The Washington times., 1894-12-09
Federation of Labor.

The last regular meeting Of the Federation
was attended by representatives from twenty
eight local organizations President Spohn
presided, and all officers reported present
The first business Of the evening was the
report Of the contract committee on the Port
ner flats. which WGs to the effect that the com
mittee found the majority Of the men at work
there union men. The committee had inter-
viewed the foreman of the work. who had
stated that his instructions were that only
union labor was to be employed which in
structions would be strictly carried out.
The committee had also waited on Mr..
William Hahn, the shoe merchant on Seventh
street relative to the Timing on his new
store Mr.. Hahn informed the committee
that he was and always had been in favor of
organized labor. and had always given his
work TO union men. If any non-uniOn men
were at work on his new store il was posi-
lively against his orders, and also against the
stipulations in the contract. The committee
were assured that the matter would be i'm
mediately investigated, which the committee
stated had been done, and the job made all
straight
President spohn then announced that the
following delegates would constitute the com
mittee on contracts for the month ofDecern-
Der: 5. A. Clements, j. A Deggs. George o.
Cook. James Lanahan, and John J. Dasen-
brock. The special committee on Weitzeu
the horseshOer, reported that the efforts to
effect satisfactory adjustment of this case
having proved a failure, they were com
PEELED to recommend that the request Of the
horseshoers. "that Mr.. Weitzell be placed on
the unfair list" be complied with. which
recommendation was concurred in by the
Federation.
The committee on violations of the national
eight-hour law reported that they had made
thorough investigation as 10 the number of
hours the contractor of street V~aC
working his employees. The committee had
found the men very reluctant in furnishing
information after learning for what purpose
the committee desired it. The committee
stated that some Of the men whose names
they had secured and who had furnished
them with valuable information, after learn
ing the object ofthe committee, begged them
not to divulge their names or call on them rs
witnesses. as they would lose their Jobs and
be deprived OF the pitiable sums they received
for their services. The committee further re-
ported that no attention was paid to the law
whatever by the contractor, which open Yio-
lation caused them to inquire further into
the case, as it is thought that the street
sweeping contract must have been given out
previous 10 the enactment of the law. The
District records will be examined before final
report is made.
A letter was read from Mr.. A Herman. the
clOthier. requesting information as to why
letter was referred to the carpenters and
and painters organizations.
Letter from the Eccentric Engineers re-
questing that a committee be appointed to
wait on Mr.. Beriah wilkins. of the Washing
ton Post, for the purpose Of aseertaining why
the promise given to the engineers. that
union man would be employed as assistant
engineer in the Post building" had not been
complied with was received and committee
appointed.
A long communication from a would-be
benefactor TO working people, stating that
the writer was in possession of q preparation
which he desired the members Of the organi-
cations to share, the benefits Of which would
be the means Of saving thousands of dollars
IL the proposition was accepted by the Feder-
alton the writer agreed to bind himself to
employ only union men and women and that
their hours OF labor would be six per day.
The communication was referred to a COM
mittee for investigation.
Request was received that the names Of the
officers Of the Federation be furnished to the
Civic Center Association. The request was,
on motion, granted. and the secretary in
structed TO forward the names TO that organ
ization.
Delegates from the plasterers and carpen-
ters inquired as TO the status of the labor on
the new building of the Stumph Bros. The
delegates stated that they understood when
this work was commenced that il was to be
done by union men, but from present appear
snces union colors seem 10 be flying at half
mast. The matter was referred to the con-
tract committee, who promised to investigate
during the week.
The carpenters requested that Nicolai. the
oil man, be placed on the unfair list, which
request was unanimously granted
The delegates from the Musical Assembly
stated that report had been circulated that
the orchestra at Kernans was to connect
themselves with organized labor Of this city.
in accordance with some alleged agreement 4
said to have been made with some outside
organization. The delegates desired it TO be
known that just the reverse was the fact.
Instead of becoming members Of the existing
union, members of the orchestra had, during
the past week, been endeavoring 10 disrupt
Musical Assembly by waiting on the leaders
Of bands and offering them inducements to
withdraw from the assembly.
From a report made some time ago there
ceemed to be disposition to put President