Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-21
A LABOR MASS MEETING,
Carpenters Discuss the Question of Organ
xation-Several strong Speeches.

Carpenters Discuss the Question of Organi-
zation-several strong Speeches.
The local assemblies and trades unions were
well represented last night at mass meeting
held at Concordi. Hall under the auspices of
Local Assembly 174S. Master Workman P. l..
OBrien Of that assembly presided. In OPEN
ing the meeting he said that the question Of
organization among the carpenters WAS one
that had been discussed many times and II was
necessary to further discuss the matter on ac-
count of the condition of affairs After speak
ing of the benefits derived from such an organi-
cation he introduced to tho large audience of
ladies and gentlemen the Hon. A. ". Wright. q
member Of the general executive board of the
Knights of Labor and editor of the Journal Of
United Labor.
Not being familiar with the local affairs nm
der discussion the speaker said he would speak
more particularly abOut labor organization.
The work he said. il divided into different Or
CARNATIONS. but there IL no reason why they
should not all pull together. as they were work.
ing for the same end They should engage in
a fight against the common enemy and not
against one another. Farmers and all sorts of
producers have learned lesson from our Or
CARNATIONS and today they are receiving the
benefits Of their lesson. Some writer's have
said that il was only competition between labor
true, which ii il not. the sooner the conflict
comes the better but let that conflict be q
peaceable one.
OPEN ORGANIZATIONS FAVORED.
IL have always favored open organizations"
he said, land recognize the infinite danger to
property growing out Of secret ones, but IL
capital renders open organization an i'm
possibility then will do all 1 can to make
secret organization a success and take the
chances. Secret organization, however. often
results In bloodshed and destruction of property
and of such the Molly Maguires furnish \
sample. As you make yonr bed there You
must lie. Lsboring men must organize and
engage in the conflict with will. but unless
they work together they will always get the
worst of the conflict"
The speaker asked, "Does organization pay?"
and answered it by telling Of the New York
brewers, who were working for ~ week be-
fore organization and who now. as the result OF
organization. get twice that amount.
The speaker then gave number OF illustra-
tions, among them one in which the hodcarriers
had forced bricklayers into the union.
A hOdcarrier. he said, would neglect a non
union man and when the latter called for brick
the hodcarrier would seem surprised and ask:
Are you bricklayer!"
When he received an affirmative reply he
would call for the card and would then say:
mo card, no mud"
Speaking Of the matter of solving the labor
problem the speaker said it could not be done
through any reform movements, temperance,
&C., nor can it be solved by taking sides in
politics and marching in torchlight professions
or discussing the question through the bottom
of a beer glass with ward politician.
But" he concluded, You must organize
and work together against the common
enemy"
ME-. PAUL T. BOWEN.
Mr.. Paul T. Bowen was the next speaker. and
his appearance on the platform was a signal for
applause. In an able manner he gave his
views on the question under discussion There
are, he said, 1900 carpenters in the city and
they get just what competition gives them.
There are more men than there Is work for
them. Fifteen years ago the men were not
organized and they were receiving 81 per day
for ten hours work, and the low wages did not
increase the work. Under organization the
carpenters now work but nine hours and re-
ceive 80 per day.
How does tho organization benefit your"
asked the speaker. "A sick man gets II per
week, 800 in case Of death is paid for funeral
expenses or if members wife dies $50 is paid
him. The annual dues are $40, and the re-
suit OF the organization il an hour less every
day and 200 more money in year" He also
spoke Of the increase in other branches of
work, and concluded by predicting that Wash
ington will some day have one million inhab-
itants and urging every working man to pur.
chase lot for himself, whether II be inside the
city limits or in a suburban village,
The last speaker was NJ. T. Burke, member
Of the Pennsylvania legislature and secretary
of D.A Is, T. v Powderly's district, who told
Of the work in the Anthracite coal regions and
of the good work that had been done by the
women who had also organized.