Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-04-16
The Painters, Grievances.

THEIR DEMANDS ENDORSED AT A MAss-MEETISG OF
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS BY REPRESENTATIVES
OF VARIOUS UNIONS
rnass-meeting of the workingmen OF this Dis
trict, held at Odd Fellows Hail. 9TH street. Satur-
day night, under the auspices or the Federation
OF Labor Unions, was largely attended by members
or Che several labor organizations. The purpose
or this mass-meeting was to give aid and comfort
to the Painters Union, the members OF which are
virtually on strike for uniform price of 50 per
day, and against which the boss painters fix the
wages ut $3.50 per day.
MI. A. NJ kenaday, president OF the federated
labor associations presided with s. E. Boyce, sec
rotary Mr.. Kenaday stated that the proposition
made by the master painters association to en-
ploy men IL they would not contract for work
without withdra awning from the Union would meet
with no sympathy either among the house-owners
or the journeymen TO say that small number
or masters $50 called can have an exclusive
right to contract for all the house painting was
absurd He proposed, as q plan for relief that
the journeymen should elect their own foremen
and divide the profits OF their labor among them
serves on The principle Of cooperation.
Mr. Thom?s Denham, OF the Painters Union,
read the form OF agreement drawn up by the
bosses to load down the journeynen, but into
III was as follows: IL - do hereby agree not
10 interfere with any labor placed in this shop
And further agree to let Mr.. - keep back fiji
teen per cent or my wages until leave the said
shop. And should l interfere with the employ
nent OF any labor agree TO forfeit all OF the said
fifteen per cent which the said boss holds for me
MI BROCK, of the Typographical Union, said the
printers would contribute 10 cents each OF their
weekly earnings to sustain the painters The pr1n-
ters would contribute the full quota, fl necessary
rather than sacrifice the principle Involved. He
cited what had been done in Massachusetts, by the
trades unions, and said Ben Butler is the best
friend the trades unions have to-day. He advised
mechanics everywhere to vote for him for the
next President. [Applause.l
Dr. Thomas, or tue B0Okb nders Union, strongly
endorsed the principle or right sought for by the
Painters Union, and said the boOkbinders would
assist them in their battle for the right.
Mr. Mcnamara. Of the Timers Union, in the
course OF speech. said the prospects were that
house-bulldlng Will be greatly Increased this sum-
mer The painters want to share fairly and
equitabiy IN the prosperity, should the season
prove to be prosperous.
Mr.. EckenS, cigarmaker Of Baltimore recited
the action OF the Cgarmakers' Union, In that city,
and s9id they had united. and are putting up what
Is known as the "Union trade cigars" made by
this COMBINATION OF jOurneymen, who are making
more money than they ever did by working for the
bosses Everybody smokes these cigars, thereby
creating constant demand for them.
Encouraging remarks were made by Messrs
Plass, OF the Plumbers UniOn Mr.. OBrien, OF the
StonecutterS Union; Mr.. Wright, OF the Printers
Un1on,' land MI. Oyster OF the same union.
The secretary read the resolutions which had
Oeen prepared and were adopted: "That the work.
lnSfnen or Washington, In mass meeting assem-
bied heartily indorSc the action Of the Federation
OF LABOR unions, and ADVISE the Painters Union to
continue the struggle with the bosses until It's
reasonable and just demands have been complied
with"
Mr.. NJ Donald, Of the Tailors' Union, made the
closing address, in which he stated that some OF
the clothing dealers ara getting rich on prison and
ScaD LABOR, While honest dealers have to 'RO slow"
Oh tne road 10 pecuniary prosperity.