The Labor Dispatch (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 6, No. 48, Ed. 1 Friday, December 22, 1916 Page: 3 of 8
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VOL. VI
GALVESTON, TEXAS, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22nd, 1916
f
No. 48
7
COM. SHAY SHOWS ROBINSOH’S MOTIVE
REPORT TO PRESIDENT SAMI GOMPERS
Ar-
9
-
WhereDy tneir demands could be heard
a#
Kelly:
property,. Mr. Kelly?”
\
"/
at its convention
a
I see that the water main is to beGentlemen:
On Friday evening the general
milk ordinance and
carefully go over it.
a
a very
long affair, and took care of
many
quiring of public drivers to have
the public
against outside
But 26
stopping of streets cars on the
Mayor Fisher interposed,
go
i
permanent.
ordinance.
3
0
/
A
N
N
near
say-
side.
ing:
City Attorney Royston then advis-
ed the board that he had also at hand
The city
purpose
re-
i a
A. P. NORMAN
V.President
W.LMMODY,1II
Piendent
American
Bank & Trust
Company
W. L, MOODY, HI
President
21st and Market
Streets
passed will be opposed by the Ameri-
can Feieration of Labor and the- rail-
road brotherhoods.
21s and Market
Streets
Mr. Wrn.
Texas.
Dear Sir:
c. w. CLAWSON
Cashier
PRES. CUNNINGHAM VISITS
: SECRETARY-TREAS. slater
5. In reply to the communication
received from Mr. John D. Kelley,
city secretary, dated December 15th
1916, which reads as follows:
A
65
W
expenses as were read out by Mr.
Keley, city secretary, totaling $24,-
059.93.
Galveston, Dec. 21, 1916.
M. M. E. Shay, Commisioner of Wa-
ter Works and Sewerage, Galves-
ton, Texas.
Dear Sir:
1 1 he matter of the city furnishing
sewer facilities for the property in
the west end in the neighborhood of
39 th and PV was reported on by' Mr.
Dickey as follows:
-on. At a meeting of the employes
- asked them had the company pard
them from June 2nd the scale o.
omy mrougn tneir organization.
In conclusion, I reel satsned that
organized labor will not see those
8irks suner on account of them mak-
statement is correct. . Mr. Foster’s
recent letter states that a fall of sev-
eral inches per block can be had by
C. W. GLAWSON
€ashie
Labor Legislation T o Come Before
Next House Discussed.
denied having been paid according
that scale.
The Proposed Traffic Ordinance Covers Many
Points Public Hearing. Set For
January 10th.
committee from tue Trades Council,
and also Mr. Pieiter, a business man
ol Fort Arthur.
immigrants arrived from the Balkan
nations of Bulgaria, Serbia, Monte-
negro and Roumania.
I he leading states to which these
immigrants were ticketed are as fol-
lows: New York, 10,135; Massachu-
etts, 4753; Michigan, 1580, and Cali-
lornia 1562.
Of the southern States, Kentucky
and Mississippi received 6; Arkansas
10; South Carolina 15; Alabama 16,
and Georgia 25.
each commissionr so
Third. I am afraid should the city
undertake to take over and complete
the job, and make it hold an air test
of 40 pounds, that they will be work-1
ing on it this time next year and in
the end it will not stand the test of
10 pounds, and there is no limit to the
expense. You may spend $20,000.00
with no better results than you have
of that was to protect
one be sent to
that they might
A motion in
tent the company will go to mislad
the public.
While in Austin Nov. 27th, one of
their agents called up a party to en-
deavor to have Governor Ferguson
induced to send some rangers to Port
Arthur. Knowing the labor people of
Port Arthur as well as I do, I laughed
at the idea of rangers being necessary
to protect any company whose work-
ers were asking a living wage. When
we pause to think that those girls
were only receiving $18.00 per month,
and aa maximum of $36.00 per month,’
and in many instances those girls in-
volved worked from 30 to 90 days for
this company without any remunera-
tion whatever, it certainly would be
a strange procedure for our honora-
ble governor or any other official of
Warren of -the street car
Mr. Foster is in error. The best that
can be done in regard to grade line
from 37th to 39th Streets is approxi-
mately one-half in per 100 feet,
and this construction can ont be re-
commended for the reason that con-
tinual cleaning and flushing will be
necessary to keep the sewer line in
operation.
line with the mayor's suggestion pre-
vailed.
In compliance with ybur request,
and referring to my letter to you of
date December 13th,- in regard to re-
building the sewer line in alley be-
tween Avenues 0% and P, from 33rd
Street to 39th Street, I beg to make
you the following report.
Mr. Foster’s first letter states that
the line can be rebuilt from 37th
Street to 39th Street, with a fall of 2
inches per block, reaching an eleva-
tion at 39th Street which will permit
rhe sewer line passing the grade of
gutter crossing 39th Street. This
-—
IMMIGRATION FIGURES.
cars coming in- the
such a test. I state this from person-
al experience.
traffic ordinance that was
--------- Respectfully,
EDW. CUNNINGHAM,
President State Federation of Labor.
an informal manner, in the. forenoon
of the 15th or December 1 met Mr.
Midaleton in company with Brother
-aspergue, a member of the loea.
esolved then to meet with the agents
the Trades Council that the company
would not open negotiations as there
was nothing to arbitrate. At this 2
meeting I asked the girls present had
tne scare been complied with that was
posted June 2nd, and they frankly
stated it had not, nor no provisions
that they knew of had been made tc.
pay that scale until alter the present
trouble arose.
be held up on it until such a time un-
were not to be licensed,
attorney explained that the
“That is something that Mr.
brother cunningnam was on his
way home from Port Arthur to Fort
vv orth.
Of the number admitted last Octo-
oer, laborers lead with 7371. Farmf
aborers were next with 2295. Greece
supplied the largest number of im-
Recent advances in all lines of in-
, dustry proves that the girls were ab-
solutely right in demanding an in-
crease, ana tnere was no ocner avenue
Chief Gernand answered it was a
dangerous condition, and in the worst
condition than when we last report-
ed it, and is a dangerous fire risk,
A motion tthen prevailed to give
the property owners ten days in
which to tear it down, and upon their
failing to do so, the city was to do it.
A petition to erect a kitchen in the
fire limits was refused.
The city was then presented with
We have to say:
I We deny that the buildings men-
tioned are a nuisance or dangerous to
either* public health or safety, and
deny and dispute your right to order
them taken down or removed, be-
cause said improvements are valuable
property to your petitioners and are
out of repair on account of the storm
aforesaid; to take down and remove
the buildings would entail a loss to
the undersigned of $3000.00 or more,
and the cost of the repairs desired
will be ’only one-third of the value of
the buildings and improvements, and
we respecfully ask that you permit us
to preserve our property; to refuse
the repairs asked for would amount
to taking our property with due pro-
cess of law, which we claim is illegal
and not within your power or right.
" Dated December 21st, 1916.
W. J. C. CROSSMAN, :
2319 Postoffice Street.
City Attorney Royston asked Mr. ,
tion that existing federal arbitration
and mediation laws be amended to
pi ovide that a full public investiga-
con of the’ merits of every such dis-
pute shall be instituted and completed
velore a strike or lockout may law-
ukly be ■ attempted.”
This suggestion is similar to the
present Canadian industrial disputes
Port Arthur, Tex., Dec. 18, 1916
In reviewing the situation at Port
Arthur as I tind it relative to the dis-
pute between the Texas Long Dis-
tance Telephone Co. and their em-
ployes, Local 17, A., I. B. E. W., the
situation was somewhat aggravated
the, State of Texas to pay a hired
guard or any kind to assist this com-
pany in guarding strike-breakers that
took the places of those girls who
Were demanding through organized
enort a living wage.
mittee met with a representative
committee of the business men ol
Port Arthur, and endeavored to open-
up negotiations tor a settlement. The
ast September, called on the Domin-
ion- government .to repeal this law,
whchhas been inffect nine years.
on the eight hour questions Presi-
dent Wilson made, this recommenda-
tion:’
The establishment of an eight-
hour day as the legal basis alike of
work and of wages in the employ-
ment of all- railroad employes who
are actually engaged in tne work of
operating trins in interstae transpor-
tation. "
(c) To repair and replace the roof.
W- le repair the awning roof.
(e) To place new sills under the
Wet,, north and south sides of the
buiding, and through the center
(f) To splice at he rafters on the
east side, which were cut off by the
contractor repairing and building the
brick wall along the west side of the
Washington, Dec. 20.—The bureau
°c immigration, federal department
of labor, reports that 44,062 immi-
grants arrived in this counrty during
the month of October.
This is an increase over October,
1915, when the number was 31,215, ’
and practically an equal number for
October, 1914, when the arrivals to-
to taled 45,241.
be received and filed. Commissioner
Shay requested the press to publish
the letter in full and could quote him
for the statement that Mr. Robinson
would in the near future announce for
commissioner of water works and
sewerage.
The matter of the North American
Dredging Co. still owing some men
pay because of violation of the city
ordinance, pay to be paid on munici-
pal contracts, was before the board.
Judge Royston informed the board
that ‘he informed the attorneys of
these men to enter suit against the
North American Dredging Co, and
the city would come in in the light of
a stake holder, ready and willing to
whomsoever the court would decree.
The reports of officers and Chief
. This sewer lateral can be rebuilt
irom 35th Street to 39th Street with a
grade of approximately 7 inches fall
per block, for a total approximate
cost of $1500.00. This construction is
not recomended, but may be permit-
ted inasmuch as a great many other
sewer laterals in the city have been
built upon approximately the same
grade line.
grade line. Yours truly,
A. T. DICKEY,
City Engineer.
Mr Norman to Mr. Shay: “I
thought your motion was to prepare
plans and specifications on both
plans.”
to each commissioner. A motion pre-
service and is in all other respects a
good and safe and dependable job. I
say in the interest of the taxpayers of
this city it should be accepted. Very
respectfully yours,
GEO. E. ROBINSON.
At the conclusion of the reading of
the letter a motion prevailed that it
H. Crossman, Galveston,
Sedwick were received that six per-
sons were in the county jail.
Galveston, Tex LDcart uvelyH
Galveston, Dec 21, 1916 j
l o the Honorable Board of Commis-
sioners of the City of Galveston.
Gentlemen:
Independent Telephone Company At Port
thur Asks For State Rangers For Pro-
tection Against Striking Girls.
pair and condition, excepting as here-
inafter stated; that it is tenantable
and occupied on the ground floor bv
W.. F. Crossman for the purpose of needed reforms,- principally the
a hvery stable; that the second story ’ ______
of the building is occupied for the license, but provided private drivers
purposes oi sleeping apartments.
care, 29d
1235 4325
E28230
g4,86.
Eg***
of the company, which 1 later did in
42313
what the contractor was going to do.
Mr. Sealy suggested that the mat-
ter be referred to Mayor Fisher and
Mr. Shay After a lot of discussion
the matter was referred to a joint
committee of Mr. Shay, Mayor Fish-
er and Mr. Leonard, inspector on the
work.
Mr. Leonard stated to the Board
that some work that Mr. Heffron did
was according to his orders, but Heff-
ron was to do it on a cost and 10 per
cent basis, and he said until Mr. Heff-
ron submitted an itemized bill, there
was no way for his to approve or
disapprove of the bill. He did
city when business was good in the
summer time. This way would re-
quire the obtaining of a license from
the chief of police.
The ordinance also included the
‘It was ordered condemned and
torn down some time ago, before the
last storm.”
Hi
vailed and it was ordered. ■
Wednesday, January 10th, at 10
o clock was the the and place set
for the public hearing from the pub-
lice who is interested
wants to be heard on and I told him I . _________
we would give him a hearing.” Con- onPndacenfor cement, but will
tinuing, the city attorney explained
justment with representatives of or-
premises immediately adjacent on the I
east. . I
a statement made by the president oi migrant geo, , --
this company that they offered their ma® rants, 4504, followed by Italy with
employes a rate of wages 10 per elm 109, and Mexico with 2386. But 26
higher than the rate demanded by
the employes. This statement is em-
phatically denied by the employes,
dnd also by Bro. Goble, the represen-
tative of the organization involved.
In connection with this dispute, I
wish the people of'Port Arthur and
the public to understand to what ex-
, .. ‘Do you thing it
Ouid ne profitable to the city to
spend three thousand dollars for one
dlock of sewerage?”
. He was advised very pointely that
.t was^not a question of making a
Profit for the city, but it was a clear
Guty the city owed the property own-
ers out in that neighborhood, and
‘■hat the department had the money
,0 do the work, and that it ought to
be done.
sanzed labor However, he arranged
and requested me to meet with Mr.
Keppler, general superintendent oi
me company, at 2:30 that afternoon.
We met in the office of the company
with Mr. Pieffer and Bro. A. Rich.
During the interview I asked the
Company’s representative had they
paid their employes the schedule of
wages which they voluntarily poted
m their office on June 2nd. They as-
sured me they had paid their girls
according to that schedule. Again I
was told by Mr. Kepler that they
would not deal with heir employes
or the representatives of a labor un-
safe as a water main.
Second, I believe it is impossible
to construct such a main either un-
der water or Out of it that will stand
that the ordinance prohibits more
than three rent cars on one side of a
streets, and many other reforms.
Mayor Fisher: “I think, gentle-
men, we have a very complete ordi-
rom a public point of view.
On my arrival at Port Arthur I met
with the employes of the above
company, and found that all efforts
At a meeting of the board of city
commissioners held December 14,
1916, I was instructed to notify you
to appear before the board on Thurs-
day, December 21st, 1916, at the ciy
hall at 5:30 o’clock p„. m., to show
cause, if any you can, why the build-
ings situated at 2315-17 E, heretofore . ______ - J. ..u J,
condemned as a nuisance and danger- rebuilding the line from 37th Street
ous, should not be taken down and to th Street. “In this sstatement
removed. Yous respectfull, 0 "
JOHN D. KELLEY, ’
City Secretary.”'
Mr. Shay: “Yes, but Mr. Dickey
says it cannot be done on the Foster
av,,. • .1 j , plan, and I would like for the com-
What is the record on that mission to advertise for bids in ac- '
cordance with Mr. Dickey’s report.” (
Mra Sealy wanted to know out of
which fund the money was to come.
Me was advised by Commissioner
hay, that the sewer extension fund
was in good shape and able to take
Relative to the discussion of wages
I have also been reliably informed oi
“Compulsory institutions to pre-
. — vent strikes are not new. They have
in he traflicbeen found in other countires and
found wanting.”
WMc
Official Organ of the Galoeston^Liboi Corneil, Dock and Marine CouncU of .Galveston and Vidinity
A communication from the Surf I
Eath House Company explained/that
Lie company was broke and without
unds, and that all of the assets it
- - ------ had were the seven piling standing
petition pertaining to the milk ordi- OHt in the gulf. They tendered the
Piling, and they were accepted.
The Deep Water Committee asked
or $2500.00. Judge Fisher explained
we ought to be cutting down in
WeW of the city being in such a con-
lit, on financially. ” However, the
oard was of the opinion that the
deep water committee was doing lots
f good work, and Mr. Shay made a
notion that the $2500.00 be paid. All
the commisioners voted aye, but
Mayor Fisher requested that he be
recorded as voting no.
Dr. Sapington asked permission
to.take UP the matter of opening up
2Oth Street. Permission was granted , , - --------- ------
Appropriatoins were made to cover Poted to the general committee
1
During our conversation I was ■ ---- -uu.
given trankly to understand that this gress.. of Canada -
company would not negotiate an ad-
A motion prevailed giving Mr. Shay
Permision to advertise for bids.
Mr. Shay asked permission of the
board to move the fountain on 19th
and M% moved. He explained, that
it. was a nuisance where it was, and
giving no benefit. The permission
was granted.
Judge Royston then asked in turn
the building inspector,- the city engia care of this work,
neer and Mr. Gernand, chief of the Mr Norman:"
HEFFRON MAKES ANOTHER
START ON WATER MAIN
to cost not exceeding $1000.00 and
to be made of like material used orig-
inally in the construction of said
building and impnovements, and
which will place the building in good
condition.
nance. It was -suggested that action
—he following report was made by
Srother Cunningham to President ing a demand for the lving wagezy
-amuel Gompers, of the American were entitled to. Respectfuliv -
federation of Labor:
• . ) '
American
Bank & Trust
Company
again discussed at the meeting this The undersigned, R. A. Crossman,
evening. As a taxpayer and a citizen! W. ,H. Crossman, Mrs. Margaret til the city wanted
who is deeply interested in securing bur ke, Ethel Durling and Robert
an efficient, dependanble, safe andrKenneyarespectully show:
able water service as anyone in Gal-the premhisstheitztedhat oynersanf
Veston, and a man of practical expe- 2317 Postoffice Street, in the city and
rience in the construction of water county of Galveston, Texas, together
maims and laterals, I submit to vou with the buildings and improvements
these suggestions: I situated thereon.
First it is not esc,-;, ,,, 1. , That there is located on the
9 \ / t that the Laid lots and premises a one and two
water mam should be required to story wooden building, in good re-
stand a test of 40 pounds air to be “ 3 1
ousmess men 'Selected a committee
.o interview the company to tind out
if a meeting could be arranged.
Saturday evening, Dec. 16th, the
committee from the business men re-
to state the date to .that
make it operative. Mayor Fisher sug-
gested that a copy be made of the
. I respectfully beg leave to report
that I have caused notice to be served
I on Wm. H. Crossman, owner of dilap-
dated buildings at 2315-17 E, to ap-
pear before this board on Thursday
December 21st, 1916, at 5:30 o’clock
P. M. to show cause, if any he can,1
why said buildings should no tbe torn
down and removed. Yours respect-
fully, JNO. D. KELLEY,
City Secretary,
say, however, that Mr. Heffron’s billl A. communication was read apper-?
did not at all line up with the records tainin8,to the controversy before the
he had of such work as was done Doard,for the condemnation of some
The following letter was read from dilapidated property owned by Mr.
a 'taxpayer: F A. Cross man and others.
Galveston, Dec. 21 1916 The communication is as follows:
‘ TonthesWonorable Board of City Com-To .'he ForstinPra21orjomm.
Gentlemen nissioners of the City of Galves-
----------------- \
Contractor Send Letter to City Stating
His Intshtion
investigation act, which makes
strikes in public utilities illegal unless
ne dispute is first investigated by a
commnission appointed by the govern-
men.. - The Trades and Labor Con-
Congress. was also urged to em-
power the chief executive, in case of
military necessity, “to take control of
such portions and such rolling stock
ot the railways of the country as
may be required for military use and
—-.....— • jun. cnu me scale p 10 operate them for military purposes
wages above referred to, and the girls Witn authority to draft into the mili-
den ad -------, .. - r to ary service ot the..United States such
° trains crews and administrative offi-
com- cers as the circumstances require for
their safe and efficient use.”
V ocational and industrial education
was urged, as was the proposed
amendments of the organic law of
Porto Rice.
———O-—
OPPOSE “CAN’T STRIKE” LAW.
Washington, Dec. 20.—President
Wilson’s recommendation to con-
gress that a “can’t strike” law be
At the last convention of the A. F.
Of held in Baltimroe, the report
of the. executive council on this ques-
tion was unanimously adopted.
Involuntary and complsory labor
company nce enforced,” it was staed, “even
or a single hour, will not halt at its
• ,-
Diplomatic correspondence was
again indulged in between the city
commissioners and Contractor Heff-
ron referring to the water main "con-
tract. The following letter was .re-
ceived and filed by the board:
- To the Honorable Board of City Com-
misioners, Galveston, Texas.
Gentlemen: •
This will advise you that I will
proceed with the work of completion
of my contract of the submerged
war main, and will be ready for
your engineer to go over the line
within a day or two. Yours truly,
ISAAC HEFFRON.
Inasmuch as the five days had not
elapsed as per the contract, the'job
is opened up again. Mr. Heffron had
another letter in before the board
asking for payment of $975.80, one for
salving joints of 30 inch pipes, the
other for moving some 116 joints,
and another for disconnecting the
submerged main to make the test.
Commissioner Shay suggested that ;
the matter be deferred to a further ,
date because no one could tell just
fire department, their opinions as to
the condition of the building. Mr.
Rabe answered that it was about the
[worst in town, and there was a very
dangerous condition,
Mr .Dickey’s answer was that it
was a very dangerous and bad at-1
tair.
(g) To repair and replace the
sheeting wherever necessary.
(h- To repair the sky-lights.
All of the above- mentioned repairs
•djust the difficulty had railed. I
PRESIDENT FAVORS
“CAN’T STRIKE” LAW
■ Washington, Dec. 20.—President
V ilson s .massage to the joint session
of congress included a recommenda-
— '3
A. P. NORMAN
V-President.
"The human labor power which
ims law compels Wage earners to
81Ve .to their employers against their
W1 its inseparable from the body and
the personality of the wage earners,
t is part of the men and women
, , , T , , themselves. They cannot be forced
nance, and I make the same sugges-1O work for an employer against their
tion as the milk ordinance, that wewills without reducing them to the
have copies made of it and serd oneegaconditions of slaves and trans-
.0rmng. their minds and spirits into
nose of slaves. No more dangerous
proposition has ever been proposed
man this compulsory investigation
measure.
yS4Ee
3. That the said wooden buliding
Was constructed in about the year
1881, and was located upon said pre-
mises prior to the inactment of the
I revised ordinance o fthe city of Gal-
Veston relating to the erection anr
repairing of wooden buildings, known
as on Building Code, adopted Octo-
er 29th, 1914, and the ordinances
amendatory thereof and supplemental
thereto, and prior to he enactment
_ Rre"TmieF"tnerefn.of aud city Fins
Fourth. I understand that the city tht hThscahuj 1dirs.wasadamaged.by
engineer says it is a good safe water and your petiioners desire to repair
job, and if such is the case, and thesaid building; the said improvements
main is a safe main ana will give the are0 the.value of $3000.00 and up-
city of Galveston good and sufficient ^^appliea!^ pnderagned
7,,of the ordinance known as the
Building Code as aforesaid, such re-
pairs to be as follows, towit:
(a) To replace and repair the rear
wall of said building, whch, was dam-
aged by the storm of August, 1915
tel) FO repair the flashing and gut-
Brother Edward Cunningham,
president of the Texas State Federa-
tion of Labor, came to Galveston
Wednesday for a conference with
Secretary and Treasurer of the State.
Federation of Labor, George H. Sla-
ter, on legislative matters to come
berorethe next legislature.
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Young, J. W. The Labor Dispatch (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 6, No. 48, Ed. 1 Friday, December 22, 1916, newspaper, December 22, 1916; Galveston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1481628/m1/3/?q=music&rotate=90: accessed June 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rosenberg Library.