Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1921-12-14
n. !. IN GRASP
OF PLASTERERS
Union Secretary Says Muir
der Might be Worse Than
Rushing" Work
FINED FOR WORKING
ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY

dcspotism by the Plasterers' Union
and abuse OF power enabling 1t ito
strins UP the entire building indus
.rv OF Ncw York by the neck" were
ATTACKED before the Lockwood Leg
isiativc Committee yesterday by
samuel Untermyer. its counsel.
Reading from the minutes OF the
nn.on's executive committee and eX-
aiming Michael j. Gallagher the
recording secretary. Mr. untermyer
brought out the following practices;
Contractors were compelled TO
pay the union fines from 500 up TO
$1,000 for working the men over
time without permission OF the eN-
ecutive committee.
Jewish. German and Italian mem
5ers Of the union were fined Sls
each for working on st. Patrick s
Day
A plastorer was debarred from
his place OF employment for one
YEAR because he worked with tools
during the lunch hour.
Another charged with the same
ofrcnse was left off with repri-
mand as he made amends by quit
ting at 4.30 o'clock"
II contractors did not distribute
all wages on pay day by o'clock
thew had TO pay two hours overtime
TO each man who waited longer.
whether the delay was one minute
or two hours the fun overtime pen
atty had to be paid.
when a bad piece OF work by a
plasterer Is ordered torn down,
"either the owner OF the contractor
OF the building is penalized, IL was
testified by Michael r. Gallagher,
recording secretary OF the union. II
is against the rules OF the union, he
said. for an employer to lay off dur
ing dull periods his shop steward,
who looks after the interests OF the
union" and one contractor who did
so was fined.
The minutes recorded demotion OF
foreman because he stood over
the workers and rushed them"
Mr.. Gallagher characterized that
as slave driving" and said rushing
was 40 per cent. worse crime than
pickpocketing. The witness OK
pressed the opinion that murder was
"a worse crime than running"
The unions rules do not permit
contractor 10 sub-let plastering
work. nor allow tho owners OF build
ings to hire a second contractor II
the first defaults. Mr.. Gallagher eN-
planned that on all unfinished con-
tracts the union requires that the
work be completed under the SUI
pervision OF its own foreman on a
day work basis.
Mr. untermyer charged the plas-
terors were "blackiacking" the pub
lie in doing this. and also the con-
tractors
III you tell a contractor he has
10 pay 500 or $1,000 or he does not
gel union men. that puts him out OF
business unless he pays what you
tell him to pay doesn't it?" asked
Mr. Untermyer.
Automatically, yes" the witness
replied
do you thin; 1t is a very Ameri-
can plan for labor organization,
comprising in its membership men
OF an nationalities and creeds. 20
pick out such a day as ST. Pstrick's,
which is not a legal holiday. TO fine
members for working on that7" Mr..
untermyer asked.
The witness said he had never
given the matter thought.
The list OF those fined was then
read and Mr.. Untermyer comment
ed: There is not a single Irish
man in the whole list
mo, that is why they worked. "
Gallapher said.
The committee was then informed
OF the unions action in compeilins
the removal Of artificial stone which
had been placed In an apartment
under construction in Park avenues
fashionable quarter The work me
with the approval OF the owner. tn,
contractor and the city building de
partment. but not the union. Mr.
Gallagher said.
~But II the architect and tn
building department and the owne
IAN say that a particular way OF do
ing the work is safe. and the plas
terer's union Is Of the opinion tina
IL saves labor and reduces the cos
and gives them less work. and there
fore becomes unsafe. the work hai
4.