The New York herald., 1922-05-12
PLUMBER near ruin
BY union SQUABBLE
He'll Gate Edison Plant Con-
tractor Asks Lockwood
~, Committees Aid.
OUT $4,000 ALREADY
Work 80 p. G. Done Held Up
as Plumbers and Steam
filters Disagree.
LASKER WILL TESTIFY
Secretary Morrisey Defends
Chapman to Untermyer as
Faithful Servant
LAsKER WILL TESTIFY

Patrick f. Kenny, head of the con-
tracing plumbing firm of p. F. Kenny
& Son., Inc. 33 Old Broadway, which
has the contract for the plumbing
work in the s30,00o.000 Hell Gate
power house of the United Electric
Light and Power Company, East River
and 134th street, told the Lockwood
Housing Committee yesterday that un-
less the steamfitters and the plumbers
settled their factonal row that has
held up work on the contract since
October last, before the end of this
week he expected his contract would
be abrogated. This, Kenny said, would
mean his financial ruin, involving
loss to him of between $4,000 and
$50. 900 cash and practically preclude
him from continuing in business.
The details of this situation. in which
a sso.ooo,ooo publicity utility. 80 per cent.
completed, is held up because hano1ui
of plumbers and stcamfitters, both
members of the same international Or
ganization. cannot agree concerning the
work was told In THE NEW YORK Her
AID three weeks ago. Yesterday formal
testimony was introduced confirming
THE NEW YORK HERALD's account Of the
situation and proving that the local
plumbers organization ignored both the
orders of President John Caulfieid OF
Chicago. head of the International, ana
the regulation of the Building Trades
Council by striking before arbitrating
their dispute or submitting Il to the ex-
ecutive committee of the council for
action.
Says He's Discredfted.
Asked what the effect of a continu-
ance of the tieup would be, 7Ir. Kenny
in choking voice told the committee;
God knows what the effect will be on
me and my business. I know that 1t
has done me out Of s25,C COO or 100000. I
know that I have lost the opportunity
OF doing a lot of business with the Edi-
son company that I might have done
TThe United Electric Light and Power
Company MY work was far advanced
and everything to my credit when the
men were called OFF. To-day am dis
credited. ! spoke witt, several members
OF the plumbers union rs late as yes
terday and asked: For God sake, let
me go back and finish my work But
have not been able to get ary relief"
The strike against Kenny's job was
called because the firm Of Almirall
Co.. steamfitting contractors. Domin-
iclx street. persisted in doing a portion
OF the work on their contract for sl6o,Ooo
with steamfitters instead OF plumbers
after President Caul..eld had awarded
the work to the plumbers
James Morrisey, recording secretary
OF the plumbers union. would not admit
that the plumbers were ready to arbi-
trate. Nor were they ready. he said,
10 obey President Caulfeld's order to
return to work on the power house
project pending n settlement.
How long do you think the public
will be willing to stand for that sort OF
business? How long do YOU propose to
have the public suffer because you can't
settle a dispute among yourselves"
Mr.. Untermyer demanded. Morrisey re-
piled that the situation at Hell Gate was
zone of the risks OF the business,
Extortionist Was "FaithfuI."
1T developed in the course OF his ex-
animation that the plumbers union,
which on January 4 last agreed to nine
teen amendments and notifications OF
its bylaws and constitution suggested
by the Lockwood committee. two weeks
later rescinded its action ON eighteen Of
them. The only change demanded by
the committee allowed to stand was that
which prevented William II. Chapman,
former business agent convicted Of ex-
tortion. from resuming his old job In the
union after serving his term. 1t was
shown. however. that .Chapmans resg-
nation as business agent had been ac-
cepted with deep regret; that he had
been given vote OF confidence and ap-
pointed member of the committee on
iurisdictional disputes.
Aren't you ashamed OF yourselves"
asked Mr.. Untermyer. The witness re-
piled that. on the contrary. he was proud
of the action the organization had taken
with regard to Chapman. He was
faithful servant to us and we don't re-
gard him guilty" said Morrisey. He
was carrying out the mandates OF our
body"
Fred Deegan. general secretary. and
Timothy Hopkins treasurer OF the
plumbers, were called but not examined
when they refused TO waive immunity.
Announcement was made yesterday
that Albert d. L.asker. chairman of the
United states Shipping Board. has been
asked TO testify regarding the amount
% building materials imported each
year, and also TO say whether the Gov
&nr,ent Is in trade combination with
sTn,satlantic lines to keep UP the cost
OF freight transportation.