The Washington times., 1894-12-24

preliminary meeting of representatives
from the several labor organizations OF this
city was held yesterday afternoon at Typo
graphical Temple to make preparations for
the reception Of John Burns, the English
labor leader, now making addresses in the
West. Among those present were George A.
Tracy. of the Columbia Typographical Union;
James A. Power, of the International Typo
graphical Union; John Magee. of the Car
penters' Union; G. o. Cook, of the Bricklay
ers' Union; ". T. Hogg, OF the Building
Trades Council; A. Murray and W. S.
Spencer. of the Aualgamated Society OF
Carpenters. and T. f. Hall, of AS
sembly 2672. knights of Labor. There were
no formally appointed representatives
Mr. Tracy called the meeting TO order and
stated its object, but added that there seemed
TO be some misunderstanding as 10 Mr.
Burns movements. The dates set at the
Denver meeting for him to be here and
speak are December 29 and 30, but re ent
letters 10 Mr.. Burns, with reference to ar
rangements for his reception, had not been
answered. The cause for the delay he could
not explain He did not see that any def
mite action could be taken till some word was
received rom Mr.. Burns or MIR. Gompers. OF
the American Federation OF Labor, who Is
travelling with Alr. Burns.
Mir. Power set ali doubt at rest as 10 Mr..
Burns coming. He said the explicit state
ment Of the pIess dispatches that Mr. Burns
would be here December 29 and 80 was sup
plemented by letter he had received from
Mr.. Gompers. some days ago, in reply 10
question whether Mr.. Burns would come.
MIR. Gompers said positively that
MR. BURNS WOULD SPEAK HERE.
In further discussion it was suggested that
the reason for Mr. Burns failure to answer
recent communications might be that in &C.
ing from point 10 point his mail had failed
to reach him
The question was then asked what was the
latest date upon which successful meeting
for Saturday or Sunday might be advertised.
and it was answered that 'rel letter notice
in THE Times day or two before would do
the business all right. II was agreed that Mr.
Tracy should send a telegram 10 Mr.. Burns AT
Cincinnati last night and as soon as reply is
received announce a meeting TO maSS final
arrangements Tor Mr.. Burns coming. This
meeting. it was thought, will probably be
called for Wednesday evening at the Typo
graphical Temple.
Two very important meetings OF the Pro-
urday night at the temple. The first began
al 7:30 D. m. and the second ar midnight
Mr.. James a. Power, organizer for the union,
presided at 10th. A constitution and bylaws
were adopted. aud over hundred new mem
bers were initiateI. The constitution pro-
vides for both sick and death benefits. The
sick benefit is 81 a week during illness. and
the
DEATH BENEFIT IS 500.
Representatives we're present from every car
line in the city, and number Of enthusiastic
speeches were made. committee has in
yes,igated the reports that a number of men
had been discharged because they had joined
the union and found that with one exception
the disclaimers Of the managers that the dis
charges were for that reason wei founded
il WAS discovered in some cases that the men
had been dismissed for serious breaches of
reasonable and proper regulations. In the
one case where the evidence does not sustain
the claim that the discharge was for any rea-
son other than that the man had joined the
union reinstatement will be insisted upon
and. it is believed. secured. The sentiment
o! street railway men in and out OF the union
is, il was asserted in favor Of standing by
and projecting any man discharged for join
ing the organization.
The union has received promises OF S5.0 900
20 aid them in periectiEg an organization
that viii secure shorter hours of labor for
street car employees and bring about better
conditions generally. 1t was made clear
that organized labor generally is in sympa-
thy with the movement and will give active
support If at any time any dismissais are
attributable to connection with the organiza-
tiOn, the road at fault will be made to feel
the effects OF the opposition OF united labor.
II was stated that members Of The Railway
Union feel grateful to TIE TTzIEs for eii-
torals and other articles IN defense of the
rfpisf q pyraniza and rf0fPct thpnSRlVQ1
and they viii not forget the assistance given
fll.-n