Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-08-19

The Solution Of the Labor Problem.
IMPORTANT Circular FROM THE FEDERATION OF
LABok-UNIoNs OF WASHINGTON cITY-PRosPEcr
of FAVORABLE CONGRESSIONAL ACTIoN-sTRIKKRs
ADVISED TO RESUME WORK
The following important circular has Just been
issued:
~ WASHINGTON, DC, August 16, 1882
IQ i. v. Powderly, Chairman Executive board of
Knights OF Labor, Scranton, Pa: Richard pow
ers, Chairman of Legislative Committee Fedora
ton Of Organized Trade and Labor Unions, Chi
cagO, I'LL; John Jarrett, President Amalgamated
Association OF Iron and Steel Workers, Pitts
burg, Pa; P. j. Mcguire, Secretary of Brother
?. NJ. Arthur, c. E, Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers, Cleveland, Ohio; B. T. Allen, Broth
erhood OF Locomotive Firemen, Louisville, KY. !;
A. strasser. President International Union Of
Cigar Makers, New York City; II. Henneberry,
PRESIDENT Of Coopers' International Union,
Ohio; B. Dyer secretary Granite
F. Fitzpatrick, President OF Iron Moulders' In
ternational Union, Cincinnati, Ohio; Henry Cole,
PRESIDENT BricklayerS' National Union, New
York. City; George Clark, President Interna-
tonal typographical Union, ST. Louis, No., and
lions:
GENTLEMEN: casually met to-day the Hon.
Henry W. Blair, chairman OF the committee on
euucation and labor OF the Senate OF the United
been referred the most important question of the
day-the solution OF the "labor problem" The
Of Tins Senator to Gas president
some very important Information, and requested
that should convey the substance thereof to
leading members OF the most numerically power
1ul labor organizations throughout the union, as
the facilities for direct communication with
Inose Dodies by the committee have not been
perfected as yet The Senator expressed the
opinion that the plan heretofore presented by
oae washington nsa city branch Of the Federation
representative workmen from all sections of the
union at the capital, with duly authenticated
subcommittee or directory, Will prove to be the
most practicable method of obtaining information
relative to the present condition Of the working
classes and their grievances, the causes of labor
strikes and practical suggestions as TO what will
tend TO the improvement OF their social condition.
senator Blair remarked also that a portion OF
5he public press is doing great injustice to the
senate committee by tntimating that the members
Thereon are unmindful OF the great Importance of
the vital questions submitted to them for investi-
gatlon, inslnuating that they have turned the
AFFAIR into "1unketlng party at the sea-Shore"
This erroneous impression, said the Senator, per-
haps grew out OF the fact that a subcommittee,
consisting OF Senators Aldrich, of Rhode Island
and Miller. of New York, had been assigned to the
i IN Of certain questions included
classes abroad,) which questions can only be an
swered by reference to statistics embraced in the
recently prepared census reports, and Mr.. Aldrich
choSe TOT his own convenience and comfort to
perform such tedious labors near his residence in
Ehode Island during the recess Of Congress. The
committee be 'junketing party" that all the
members would be industrously employed in a
s6us0n OF the great questions referred to them by
inc senate, ana doubtless they would feel thank
full to citizens interested in the subject for any
ilght that Will aid them in their investigations.
between capitalists. and laborers not hurriedly.
but with due deiberation. He therefore hoped
That both capitalists and laborers will select rep
rity they can place implicit reliance, and that
both parties viii do the committee the Justice
10 believe they will act honestly and fairly accord
ing to their Judgments
did not make written notes OF the conversa-
ton, which occurred on the street, but the above
Is substantially its purport
In transmitting the foregoing Information at
the request of the honorable chairman of a COM
mite designated by the supreme power (the law
making power of the land, to arbitrate between
aggressive capitalists and comparatively defense
less laborefs, l cannot resist the opportunity to
say, as co-laborer or the earnest and devoted
men 10 whom this communication is respectfully
addressed, that think it would be a wise policy
az this Juncture to advise all workmen now ION
strike" who rely upon financial aid from the
Scanty store OF their fellOw-laborerS. to resume
,corE at an early day. at least before winter with
increased expenses sets in, upon the best terms
obtafnable from their late employers, and con-
tinue to work with as much patience as they can
command until they see what Congress will do in
the matter next winter. II 1t should transpire
In this legislative inquiry that the industrial
classes are being juggled with by knayish
t'1l5 of INSCRIPTIONS power. (Which viii not be-
Ieve until 1t Is clearly proved,) national strike
could be 1naugurated within thirty days after the
adjournment of Congress next March by the uni
ned labor organizations of the United States with
tenfold more effect than the recent strikes of
loO,OOO men. If the siege is raised and hostilities
cease for the winter the FUNDS devoted to sus-
tanning strikes may be more effectively applied to
tee OF vgant and active workers at the capital in
colectlng and preparing statistics to sustain our
case before Congress
diSclaim any authority from any body of man
1or the suggestion contained in the above para
graph, but submit it as my individual view OF the
present SITUATION. Very respectfully,
ALEXANDER NJ. kENADAY
President Federation OF Labor-Unions of wash
fngton City.