The Washington times., 1895-04-14
FEDERATION OF LABOR.

The Federation OF Labor met in regular
session last Tuesday evening. President
JamesF. McHugh, whohad dbeenabsentfrom
the city for several weeks, was promptly on
hand and received a hearty welcome at the
hands OF the delegates.
The attendance OF delega tes was Verylarge,
a was also the attendance of eX-delegates
and visitors. somuch so that Notwithstanding
wascalled to orderthere wasnot an available
seat in the hail and barely standing room.
After the regular routine business had
been dispensed with. the first business ofthe
evening was on the reception OF delegates.
The first considered was from the Marine
Engineers Beneficial Association, in favor OF
c. w Robinson in place OF Georg e
Midomansli, which was accepted and the
delegate seated.
Credentials were then read from two re-
Gently organized loca Is. The Douglass
Progressive Assembly OF Engineers and the
Uriah s. Stephens Assembly OF Cement
Workers. Afterthe proper investigation
been made by the committee, the organiZa-
tions were admitted to representation. The
cement workers We're represented by s II.
Watson, H j McKenna, c. F. Hilton.
P p Kroff and ID Sheehan: the engineers
by A II. Ransom, s. ]. Fouman. w. H.
Young, j. B. Ruffin aud Lincoln Bowie.
The delegates were then introduced and
the obligation administered
With the admittance Of the new organ
ization OF engineers, three distinct orders
of that craft, OF profession (as they have
been designated by the Attorney GeneraD,
are now represented in the Federation
But this is not a precedent fer one craft to
be represented in the Federation 10y more
than one organization The carpenters
have also three distinct organizations in
the Federation and still another one about
to make application. The bakers are rep
resented by two organizations, as also
are the tailors The best of harmony eX-
lists, the respective organizations OF the one
craft working together for mutual protec-
tion.
Thecontra CT tcommitte reported interview
with one Of the firm of Auth Bros, which
was 10 the effect that the committee had
been informed that a clause had been in
serted ia the Specifications providing for
the employment of strictly union labor on
their new building on Virginia avenue and
Seventh street southwest. The committee
had also been informed that ii was the
Intention. both OF the firm and the con-
tractor, that the clause should be strictly
carried out
A special committee had waited on Mr.
wilkins OF the Post TO request that he
carry out his promise to employ union en-
gineers in the Post building. Mr. Wilkins
had told the committee that his engineers
had n license from the District authorities
TO run an engine and that he, Mr. wilkins.
had acted ia good faith with organized
labor when he had requested the engineer
70 Join the organization. That the En-
gineers' Union had rejected him, was
through no fault OF his. The committee
stated that ii had no recommendation 10
make, but referred the matter back 10 the
Federation, with the statement OF facts.
Mr. wilkins had further stated that if
organized labor was not satisfied with the
explanation, that he would employ an
other engineer After some discussion the
secretary was instructed TO inform Mr.
wilkins thatit was the wishes ofthe Fedora
tion that he employ union engineer
The president then called on each build
ing trade TO suggest some name for appoint
ment Cd the contract committee. The fol-
lowing names were then submitted and re-
ceived the appointments: James Totten,
from the Plasterers; Andrew Murray, from
the Carpenters; William BresDahan, from
the Brcklayers; Conrad Barrow, from the
6tonemasons, and Thomas A. Hughes, from
the Cornice Workers.
Carpenters Union, No. l. delegates called
the attention OF the Federation TO the incon-
Venience that workmen are put TO through
the orders OF Col. Wilson, superintendent OF
public grounds. 10 keep the gates OF the
White Lot closed when workmen are going
60 work in the morning, also when they are
returning home at night
Several members stated that, it would,
I'm their opinion, be but a waste OF time TO
appeal to Col. Wilson TO resciDd his order.
ms he had refused the request on several
previous occasions. During the discussion
20 was stated that the gates were thrown
open for the accommodation of the depart
mental clerks. which was after and before
the time that the average workman went
and returned from work The opinions fur
ther expressed were that mechanics who
were compelled to go TO work earlier and
work later than the privileged government
clerk were just as much entitled TO be
allowed TO pass through the Presidents
back yard as any others. Ten minutes time
IN the morning gained in going TO work. was
very valuable to tomechaDics, especially when
little ate, which, in many instances, has
been the cause OF losing half days work,
and in some instances OF losing a Job.
IL was the general opinion that another
attempt should be made TO have the gates
opened. and the secretary was instructed
TO communicate with Col. Wilson and re-
quest that this be done.
At the request Of the Electrical Workers
a committee was appointed to wait on the
proprietor of tie Boston Variety Store and
request that the electric work in the new
store be done by union men.
IN connection with this, il was stated
that The contract on the improvements of
the Boston Variety Store stipulated that
the contractor should employ union men,