Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-06-11
SURPRISE MOVE ]
BY C[ARKFA|lS ]
TO WIN Votes
Patten Alone With Fifth Ward
Alderman in Vote on
Resolution
WATERS LEADS ,-ATMCK|
CIark's Idea Already Provides
for in City and State Law y
and Ordinance
WESTER GIVES VIEWS
Question of CIark's CeIIaI
Raised by Anderson and is
Answered by Former
WESTER GIVES VIEWS

A resolution, referred to by Alder.
man Albert G. Waters as Joker"
which was introduced by Alderman
John j. Clark at an adjourned meet-
ing of the city's governing body last
night, having to do with the wages
contractors on city work must pay
their help. was defeated by a vote
of five to two. following a lengthy
discussion. During the argument on
this resolution Vice Chairman John
Sotield took the chair in order that
Alderman-at-large John N. Wes.
ter might speak.
The Clark resolution was sprung
as surprise on the aldermen fol-
lowing a committee session of the
aldermen which the fifth ward al
derman did not attend. Following
the aldermanic committee session
downstairs in City Hall, Alderman
Clark gave Clerk Arthur E. Graham
his resolution to read at the n1eet-
ing.
Alderman Thomas Patten was the
only one to support Mr.. Clark in his
efforts to put through this measure.
| The Republican members OF ~
| board and Alderman Waters, all
spoke against passage OF such a reso-
luton and voted that way likewise,
defeating it when it was put to
vote.
The resolution of Alderman Clark
follows:
Whereas, The figures presented by
some local contractors in recent bid-N
d.ngs on city work. do not appear
to the close observer that such con.
tractors have the best interests OF
the taxpayers to the forefront. ali
things being equal, and
Whereas. Some corltractorA try to
get the highest price for their\worx
and at the same time try to reduce
| the wages of their men, therefore,
be. and it is hereby
Resolved. That the mayor enteA
into no contract with any contractors
on city work until such contractor
| agrees to pay the prevailing rate OF
wages and in accordance with Chap.
te" 253 p. l.. of 1913"
In presenting the above resolution
the fifth ward alderman made long
and fiery address in which he en-.
deavOred to point out that the al.
dermen could award contracts tc
contractors hiring fair labor al
prices as low as or even lower thar
those charged by contractors EN-.
ploying non-union men. He said
that in the bids received by the
water department for q new build.
ing in King street, the low bidder
was man who employs union labor
while another who does not employ
fair labor was $4,000 higher. Mr.
Clark also declared that the bid oil
Gustav Jost, who is fair to labor, for
the orphans home work was $72e
less than that of Charles f. Welker
Alderman Waters maintake6
that these facts We're no argument
in the case. He declared he wouk
not vote against anything workin1H
against the taxpayers and callecs
upon the city attorney to render ar
opinion on the matter.
City Attorney Leo GoldbergeI
said that the wage question was COW
cred by a city ordinance. the state
law and the specifications took care
of this matter also. Chairman Wes-
ter. speaking to the audience. said:
IF you show us where we have
any jurisdiction further than that
given us by the city ordinance or
state law. | would be glad to hear
from you"
No one answered the alderman-s
at-large.
Alderman Clark contended that
| the prevailing rate of wages is what
the union men are receiving. He
said that at the present time nine
teen of the mast builders were em-
ploying fair help. whereas only nine
were not. The fifth ward alderman
said he realized that Mr.. WesterS
position in this matter was extremely
delicate. Alderman Waters express
ed his opinion of the resolution as
being of the Joker" variety and de-
clared he would never vote for 1t.
Alderman Christian Anderson
brought out the point that Alder
man Clark in discussing the price
of repairs al Monday nights meet
ing had admitted he had put con-
crete floor in his cellar himself. AL
derman Clark denied he had made
this statement. although several al
dermen and members of the audi
ence understood the fifth ward al
dermen to make that assertion. AL
derman Clark said he had paid un-
ion men $40 a dag TO do the work
and ne could show the bills to prove
his statement. According TO Alder
man Anderson's version of Monday
nights incident Alderman Clark,
after complaint about the high price
of certain repair work, said he had
Continued ON page 81
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