The Washington times., 1894-12-23
FEDERATION OF LABOR.


FEDERATION OF LABOR.
The representatives of labor unions were
out in fun force atslhe regular meeting ofthe
Federation Of Labor last Tuesday night. No
meeting having been held the previous week
the. was considerable business to be trans
acted which detained the delegates till late
hour of the night.
In the absence of the president the first
vice president. George O. Cook. called the
meeting TO order and presided over the de-
lberatlOns.
RolI-cail OF delegates showed that twenty
eight orEanizat. .ons were represented.
The first business Of the evening was onthe
acceptance OF the credentials from the Monu-
mental Bakers Assembly. The ereiential
committee having reported favorabiy the del
egates were admitted and duly obligated.
Special committee to wait oa NJ Beriah
Wilkins with reference TO the employment OF
union engineers al the Post building re-
ported thai Ng. Wilkins had received the
committee very pleasantly and had assured
them that the wishes OF the Federation would
be complied with. he always was in layor OF
Workingmcn receiving the highest wages for
their Ia or and that rule Was carried oIt In
his business.
The committee on the violations OF the eight
hour iay IerQr;ed that they had fully inyes;i-
gated tae charge that the contractor ol street
sweeping was violating the law. The con-
mittee had found tEat the men engaged on
the work cf sweeping TIE streets worked con-
siderasiy ever eight hours per day. but the
sweeping y the q leys was done strIc. ~ in &C
cord win tie law. The committee had fur
tber investigated and found that the alley
sWeeI iug was done by TIE District authorities.
but the sweeping OF the streets had been
given 10 the present contractor. to taEe
effect or July ], 1892. and that the contract
was for iye years. The contract having been
given out Just one month previous 10 the en-
actmeat OF tie eight-h0ur law, exempted the
contractor II ~ is provisions
The contract committee reported that the
SUmph Bros. had been seen relative 10 non
union carpenters working on their building.
The irI had expressed surprise when told
that no union carpenters were employed on
the work aud promised 10 look into the mat
ter.
Mr. James Lansburgh had also been seen,
who bad stated that the whole management
Of his work was in The hands OF his architect
ana he would advise the committee TO see
tnat gentleman.
The committee had also seen Mr.. Knox
with reference 10 their new building. Mr..
Knox had sta,ed that tine contract would be
given out in two or three days. As 10 insert
inE In the specifications that none but union
men be employed. he would have to consult
lis partner before giving an answer.
1ne committee on propaganda asked Tor
instruction as 10 how lar they should 80 in
inviting organizations 10 affiliate with tie
Federation. The sentiment Of the Fedora
tiOn was that organizations that had teen in
existence any length OF time were iUlly aware
OF the existence of the Federation OF Labor,
therefore the committee would be going out
OF its way TO invite them TO affiliate. But in
the case of newly formed organizations it
might be different. Under call OF trades del
egates from the plasterers reported that tie
Washington Brewery COMPANY was not COM
plying with the written statement that the
manager had made 10 the Federation relative
10 employing union men on their improve
n nts. the electric workers entered same
complaint. The matter, after some discus
sion. was referred to the contract committee
for investigation. Delegates 1Iom the paint
ers announced that movement was on foot
to relieve the distress Of one of their members
who had lost his eYesight. The delegates
also stated they proposed TO give a bail. the
proceeds to be devoted TO the benefit of their
unfortunate brother, the tickets were now
out and could be procured from members OF
tho Painter Assembly. Delegates from the
bakers reported that District Assembly had
placed Trushein, the baker, on the unfair list,
and they asked the endorsement of the Fed
GRAFTON. which request was granted. Bakers
also requested that a committee be appointed
TO investigate the case Of Stikes. the baker,
on New York avenue. Committee was ap-
pointed.
Delegates from the Musical Assembly again
complained against the unfair competition
they had to contend with In competing with
the military bands. A committee from the
assembly viii wait On the Secretary of War
and request that he interfere in the matter
They also requested tHat the Fourth Artillery
and the Sixth Cavalry bands be not patron
lied bv organized labor
Carpenters Union. No. !, requested that
the contract committee investigate the case o
the work that had been done for the govern.
ment al tie Union Building. where II is
claimed that the government was charged NJ
with fun rate OF wages and thai the men re-
ceiysd 81 a day less than that paid by The
government Request granted.
Al the request OF the Eccentric Engineers
the contract committee was instructed TO SET
Mr. Robert Portner and request that the
agreement made some years ago with the
organized labor OF this District be strictly
carried out.
At the request Of the Bricklayers Union the
legis alive committee was instructed 10 cal
on the subcommittee on appropriations FOL
the District and urge that the recommenda.
lions OF the Commissioners for an increase il
the force in the building inspectors Office 81
as 10 increase the corps OF assistant Inspector
be Erauted. Ia the case OF the complaint
made against some work on the Heurich new
brewery ry the cornice workers the secretar,
was instructed TO inform the company tha
the Federation had no complaint to make.
Delegates from the StPge Workers Alliance
stated that the work done against Albaugh'
fheater bv organized labor was having gooC
efec5. and the delegates were requested to re
double their efforts and victory would b
sure.
Communication was read from Columbia
Union requesting that committee be ap
pointed to act with that union in bringing
about some settlement between Kernan'
theater and the organizations. The reques
was granted and committee appointed. Sew
eral parties were reported as about 10 bull
or remodel their places of business, whlc
was placed in the hands of the contract com
mittee.
The Joint organization of the Bakers As
sembiv. Bakers and Confectioners' Interna
tioEai Union, ana the Bakers Drivers Assem
bly, presented the following:
''IO the officers and delegates of the Fedora
tion OF labor:
The undersigned organizations by join
resolution most respectfully request that you
legis alive committee prepare and present Il
the Senate aud House Of Representatives