Evening journal., 1921-10-05
LABOR SENDS
ULTIMATUM
Test for S-Hour Law Ger
tain If Conditions Are
Not Changed
APPEAL WILL GO
TO WASHINGTON

contending that the State law
relative to work on municipal pro-
jects was being violated. members
OF the Central Labor Union. at a
meeting last night. adopted resolu-
lions calling on city officials to stop
such violation under threat Of test
OF the law. The resolution gives
the city officials one week in which
to comply with the law.
At the same time a committee was
Instructed 10 proceed to Washing
ton within the next forty-eight hours
department. OF the American Feder-
alton OF Labor and to arrange for
their attorney to come here and CO.
operate with their local attorney,
provided the work on the new har-
Dor. library park, street and road
work is not done as required by the
State law as interpreted by the Gems
trail Labor Union.
The resolution was adopted after
the committee OF the Union had re-
ported on the conference held with
City Council last Wednesday night
The committee maintained that the
Central Labor Unions contention
that the law was being violated by
the different departments and con-
tractors was verified. and cited al
legged contradictory statements Of the
city solicitor regarding his opinion
Of the law. The committee especially
commended Councilman McNabb
for the manner in which he tried
to fulfill his duties as a representa-
tive Of the people"
The resolution follows:
Be 1t resolved. That we the Cen
trail Labor Union, call on the proper
city officials to see to Il that these
different departments live up to this
law and Immediately stop working
men more than eight hours, wheth-
sr they ask for it or want IL Cor II
is only natural than men who have
been out OF work for five and six
months and are in the financial
strasghts that some OF these men are
In, would gladly welcome the op-
portunity to work as many hours
as their physical condition would al
low them, and put the necessary
number OF additional mon (who are
In similar financial circumstances)
TO work TO keep the work Going at
the same rate OF efficiency. and
BE II further resolved, That the
proper city officials see to It that
The men working on the harbor
construction also work only eight
hours and are paid the same rate OF
wages as has been stated by the rep
resentatives OF the different city de-
partments Is the prevailing rate OF
wages for iaborers and mech, ..cs
and
Be Il further resolved, that VIC
deem It a disgrace for the CITY nj
Wilmington to be a party To an,
such condition that would make mel
work Tor rs cents an hour and re
ceive Tor a weeks work the starva.
ton wage Of s12, when they have I,
pay at least s25 for a months rem
for a house to exist in. and S14 pei
ton FOR coal to keep Il warm, and.
BE It further resolved, that il tn,
city officials do not take action oil
this matter and see to II that tn,
law is lived up to- that the Centra
Labor Union. take the necessar,
steps before any further finances ar
raised for these projects: and that /
we are going to have a harbor fo-
the city Of Wilmington, that II will
not be one that in future years. in
stead Of looking upon it with prid
we will have to point our finger a
IL with scorn. and say that the mel
who built it had TO work three hour
to earn enough TO buy a dozen eggs
two hours TO buy a pound OF butter
they had TO work two weeks az /
did not rein) TO make enough to pa.
their rent, and they did not max
enough in a week TO buy ton o
coal; and that It was the taxes tina
these same people paid that helpel
to finance the project, and that. afte
ali this, they expected these peopl
to be good citizens"
Following the adoption OF tn
resolution the secretary was in
structed TO write to City Counc
complaining OF the discharge O
Wilmington workmen at the Librar
project. Il was said that these me
are being replaced by residents &
New Jersey.
The letter further urges that Cit
Council withdraw its resolutio
granting an additional 5000, 600 {
the library association. II needed.
this practice continues. as the librar
association gave definite assuranc
that local men were TO be employed
similar letter was directed to IN
rhrary officials. urging them TO Sc
to IL that Wilmington labor be give
preference on this project.
The Union also requested Governc
\ Denney 10 name Walter ]. Outer
\trcasurer Of the Central Body. as ID
! for's representative on the 1ndustrii
3 accident Board.
Il The Union also went on recor
favoring the limitation OF arms
tents and while no parade will /
Pa ii was decided TO supplemei
e parade idea by an exhibit an
tture
u letter was directed sent to II
ility Board urging lower gas rat,
and installation services and low,
pcuicai rates and installatic
A -narees; also lower trolley fares.
was pointed out that the exhorbita,
rates charged for installation OF Gle
tr.cai service and wiring houses ha-
tendency to hold up proposed pr
jocts Of house owners IN wiring the
properties Tor electricity. Tn
charge eor gas meters and install
tion OF connection bars, it was co
tended is the main factor in the cs
Of Installing gas service.