took over tie
telephone and telegraph companies.
The Bell Telephone Company is a part
Of the American Telegraph and Tele-
phone Company and works under an
understanding with the Western Union
Telegraph Company, which latter COM
pany appears TO be in favor with the
Postmaster General. Under the present II
situation, we see President Mackay. OF
the Postal Telegraph Company publicly
stating that he would be mighty glad 10
have his company turned back 10 prl-
vatc ownership and he would agree TO
continue the rates charged before II
was taken over by the Postmaster Cen
cral, and would not be compelled to
make a 20 per cent. raise.
The law creating your honorable
commission Is clear. Your commission
surely and certainly has the rlght TO
pass upon the rates charged by pub
lic utillties--and the Bell Telephone is
a public utility. The Central Labor
Union desires your commission TO con-
slider this letter as a formal complaint