Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-08-20
ATTENTION, WORKINGHEN
An Important munieafion from
President Kennedy, of fhe
Federation of Labor Unions of wash.
fngtoa city.

WASHINGTON, August 19.-Alexsnder
Kennedy, president of the Federation oil
Labor Unions of Washington, has addressed
a communication to the chiefs of the various
labor organizations throughout the country,
in which he gives the substance of conver-
sation with Senator Blair, chairman Of the
Senate Committee on Education and Labor.
The communication ia dated the 10th, and
is IS follows:
GENTLEMEE-I casasliy met to-day the
Hon. II. w. Blair, chairman of the Com
mlttee on Education and Labor of the Sem
ate, to which committee has been referred
the most important question OF the day, the
solution of the labor problem. The disiin-
guished senator impaired to me- as president
of the Federation Of Labor Unions in
this city, some very important information,
and requested 1 should convey the substance
thereof to the leading members of the
numerically powerful labor organizations
thrnnsbont the Union, az the facilities for
direct communications Win tn0sv-box4i1s by
the committee has not been perfected as yet.
The senator expressed the opinion that the
plan heretofore prescribed by the Washing
ton City branch of the federation of labor,
namely, a central committee of representa-
tive Workmen from all sections of the Union
at the capital, with duly authenticated sub
committee or directory, will prove the most
practicable method OF obtaining information
relative TO the present condition OF the
working classes and their grievance the
CAUSES OF labor strikes, and practical sug-
gestions as to what will tend to the improve
ment of their social condition. Senator
Blair remarked also that a portion of the
public press is doing great injustice to
the Senate committee by intimating that
the members thereof are unmindfuI OF
the great Importance of the vital ques-
tions submitted to them for investi-
tion, insinusting that they have turned
the affair into junketing party at the sea-
shore. II will be the aim of the committee
to fairly adjust the relations between capital
lists and laborers, not hurriedly, but with due
deliberation. He therefore hopes that both
capitalists and laborers will select represent
stives in whose judgment and integrity they
can place reliance, and both parties to do
them the justice to believe they will act hon.
estly and fairly according 10 their judg-
ments In transmitting the foregoing
information at the request of the
honorab e chairman of the committee desig-
mated by the supreme power, the law-mak-
ing power of the land, to arbiirate between
aggressive capitalists and comparatively de-
fenseless laborers, 1 cannot resist the oppor
tunity 10 say as a co-laborer of the earnest
and devoted men to whom this communica-
would be wise policy at this juncture to
advise all workingnen on a strike who rely
upon financial aid from the scanty store OF
their f-llow-laborers to resume work
at an early day, at least before
the winter sets in, with increased
expenses, upon the best terms OBJ
tainable from their late employers, and con-
tinue work with as much patience as they
can command until they see what Congress
will do in the matter next winter. If it
should transpire in this legislative inquiry
that the industrial classes are being juggled |
with by the knavish tools of inscriptions |
power (Which / will not believe until it is |
clearly proved), national strike could |
be inaugurated within thirty days after |
the adjournment of Congress next |
March, By the united labor organizs-
lions of the United States, With |
tenfold more effect than the recent strikes of |
10000 men. If the siege is raised and hos
tililies cease for the winter, the funds now |
devoted to sustaining strikes may be more |
effectively applied TO the economical n sinte-
nance of central committee of vigilant and |
active workers at the capital, in TIE coliec- |
ton spd preparing of statistics TO sustain our |
cause before Congress. / disclsill any a6-
lhority from any body OF men for the sug-
gestion contained in the above paragraph, |
but submit it as my individual view OF the |
present situation. Very respectfully,
ALEXANDER NJ. KENNEDY,
Pres. Federation Labor Unions, Washington City. |