National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-03
THE UNITED W9RKINGMEN.
MEETING OF THE CENTRIE COM
MITTEE OF TRADES UNIONS.

DISCUSSION OF THE NEIGHBOUR MOVE
| MENT-PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS
ADoPTED-INDoRsEMEN OF PREslDEsET
GRANT-PRINTING OFFICES CRITICISED
ADHESION TO THE UNIONS ADVOCATED.
meeting Of the central committee Of Irsdes'
unions was held last night at Mechanics hAll, ON
louisiana avenue adjoining police headquarters.
:. fiank Whtmors occupied the chair, and J. II.
| Reed secretary.
ThO.. Herbert, of Sfouns Vernon Lodge Of the
oniteo order OF American Plastersrs, was i'd
mitted as member ofths committee.
The committee, to whom was referred tbs rph-
ject Of printing tho constitution, reported pro-
gress.
Mr.. Halleck thought the committee shopld mot
endeavor to get the work done on a chaan
scale, but give 8 good price for the work and
carry oukthe doctrines preached--that thu work.
ingmen should receive the highest wages. In
this city there is class Of men who do not belong
to the typographical union, who are clerks In the
departments, and after once hours do job print
ing, and do the same for small prices. Working
men should patroniIe their own people and let the
other class go BY. He opposed giving work to any
| ONCE that does not pay tho hands fair wages.
Mr. Robinson moved that Mr.. Halleek be 70
quested to give the secretary List Of those oces
| that are not considered fair.
Mr.. Halleck began to enumerate the ofices, bus
| finding that the job was very great gave mn I'm
| disgust. He opposed all ofices wherein boys arc
worked.
Mr.. Reed agreed with Mr.. HaIleck, vet he
| thought objection should have been raised befors
and as the work has been given out he eouId NOT
see how 1t could be taken from the person who
had secured It. He favored giving good prices
| for work, and would be the last man to recon-
mend having the same done by cheap labor In
the future he advised that work be done In fair
houses.
Mr.. Halleck did not think the chairman Of the
committee, who gave out the work Of printing,
knew the hrm to be an enemy OF the Printers
Union. Had he known this. there can be no doubt
he would have given It elsewhere. In the ofics
| where the printing is being done there is some
thing unclean, and as yet It has not been gotten
down to. He knew that all workingmen Will NOT
advance the interests Of those who are endeaVor-
ing to cut down wages.
Mr.. Howard thought the discussion had gone
far enough. Printers, as well as all other work.
inRmen, should receive the highest wages-the
former always demand It. He moved the subject
lay over for one week; which was agreed tot
The committee on memorials submitted report,
which was adopted. Attached to the report was a
series Of resolutions demanding eight hours as .
legal days work and calling on Congress to con-
tinus the eight-hour law, and strongly indorsing
President Grant for the part he has taken in this
matter.
The report was adopted.
Mr.. Halleck moved that the memorial be printed
and circulated throughout the United States to
every known workingmen's organization; which
was adopted.
The committee next proceeded to an election Of
president, vice Frank Herman, resigned at the
last meeting. Messrs. T. W. Howard and ].
Frank Whitmore wero nominated. Mr.. Howard
declined, and Mr.. WhItmors was unanimously
elected.
Mr.. Whitmore returned thanks for the honor
conferred, and promised faIthfulness to the trust
Mr.. Robinson called attention to Q resolution
adopted by the committee, naming May as the
day set apart for demanding eight hours as .
days labor. He thought, as the time was rapidly
approaching, some action should be taken in this
direction, he SPOKE On this ;r -sIysss q Pqss
violent manner, and In his remarks, while speak
ing Of the Board Of Public Works, he classed
hem as q pack Of thieves. He declared his in
tention Of fighting for eight hours at all hazards
If nothing else can be done, Q combination shop
will be started. He spoke very harshly Of the
bosses, and expressed not the least sympathy
for them.'
Tho delegates in turn reported the feeling Of
their societies, and all expressed themselves to
the effect that they strongly favored eight hours
The question Of time when the demand should b
made is as yet unsettled, many unions being Of
the opinion that the 4th day Of May would be too
early. He spoke Of the mechanics not being
united on this question, aud that Il would be use
less to attempt anything until the mechanics be-
come more thoroughly organized.
Adjourned.