Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-05-16
PUBLIC OPINION
THE TRADE
-ditor Evening News:

Editor Evening News:
Reading the Perth Amboy Eve
ming News of May 8. 1921 and the
speeches made at the mass meeting
called to order by Mr.. Arthur Quinn,
in the High School Auditorium. one
would think and believe that what
was said there was the right thing,
and hat the Master Builders are to
blame for what has happened In the
building trades here. Let me say
that l differ. and l have a right to.
First, his honor. the mayor. said
that it is not a question of wages, it
is what we eat. My opinion is that
the public throughout our city and
vicinity have demanded a reduction
in the cost of building, and the only
way to do this is either to produce
more for the wages paid. or cut the
prevailing wage after a certain date.
Reductions have been made in al
most every branch of necessities, eX-
cept in the case of house rents. /
will admit tina we have right here
in this city, landlords who are guilty
of profiteering. but by no all
of them, but by maintaining the
present cost of building we not only
leave the tools in the hands of such
profiteers but actually encourage
ltHls 4NON ~ A1iii1bS "Coa' ~
more production instead of less, even
it I have to work for less than / have
in the past few years, in order TO
help overcome the present situation.
In reference to Mr.. Hilfer's re-
marks. / agree with him that the
unions must maintain their organiza-
lions in order to gain recognition
but not to win, as there is no bat
tie being fought between employers
and employees in this city regarding
organization, as the majority on both
sides believe in such organization as
being for the mutual interest Of the
barties concerned. MI. Hilfer said
THAT the desire of the employers was
to destroy their organization and
create the open shop" Mr.. Hilfer,
/ am sure did not know the least
thing about the situation in this city.
and was either misinformed, or made
a mistake and delivered a speech
that was intended for some other
part Of the country, where organiz-
ed labor is not in favor
1 have been a resident of this city
for about thirty-three years; in 1902,
nineteen years ago, / started in the
building and contracting business,
and therefore claim to know more
tBos> the situation in this city and
HlCl1lly tHdll MI. I1liitl, anu L Ndb
make the definite statement, and
/Dear 1t out, that not one of the build
! ing contractors in this city or vicin-
ity, who are members of the Build
ing Trades Association, have mem
toned or advocated the open shop"
at any of our meetings or gatherings
during this particular time. Mr..
Helfer's remarks about the purchas-
ing power of the dollar not having
increased. he should tell to Sweeney,
and he can tell us the same in Perth
Amboy, but we don't believe 1t, be-
cause we know better, being perfect
ly wide awake in this city.
Now. in regard to bills passed, or
not passed, in the legislature which
do not suit organized labor, ! will not
dispute. not being a politician. but 1
would say that they cannot expect
to get 1t all their W way; / my
self, or any of us, get 1t in that re-
spect.
Next comes Mr.. Hugh Frayne. who
urges the unions to stick together,
which il all right: also. that union
representatives get together with the
Master Builders. and come to some
understanding seated at a table, but
the one side of the Table where the
builders sit should be allowed tc
nave. something 10 say ABOUT cOnul-
tiont as well as the side where the
UNION representatives cit. Both sides
SHOULD make concessions and both
xao1~aansider present conditions
and believe each other.
The employees may clam that the
present conditions are not yet as they
should be, but how can this be reme-
died if both sides are not willing to
make some sacrifice. in order to get
conditions more normal. This say
ing: Il val SO much for my work
and IL I don't get 1t l will not work.
will not. in my opinion, improve mat
ters. but put more men in the bread
line. as it means less work. and il we
want to check the profiteer we need
more production.
In speaking of the open shop, it is
my opinion that the laboring mar
should not go back to the old level
and to my knowledge none of the
builders in this vicinity have asked
for either of these two things. / for
n have. and am doing all In my
power to maintain organization
when 1t is run in a way that will,
benefit both master and employe
hut MT mbap IN ic rim hu auitatars