The Washington times., 1894-09-16

the tower of tho Church of the Covenant,
Ford's Theater, Metzerotts Theater and re-
| cent partial collapse of the old Palais Royal
Building came in for a share OF criticism.
Resolutions without number have been
| adopted, committees have been appointed,
who have waited on the Commissioners urg-
ing the necessity OF not only increasing the
number of inspectors, bat of appointing
more practical men, but all efforts have been
in vain. The last request made by the Fede-
ration was that at least one brlcklayer, IL not
more, should be appointed on the force; but
the building inspector does not consider the
appointment of bricklayer necessary to in
| spect brickwork buildings. From selections
made, q carpenter is considered more suit
| able.
AT the Federation last Tuesday night 1t was
| the opinion of the delegates that the ''halo
of luck" that has surrounded the building
7 inspectors office, when accidents have oc-
Cured and allowed loop-holes of escape, can
not last always. The conclusion arrived at
by the Federation is that the only hope lies
with Congress, and bill will be drafted and
ready for presentation by the time Congress
conYenes here in December.
DISTRICT ASSEMBLY.
Every local assembly in this jurisdiction
was represented at the District meeting last
Thursday night. The first business was tho
reception of the credentials of L. A. 2371,
which were duly examined and accepted.
The case of the President Of the Washing
ton and Georgetown Railroad Company which
had been laid over from the last meeting, for
the purpose of awaiting the action Of the
directors of that company, was next in order.
The delegates reported that owing to the
| absence OF several of the directors of the
railroad company no meeting had been held.
Oilers from prominent attorneys to prosecute
the case were read to the assembly. Alter
some discussion it was decided not TO mako
public for the present the plan OF procedure.
In the meantime the offers from the attorneys
Were referred to a committee.
During the discussion the action OF Presi-
dent Dunlop in compelling the gripmen and
conductors last winter TO purchase from the
company the sixteen dollar overcoats, which,
though pretty to look at, were Of no earthly
use as q protection against the weather, was
commented on. Mr.. Dunlop's reply, when in
formed that the men were dissatisfied, as
quoted In newspaper at the time was as
follows: "If the men don't like 1t, let them
quit. The company can get plenty more to
fill their places. There are 400 applicants for
every place as it is. This thing OF grumbling
to outsiders is rank insubordination, and If 1
get the names of any OF the lien II discharge
them. The discipline of this road is not going
to be infringed while l am here"
Delegates from the Painters reported that a
COulIdtlOE uOilk WOTh dI TIC navy YdTu was
employing men at half rate wages, and COM
pelling them TO violate the eight-hour law.
The matter was referred to the special COM
mittee on eight-hour violations. with instruc-
tions TO act with the Federation committee.
Delegates from Excelsior Assembly reported
six new applicants for membership since last
meeting, five OF them from the medical pro-
fession and the other a stenographer.
special committee was appointed to act IN
conjunction with the Federation committee
ITO wait on the District Commissioners and re-
quest that the regulation prohibiting barber
shops from being open on Sundays be strictly
enforced. especially in the hotels.
The timers delegates reported that their
last meeting was full of enthusiasm, and that
the assembly is in good condition, with money
in the treasury and no debts.
A letter was read from the United States In
migration investigating commission, request
ing information which, in the opinion of the
District Assembly, is very important. The
letter was referred to the legislative commit
tee, with instructions to furnish answers TO
the following questions:
l. What changes, if any, in the rules and reg
ulations now in force are necessary in order TO
secure a more efficient execution of existing
laws relating TO immigration and the laws pro-
htbiting the importation of alien laborers
under contract
= Whether said laws are defective in any par
ticular, and what practical difficulties if any,
nave bttl encountered III lllclT execution.
g. What effect, if any, immigration has upon
the wages of labor or opportunities for employ
ment in the United States, and whether or not
the existing industrial condition of the country
is attributable in any degree 10 the influx of la
borers from abroad
(. Whether any measures, and, If so, what
can be adopted under existing legislation TO dis
courage the concentration of immigrant labor
ia particular localities, and to secure a bet
ter distribution of immigrants, whose admission
to the country is not prohibited by law.
D Whether the ''DaGTOle' system exists IN this
country, and, If so, 10 what extent and among
what classes Of immigrants, and what measures
can be taken under existing laws TO break it up
and protect American laborers against its evil
effects upon wages, and at tho same time i'm
prove the social and economic condition of the
immigrants
The commission also desire to be informed
of the rate of wages paid here for the past
ten years: also. for comparison, the rates
that have been paid during same period,
offered 10, or accepted by competing alien
laborers
As this is a subject that has been under dis
cussiOn for years in the District Assembly the
information can be readily given.
The delegates from the Eccentric Engi-
neers reported that on Labor Day several
members in arrears to their organization had
paid up, and by the time the parade had
reached Georgetown 81 more than had been
expended on their display had been collected
from delinquents.
Inc ueieg0teS TO the LABOR DAY conference
reported that at the last meeting Of the con-
ference all matters connected with the parade
had been settled and still small surplus re-
mained in the treasury. The question of hay-
ing a permanent organization had been re-
ferred to the locals with instructions to report
at the next meeting. Vote of thanks had been
extended to The TINES for full and correct
reports Of the proceedings, also to Lieut.
Kelly and Chief Marshal Hobbs. The next
meeting will be held on the third Friday in
October.
The district organizer reported that he had
been notified by the general secretary that his
commission had expired. On motion Delegate
O'Dea was unanimously recommended to the
general office as organizer for this district.
Under good of the order the master work
man stated that under this head any ex-dele-
gate could take part in the discussion. The
question of removal of the orders headquar-
tiers to Washington was discussed and it
seemed to be the general opinion that Wash
ington was the proper place 1t also seemed
10 be the opinion that If the Knights of Labor
had to move here that the other national
and international labor bodies would quickly
follow The matter of formulating measures
and pushing legislation for the past few
years has been done chiefly by the local labor
representative bodies, which should and would
be done by the national labor bodies if they
were located in Washington The expense of
this work has been terrible strain on the
local bodies and it was the opinion as ex-
pressed on Thursday night that this expense
should be shared equally, and this can best
be accomplished by establishing headquarters
here. The delegate to the general assembly
will llah hn inc foI To o,,I