The Washington times., 1894-11-18

ployes of the Printing Office. Referred to a
special committee for investigation.
Communication from citizen of George
town was read, reporting violation OF the
national eight-hour law by d contractor who
was engaged in grading streets in George
town. Tho latter also states that the original
contractor had sublet the work. to man
from South Carolina, who had brought a
gang OF laborers with him to work ten hours
day at starvation wages. Tho letter con-
Guides by asking the aid of the Federation IN
the matter, and further requesting the body
to act as quickly as possible The letter was
referred to the committee on violations of the
eight-hour law
The commission unanimously indorsed the
petition of the District flremen for an in
crease of 25 per cent. in their salaries.
While no action was taken, the general
sentiment of the delegates was one OF salts
faction with the report of the strike commits
sioners
The death of Building Inspector Entwisle
was brought before the Federation; also the
probability of his successor being named in
Few days. AS the trades connected with the
Federation are directly interested in the
building inspectors office, it was deemed
proper that a committee should be appointed
to suggest some one TO fill the vacancy. The
committee will report at next meeting.
The announcement was made that at the
next meeting Mr.. William Howard, OF this
city, would address the Federation on the 30
luton OF the labor problem. Mr.. Howard s
views on this question have been indorsed by
prominent clergymen OF this and other coun-
tries; also by the leading labor agitators. A
work written by Mr.. Howard on the same
subject was also indorsed by the United
States Senate and ordered to be published and
sent oct as public document.
Announcement OF the lecture of Mr.. Paul T.
Bowen for November %, at the Typographical
Temple, was also made.
DISTRICT ASSEMBLY.
While every local assembly in this jurisdic-
tion was represented and the attendance
larger than has been for some time, still the
session was the shortest one OF the year.
Worthy Foreman Michael Cuff presided
over the meeting and his rulings were prompt
and decisive.
Credentials of delegates from the Carriage
Makers Assembly were received and ac-
cepted.
Secretary Walport stated that the report OF
the strike commission was now ready for dis
tribl;ion, which could be had by applying TO
the Labor Bureau.
Under call OF assemblies the Plasterers
made complaint against man, supposed to
be member Of Typographical Union. WHO
was building a row of houses and emp. Dying
non-u union labor. The delegates were in
structed TO send communication TO Columbia
Union.
Tailors reported shops in this city working
under the sweating system. and they are now
investigating
Bakers drivers stated that their differences
with Mr.. Weinberg had not been settled, there
fore they would request that he be placed on
tha unfair list. Referred to the executive
! committee.
! Complaint was also made against the En-
| rich Beef Company. which was claimed 10 be
/ selling bread made by non-uaion bakers.
The attention OF the executive committee
was again called TO the case Of Mr.. Mueller,
the candy manufacturer, VINO was desirous to
! be taken off the unfair list.
! The committee on Mr. Heurich's work re-
! ported that he had called on Mr.. Henry GetZ.
| the contractor for the improvements on the
| Belvedere Hotel. and that Mr.. Getz had told
/ him that the specifications would be strictly
/ carried out and sub-contractors would have
o emp 10y union labor on the Job.
The committee on violations of the eight
| hour law, through their chairman. reported
! that they had investigated the alleged viola
! tion Of the Law at the pumping station. They
! had found that a new complication or evasion
! OF the law had been put In practice there. The
Watchmen had formerly been per diem en-
| ployes and worked eight-hour shifts. But a
| change had been made and the men put on
monthly salaries. one man discharged, and
| the other two having their hours OF work in
creased 10 twelve. The committee had seen
| the commissioner in charge and had been in
formed that Capt. Derby had issued the order
| for the change and As subordinates they had
| to obey The committee had also been in
formed that in the opiGion of the District Of
ficers the law was only intended for the pei
diem employees.
During the coming week the committee will
call on the Engineer Commissioner of the
| District. and get his views on the matter be-
fore making any recommendation to the as
sembly.
The case of a Mr. Oats. street contractor
| who was also reported 10 be violating :he
eight-hour law, was referred to the commit
tee.
The committee on the celebration Of the
| anniversary of the Knights OF Labor reported
that all arrangements had been made, and
will be made public by advertisements.
No news OF an official character was re-
ported from the General Assembly now in
session in New Orleans
At the meetDg of the Building Trades
Council last Tuesday night a committee wa;
| appointed to wait on Mrs George ". Childs
with reference to her new residence in thi:
city.
The amendment to the constitution provid
ing that the locals directly interested shall
pay the expenses of the arbitration committee
! when their services are required to settle dif-
ferences with employers. was again laid over
all the organizations not having reported.
The next meeting of the council will be helC
on Tuesday, the 9th instant
Carpenters Assembly. No. 174s, K of L., a
their last meeting Initiated two candidates
| The principal business of the evening was OF
the report of the committee appointed to re
wise the bylaws which were read and adopted
as whole and ordered TO be printed. Will
the exception of few changes in the insur
ance features very little changes have beel
made The principal additions are the amend
ments made during the past few years, bu
never yet printed.
The prospects for a union co-operativ
printing office in this city are very bright
The committee having the matter in charg
has had several meetings. proposition tha
has been made to the prospective company
and one that is thought will be favorably con
sidered is the tender of an entire printing
plant in full running order. and the terms OF
fered are considered very liberal.
-a -
Evolution and the Individual
The question is often asked, what is tn
attitude OF evolution toward the future of tn
individual. Scientists have been and still ar
divided into two parties. those holding TO tn
materialstic and those to the spiritual vier
OF ille. NOiuule dltoI NOluLno nave Iccchti
been issued to prove the endless evolution {
man, but philosophical speculatIons are nc
proofs.
Pure Darwinism has reference only to ou
physical bodies. Some evolutionists of ou
day, notably Alfred Russell Wallace, are fri
believers in the dual nature of man. The
argue that the laws OF natural selection
while accounting for our physical bodies
do not explain certain phenomena whic
must have a different origin. They say th
law of the survival of the fittest affects a