The Labor enquirer., 1883-02-10
A. BILL
70 Authorize the Incorporation Of Ma
tional Trades Unions in the Dis
trict Of Columbia. II

atiyes at Washington, which was read
for the second time January 25, 1888, and
referred to the committee on the Dis
trict of Columbia, and ordered to be
printed: - . L.. X t.....'... I.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the senate
and house of representatives of the
United States of America in congress
assmbled, That from and after the pass
age and approval Of this act it shall be
lawful for any nine or more persons of
lawful age, majority ofmhom shall at
the time be actual residents of the Dis
trict of Columbia, and who are members
of any one or more organized trades or
labor unions in good standing, to apply
for and receive in the names of them
selves, their associates, and successors, a
certificate of incorporation from and
under the seal and authority of the su-
preme court of the District of Columbia,
and to become thereby a body corporate
and polite, with right ofssuccession, and
may in their corporatescapacity name,
sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded,
prosecute and defend, in any of the
courts of said District or of the United
States, may buy and sell, have, hold, pos
sess, assign, lease, or transfer real, per-
sonal, or mixed property may possess a
common seal, and do all lawful acts usual
and necessary for bodies corporate.
Sec. 2. That the objects of the national
trade unions and of the branches and
subordinate unions to be established
pursuant to the provisions hereof are
hereby declared to be the associating or
combining together of trades and work
ingmen in any branch of industry or
manufactures, now or hereafter to be or
ganized, for the purpose of aiding mem
hers of such unions or organizations to
bacome more skillful and efficient
workers the promotion of their general
intelligence; the improvement OF their
material condition; the elevation of
their character; the regulation OF their
wages the hours and conditions OF their
labor; the protection of their joint and
individual rights in the prosecution of
their trade or trades, or industrial avo-
cations; the collection and payment OF
finds for the benefit of sick, disabled or
unemployed members, and the securing
of henefts to the families of deceased
members: and for such other objects for
which workingmen and. their families
NAV lawfully combine, having in view
their mutual protection and benefit.
Sac, 8. That any such incorporated
union may possess real estate, not ex-
ceeding $4,000 in value, and may do all
lawful acts in relation thereto that any
private person or corporation may do.
SEC. 4. That the unions thus incorpor-
ated shall, once in each year, make re-
mort in writing to the chief justice of the
supreme court of the District of Colum-
hia. under the seal of such union, and
duly verified by the oath of the master
workman, presiding officer, or president
of such union or association, setting
forth:
First-The names and respective places
of residence of the officers OF such union
Second-The amount and value OF any
real estate owned or leased by such
union, and annual rental thereof
Third-The amount Of money or other
nroperty owned by said union, and the
amounts received and paid during the
wear for the business and objects of the
organization.
Fourth-The number of workmen who
shall be members of such organization.
SEC. 5. That such reports shall be made
on or before the first day of July in each
year, and shall refer to the condition OF
such organization on the thirtieth day OF
June preceding, and shall be filed III the
office of the clerk of said court.
SEC. 6. That such unions may make,
alter, or amend all needful rules and
regulations concerning the collection of
funds, and the distribution thereof, for
the purposes of the union; they may, in
like manner, establish such rules in re-
4 gard to the pursuit and conduct.of the
respective trades and industries repre-
seuted by them as may be lawful; and
may, upon the application of majority
OF heir members, apply for and receive
4 iron any judge of said court an order
dlss,lving such corporation upon such