Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-01

The labor problem is still an active issue be-
fore Secretary Foster, who is giving to it large
part of his valuable time. It still pends not
withstanding the declaration made by the rep.
resentatives Of the knights of Labor, through
a morning paper, that they had succeeded
in obtaining all that they have asked for.
They have not done so, and the controversy
has resolved itself into quarrel between the
two great labor bodies, the knights and the
Federation Of Labor, as to question of pre-
cedence in the appointment of men to the new
presses that are to be put into the annex at the
bureau Of engraving and printing. There
have been number OF conferences between
the representatives Of the labor organizations
and the Secretary, but just at present the
matter Is in what is called ''statu quo"
THE sECRErARYs PROPOSITION.
Messrs Devlin and Cavanaugh of the Knights
OF Labor called on the Secretary yesterday
afternoon and to them he made this PROPOSE
tion: That he should forget the past record of
tne seven men who have been dismissed from
the bureau, and not treat them as discharged
employees; that in that new and novel capacity
ne could guarantee their employment at the
bureau as plate printers within thirty days.
He even thought that there would be work for
them in fifteen days. This offer seemed to be
about the matter long time, when a new and
unexpected element introduced itself into the
controversy.
A delegation Of three men, headed by Mr..
Andrew Schofeld. representing the Federation
OF Labor called and had an audience as a re-
suit of which the Secretary temporarily with
drew his decision given to Messrs. Deylin and
Cavanaugh.
THE FEDERATION OF LABoR's PROTEST.
Ihe issue on which the question now turns Is
plain one. and its settlement cannot occur
for some days. The members of the fedora
ton represented to the Secretary that if he
puts the seven knights at work at once he will
be doing an injustice to the large number
OF men whose names are now borne on what is
known as the ''chance rolf of the bureau.
Inc custom is for applicants for presses to
ing and to be given substitute work and presses
in that routine. The federation claims that
the Secretary should not prejudice the rights
OF the men already on the chance roll by put
ting these seven men on presses without going
to the bottom Of the list.
This proposition struck the Secretary as be-
ing eminently fair and he accordingly decided
to postpone the final decision until he could
have an interview with Mr.. Gompers, the pres
ldent OF the federation. The Secretary said
this morning that the point which the dele
gates of the federation raised about the chance
roll was a new one and that it appealed at once
to his sense of justice.
DEvLIN AND cAvANAUaK AGAIN.
Messrs. Devlin and Cavanaugh called again
this morning to continue their conversation
which was interrupted, and, they expected. to
fix up the final details of the agreement They
were somewhat surprised when the Secre-
tary informed them of the new light
that had been thrown on the ques-
ton and Of his determination to withhold
final conclusion until after his talk with Mr..
Gompers. They argued for some minutes
and insisted upon the complete reinstatement
OF the seven men within the month or fifteen
days guaranteed by the Secretary. but he was
firm In his decision, and they left after twenty
minutes of useless discussion.
The Secretary said to a STAR reporter that
in his opinion the mattec had evolved itself
into a controversy between the organizations,
and that there was nothing left for him to do
at present.
THE STAR INTERVIEW.
1t has developed that The STAR was slightly
in error in stating the Secretary made certain
propositions to Mr.. Cavanaugh yesterday morn
ing. 1t seems that the interview between
them did not last more than two minutes and
was devoted to an arrangement for
another interview later in the day.
which took place. The STAR reporter
understood from the Secretary that these
propositions were made yesterday, whereas
the same propositions, or nearly the same were
made to Mr.. Cavanaugh in Ohio some weeks
ago. The error was merely one Of the date and
geography Of the case.
The Secretary this morning affirmed the cor
rectness Of the interview which The STAR re-
porter had with him and which was printed
in last evenings STAR.