The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-11-27
FOR ORGANIZED LABOR.
Open Meeting Of Federation
Last Night.

Commonwealth avenue, n small but
decidedly enthusiastic audience faced
President William Henderson when he
called to order the first public meeting
of the Roanoke Federation Of Labor
Mr.. Henderson stated the objects OF
the meeting and announced the officers
as follows: President. William Hen
dcrson: secretary, j. w. Elliott: vice
presidents. j. NJ. Carpcr, Typographical
Union; Is. +. Burlington, Tailors
Union; Thomas Charlton Iron holders
Union: w. j. Cummings, brotherhood
of Painters; =. J. Wright. Iron and
Steam Workers Union, and NJ. Dris-
coll, Boiler-makcrs' Union.
Mr.. Henderson said that the object of
the Federation was the upbuilding of
weak trades and tho forming of the
workers of them into unions for self
protection.
lie said the Federation was organized
less than two years ago, and was now
growing at Il most pleasing rate. All
the unions now organized were mem
hers of the Federation, and the trades
not yet formed into unions were the sub
jcctS OF much missionary work, and he
looked for all the trades to come within
tho fold in short time.
lie wished it understood that the
organization was not to fight contrac-
tors. employers or capital. but for self
protection. 1t believed i'll the cstab-
lishmcnt of an apprenticeship system III
order to do away with the incapable
woman. He intimatcd that working
mon would soon take advantage of tho
remedy they possessed ut the polls.
Workingmcn were also beginning to
urge that it MAS just for them to ask for
division of the profits of their toll.
Mr.. j. ;. Curry, vicc-prcsident of the
Carpenters Union. was then called upon
and made an eloquent and Instructive
address. in which he explained the ne
cossity of looking after legislation. lie
said that capital always received the
legislation it asked for. while labor had
to 20 without.
Strikes were always, in his opinion,
based upon some real wrong, though he
would have the world to know that
labor was not organized for strike pur-
poses. nor did it Cypress capital when it
had the power. Labor must organize
for sclf-protcctiOn- as capital had done.
Political action was advised. and even
the city government should, in his opin-
ion. be controlled by labor.
j. L. Joyce. of the Iron holders
Union, culogizcd the Federation and
trade unionism. and hoped for good re-
suits from these open meetings. and
evolved the axiom that friction of
ideas was bound to make light" lie
dwclt also upon the political force which
wOrkingmen possessed, and cited in that
connection laws which mechanics needed
To have placed upon the statute books
of the State, notablya State apprentice
law and the abolition of the contract
convict labor system.
Other speeches were made by y. II.
Michael. Jr., II. II. Bcvicr. DR.. Childress
and NJ. Driscoll
The meeting closed with vote of
thanks to the city papers for their fair
ness and courtesy i'll dealing with labor.
after several gentlemen had ted that
they should be taken by workmcn gen
orally, both as an encouragement to Il
continuance of their Justice and fair
dealing. and also as Il partial cOmpcnSa-
ton for the good they do the cause OF
labor.
The Rnndolph street Overhead Fridge
The Norfolk and Western Railroad
Company. which has the contracts for
building the three projected overhead
bridges for the city, has begun work or
the Randolph street bridge.
Sand and other material for the
masonry is being placed on the ground.
and corps of engineers is engaged in
locating the bridge.
Koch's Cure to bc Cheap.
l,rrIIN Nov Of -ISn,ci.ll pror