Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-10-01

lhh AfPoiNTED TO WAIT ON THE DISTRICT CON-
MISsIONERS.
public meeting was held last evening at Odeon
nan, under The auspices OF the Federation OF Labor
lot the purpose OF making a protest against the
introduction into this Distrc of foreign or domestic
pauper labhr. Mr.. Z. W. oyster, the president OF
the Federation, who called the meeting to order,
stated that the committee appointed by the Fed
Grafton TO Investigate the charges that pauper
labor was being introduced here had been informed
that Peterson, contractor on the water works,
had in his employ So Italian labOrers to whom Ii
was said s1.l2k per day was paid The committee
had no opportunity OF learning exactly what was
paid, but they had grave doubts that any such
enormous sum was expended. These men, Mr.
oyster sald were quarrered in large building
somewhere In the suburbs OF the city, and had no
families Near by them was cOmmSSary store.
or, as they were called in Pennsylvania s'puck-
me-StoreS," which supplied the men with food.
The wages We're held back for two weeks, and II
the men wanted money at any time they could get
1t 10y the payment OF ten per cent. Mr. oyster said
Treasury Tor this work. and that the government 1T
was Indirectly responsible for this outrage upon
The workngmen or the District He was OF the
opinion that ii the eighi-hour law was enforced
there would 0e no need OF public meetings In the
interests Of labOrerS
Nh. oyster then called MI Jos Tanning tn the
chair, and that gentleman, before taking his seat
related some experience which he had with Italian
I1Oofers In the west Speeches were also made by
Nj Paui 1. Bowen, I. Fulton CAN'T and August
DOnath.
LIVELY EPISODE.
Upon the conclusion Of the remarks of the last
Speaker IL was proposed that committee OF eight
Dc appointed 10 draw up a memorial for presenta-
ton To the District commissioners, or II the COM
mlttee deemed best, TO wait ON the Commissioners
Mir. u. q. Mcdonald, who was in the audience
Was called TO the floor by this latter suggestion.
and exclaimed with some warmth that nm. worE,
lngLIen OF the District had waited on the COMMITS.
SlOnerS so often and with so little effect that he
saw no use Oh the committee going to them He
no
uid not believe In begging favor OF the Com
lhtoslohers what was their right. He would sup
port The resolution offered, merely TO see what the
commissioners Would do this time. But he pro-
posed 10 Oiler resolution as soon as this WAS dis.
pOoed OIL asking rom the worklngmen a cOnLribu-
ZION oi nifty cents each 10 buy 40 reyolvers for the
purpose OF cleaning out the nest OF Italians EN-.
pIoytd ON the water works.
Mr. MDONAIDS PROPOSITION DEPRECATED
Mt oyster protested that the workingmen of the
District were not in favor of sucn a remedy as TAX
Ing revolvers in their hands and going out to reap
vengeance on these poor deluded men,
Il meant the contractors first" explained MIR
Mcdonald from his seat.
man in the rear OF the hall. in reply to Mr.. Oys-
lefS remark That the revolver idea was not en-
dorSed by the workingmen, called out: "a man
near me said that he was in favor OF using four
hundred car6ines Instead of forty revolvers"
in spite Oh this testimony Mir. oyster repeated hs
1Oriner statement with more emphasis, and pro-
tested against the utterance OF sucn sentiments
This Is not a revolutionary meeting Mr. Oys-
Ter, said the chairman, asSuringly
Mir. oyster, continuing, said tnat the WORKING
men We're willing 10 do all that they could within
tile law TO correct this evil ''The time has not
come 10 this country for revolution he exclaimed
earnestly. ''aud hope that II never will come
Sucn revolution Will only be prevented by the or
gained WorkIngfnen."
REVOLUTION TO START HERE
Ibid you ever know" called out Mr.. Mcdonald.
With some sarcasm, ''of revolution starting In
The capital OF great nation? 1t Will start heren
Mr.. d. j. Mum arose to protest against such SEN
tlnenlS. and made plea for charitable considera-
ti0h Tor these men whom he said were OPPRESSED
and helpless. HE then read letter from the Secre
lary OF war, enclosing report from Can't. SyInOns
IN charge OF the water works extension who ST ate
mat the Italians employed on the work received
Sl12}s per day, instead Of 81 % as paid TO other
Eiborers He states that the reason of this is that
as rule, they are not good labOrerS as the gen.
erdi run OF white men and negroes, and spend less
money at the contractors store. Capt. Symons
tract labor imported under contract" and even II
IL was, the Office would be powerleSs to prevent IL
The resolution TO appoint q committee to address
the District Commissioners having been carried
lne cnalr announced the following committee: JOS
Tanning, f. W. oyster, August Donath. p. T.
Bowen, 4. f. CAN'T, d. j. Mum, G. j. Ennis and
John FallOn.
PARTING SHOT.
Mr.. Mum, In continuation OF his remarks crti-
cised Mr. Mcdonald quite severely for his revolver
suggestion, and MI. oyster added his voice. A
motion was then made To adjourn, and while the
vote was being taken Nr. Mcdonald tried in vain
to make his voice heard. In the lull which fol-
meeting was adjourned Mr.. Mcdonald was heard
10 exclum: II don't want to be cow hided by gen.
tleInen without saying anything But / say that
can get enough men now In this hall to 60 with
me and clean out that gang" and with this
defiance Mr.. Mcdonald joined the crowd that was
moving toward the door.