Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-09
THE CONGRESS OF LABOR.
The Session To-day Action On the
Strike Benefit Law-Other Matters Of
Interest Considered.

The Session To-day Action ON the
Strike BENEFIT Law-Other Matters Of
Interest Considered.
When the Federation OF Labor Unions OF the
United States and Canada convened for their
| afternoon session at Grand Army hall yester-
day the following officers were elected: NJ. ID.
Connolly, OF Cincinnati, president; Gabriel Ed
| monston, of this city, aud VIM. II. Foster, Of
Philadelphia, secretaries; VIM. +. Tomson, OF
Chicago; Samuel Gompers, Of New York. and
+. w. Oyster, of this city, members OF q COM
mittee on standing orders.
The secretary's report showed that some ad-
| vance had been made during the year in the
way OF favorable legislation. The Foran bin,
designed to prevent the importation OF foreign
effect
COMMITTEES APPOINTED TODAY.
When the Federation convened this morning
| the new president, MIR. NJ. ID. Connolly occupied
the chair. The following committees were APP
pointed: On resolutions, VIM. Graydon, Jr., ii.
Enrich j: F. Mahoney, z. Z. McAulifie, n. j.
Hammond. On finance, Ii. Enrich, j. :.
kirchner, Geo. J. King, W. II. Foster, j. w.
pugsiey. On legislative committees. Thos: :.
Green, Ernest Bauer.
STRIKES AND LocKoUTs.
The consideration of business from the last
meeting was then taken up, and the first rcso-
luton was that which constitutes the legisla-
i've committee OF the Federation the legal
thority TO approve and manage all strikes and
lockouts and cooperate with the local organi-
Zation in such an event and TO levy assess
ments upon the different organizations under
the jurisdiction Of the Federation. not to exceed
| two cents weekly upon the members. The ben
eflt paid to members on strikes not To exceed S3
per week. This resolution was held over to
ascertain the views OF the different organiza-
tionS, and was 10 become n law il approved by
two-third vote OF the actual membership OF
the federation. The roll was therefore called
and the delegates were asked what action their
organizations bad taken The response showed
that eight OF the organizations represented had
voted In favor OF the strike benefit, one not in
favor, and three had taken no action;
Mr.. +. w. Oyster, from The Federation OF
Labor in this city, said that the Federation had
referred the matter to the different trades. hut
had received no report from them. Most OF the
trades Of this city belonged 10 the Knights of
Labor and paid 10 that organization a strike
benefit; The Federati,n had taken no action:
and Joiners' union, said that body had voted
in favor of this law.
There was some question raised as Ia whether
the congress ought adopt the strike benefit as
the Endorsement by the organizations did not
seem TO be general enough.
Upon motion OF Ar. Enrich the time for vot-
ing upon this law was extended TO March I,
1856, and the organizations which have not
reported their action will be called upon 10y t,.e
secretary, aud if the necessary vote l. obtained
the law will go into effect on aud after March
LIST.
THE PRIZE ESSAYS.
The committee to whom the five prize essays
had been referred on "trade unions and Strikes"
reported in favor of giving two prizes of S25
each instead of one prize OF 500. one TO he
awarded to Mr.. Gabriel Edmonston, OF this
city, and the other to MIR. q. w. Gackie, OF
milwaukee,. Objection was made 10 "A division
OF the prize into two prizes, and the authority
OF the committee TO take such action ,i;ies-
toned. Upon this ground the report was re
ferred back 10 the committee with INSTRUCTIONS
TO award prize as directed by the original re-
solution OF The New York congress. Mr.. T.. W.
Oyster, a member OF the committee. said that the
essays did not come mp TO the idea expressed ian
the congress when the prize WAS offered, as the
writers, while submitting well written essays,
went outside OF the subject prescribed. lie
named came nearer to tile expec.a,iors OF the
Federation than the Others, but he not in
favor OF going TO the expense Of printing them.
Some OF the members said that there Was no
obligation to give the prize and if the commit
| tee did not think that any one OF the essays
was worth $50, then no prize should be paid.
Mr.. Oyster said the committee Thought that the
best plan would be to distribute the prize.
DEAD HEAT.
Mr.. w. II. Foster said that it was a common
occurrence in the sporting world that when
dead heat occurred, the first money d.
| vided. A dead heat seems to have occurred in
this instance, and he saw no objection To di-
viding the money.
Mr.. Kirchner expressed the opinion that rs
the committee did not seem to be satif;ed with
the essays and as the Federation needed all the
money ii could get in carrying on its work. iie
thought that it would be no injustice To the
gentlemen contesting ii prize was not
awarded ut all. He offered a resolution To this
effect and, the roll being called, the resolution
was, on a tie vote, lost. Dir. Gompers then
the award of the essay for one year, and i'm the
meantime others could be invited to contribute
essays. This resolution was adopted.
FEMALES AND MINORS.
A member asked what action the legislative
committee had taken in regard to the BIZ, intro
duced into the House of Representative and
referred to at the last labor congre-S which
limited the time OF work OF females aud T'ii1rs
in textile industries. IL was stated Ihtt such a
bill had been introduced into tie HOUSE, biz; no
action had been taken.
Mr.. Graydon, of New York, offered resolu-
ton denouncing the New York Tribune for its
refusal to employ union men and to pay the
Just reward Of labor, and providinS fiat The
laboring classes withdraw their sup;sori from
that paper and those who patronize ii. This
resolution was adopted.
THE EIGHT-HOUR MOVEMENT.
Messrs. Enrich and Bauer. OF the Furniture
Workers union, offered resolution providing
that the eight-hour resolution go into effect on
May LIST next, provided in a resolution of the
last congress, and that the legislative connie
tee call upon the organizations throughout the
soTn and Se ney d haye re-
such a case ample notice should be given 10
manufacturers and other employers, and their
consent gained, ii possible and that no advance
in wages should be asked. Consideration of
this resolution was postponed until tomorrow
1t was decided that hereafter the congress
should meet each day from TO ID O'Clock and
from 2 to O'Clock. The congress then adj
journed until 2 O'Clock.
The Labor Press Association.
The Labor Press association met at the Crafts
man office yesterday afternoon, and elected
Mr. NJ. ID. Connolly, Of the Cincinnati Unionfst
president, and Mr.. H. v. Bisbee, OF the Wash
ingtOn Craftsman, secretary. After an inter
change OF views, 1t was decided to prepare a
circular addressed to labor papers throughout
the Union inviting them to unite with the aSso-
citation TO form a league, and effect a more
thorough system for obtaining and disseminate
ing news. The subject of swindling advertisers
was also discussed, and q resolution was adopted
calculated to guard against fraud.
The Oklahoma Boomers.
CAPT. COUCH, THE LEADER, WRITES A LETTER
TO SECRETARY LAMAR.
Capt Couch, who, it was reported some time
ago. was leading q company OF settlers into Ok.