Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-24
THE PRINTERS WORKING DAY.
The Eisht-hOur Question Discussed at
Special Meeting.

Differences of opinion as to the construction
OF the eight-hour law brought together yester-
day afternoon large number of the members
of Columbia typographical union, No. lOl 1t
was a special meeting and was held at St.
Joseph's hall. Those who were responsible for
the CALI were of the opinion that the eight
hour law forbade a government employe from
laboring for any greater period daily than
eight hours, but a great many of those who at
tended yesterday believed that the laws OBJ
ject was simply to fix the number of hours for
which employees should get a days pay, with
overtime extra.
THE RESOLUTIONS.
The meeting was called to order by President
Ramsey and, after the call had been read. the
following resolutions were offered setting
forth that AS Columbia typographical union,
No. l0l. is now, as il has always been thor
oughly and firmly committed to the eight-hour
principle;' las the public printer has shown
himself to be in full sympathy with the aims and
aspirations of organized labor and has eyinced
a disposition to avoid overtime work as much
as possible, working the forces under his
charge only when the exigencies of the public
service imperatively demanded such overtime
work. in accordance with a precedent uninter-
rupted for twenty-five years." las the eight
hour law now upon the statute book lacks sew
eral essential and vitalizing features-namely:
an explanatory clause, a clause covering con-
tract work OF the government. and the clause
describing stringent penalties for violation of
the law and las the bill amending the law
and remedying these defects is now pending
in the labor committee of the House of Repre-
sentives;" Columbia typographical union. No
I0l. heartily indorses the Wade eight-hour bill
and calls upon its members to direct their in
dividual efforts to the end that the bill may
be enacted into law.
The resolution was reported and a vote being
demanded it WAS taken. The resolution was
then adopted, and there being no other bust
ness before the meeting an adjournment was
had.
NOT SATISFIED WITH THE ACTION.
Then there were murmurs OF discomfort, and
in little while the murmurs gathered force
and aggregated themselves into howl of pro-
test against what was by some denominated
the arbitrary conduct of President Ramsey
An lud gnation meeting was organized with
Vice President Payne in the chair, and speeches
were made IN which the presidents action in SO
speedily adjourning the meeting of the union
was condemned in a very vigorous manner
After good deal of noisy debate it was finally
stated as the voice of the second meeting that
no more than eight hours work daily be given
any one man in the government office.
Next Sunday another meeting will be held
and then the whole subject will come up again
and be voted upon. Several members declare
that the present condition Of affairs in the gov
eminent Office cannot be changed by any ac-
ton next Sunday, for the reason that the for
bidding OF overtime work is nothing less than
an amendment of the unions scale of prices
which fixes rates for overtime. To amend the
scale of prices there would first have to be one
months notice of intention to submit such
amendment. No notice has yet been given.
Conversation will be more general at next
Sundays meeting, for the annual election will
be over. Gentlemen who believe they are on
the high road to Office did not do much talking
yesterday and they restained their friends very
considerably.