The morning call., 1891-02-09
ORGANIZED LABOR.
4 Demand That Union Men Have Pref
efelee on Worlds Fair Work.

CHICAGO, Feb. S.-The organized labor Of
Chicago notly asserted itself to-day regard
ing the Worlds Fair. 1t was at the regular
meeting of the Trade and Labor Assembly.
body said to represent 1000 workingmen
and one of whose members was given seat
in the Worlds Fair Directory in recognition
of 100000 subscribed by workingmen to
guarantee the fund of the fair. Intense in
terest was manifested in the subject, as there
had been much discussion beforehand in
meetings of individual unions. The excite
ment began when James O'COnnen. PreSl-
dent of the assembly offered resolutions de-
claring that when it was first proposed to
hold a Worlds Columbian Exposition in
Chicago, organized labor was appealed to
by the promoters of that institution to assist
them IN securing the needed legislation
In favor of Chicago; that the mem
bers of the various trade unions and
labor organizations of Chicago subscribed
liberally TO the stock; that implied induce
ments were held out by the promoters TO
the working people of Chicago that in all
work done on the buildings union labor
should be recognized and have the prefer
ence over scab labor, and that the present
Worlds Fair Directory indicate a refusal to
recognize the union labor, but threaten TO
employ indscrlminateiy non-union labor.
thereby flooding the labor market of Chi
cago with the ultimate design of destroying
trade unions. Following are the resolutions:
Resolved, That we, as union mcD, protest
against this treachefous action OF the Worlds
FAlr Di ectOrs, ana unless immediate action Is
taken by that body 10 redeem ihelr implied
pledges, given In regard to union labor, that We
shall deem II our duty 10 oppose IN every way
any further legislation, either municipal. Stale
or DaiiouRl, ID favor OF said exposition; ana we
hereby recommend all w0rkingmen who sub
sctibed for stock 10 decline 10 Uay any further
assessments until proper assuia ances are gwen
that the implied pledges Will be kept; and be 1t
further
RESOLVED, That unless satisfactory assurances
are given by The DIRECTORS That their indicated
action VIII be changed, we shall deem Ii our duty
TO ask The cooperation of organized labor
throughout the country TO assist us In making
our protest emphatic.
In an instant a dozen men were on the
floor and peppery speeches, containing
some pointed personalities, followed.
OCOnnell said: I'VE will make the direc.
tory put regiment of soldiers around the
ground If they employ scab labor. The day
has passed when organized labor can be ig-
nored in the great public enterprises of this
kind"
The resolution was carried without oppo.
sitlon. A committee was appointed CO work
In conjunction with committees appointed
By the Central Labor Union and Carpent-
ers' Council, and these committees, II is un-
derstood, will wait on the Mayor and ask
him to issue manifesto showing the num-
ber nnd condition of the laboring men of
Chicago. They will also 20 before the
Worlds Fair Directory with the above reso-
luton and ask further that eight hours shall
constitute a days work in the construction
OF the Worlds Fair buildings.