The Washington times., 1895-04-07
FEDERATIoN OFLABOR

The principal business before the FEEDER
alton Of Labor al its meeting last Tuesday
evening, was the report of the committee
on the E street school building investigation.
Vice-President George o. Cook, called
the meeting to order and the attendance OF
delegates and visitors was very large
So much surprise had been expressed at
the local meetings over the decision OF the
Commissioners in eXonerating the contract
or, after all the evidence that had been
produced and presented to the Federation,
that an explanation was anxiOusIy awaited
from the committee. The general senti-
ment of the delegates before the report was
made, was. if the verdict ofthe Commission
ers was substantially correct, that it would
be the duty OF the Federation to so publicly
acknowledge. The delegates were deter
mined that unless the committee could show
by its report that such was not the case, the
Federation should perform that duty.
When the committee was called upon TO
make its report, the greatest interest pre-
vailed, and the report was listened to with
marked attention. At its conclusion the
waFnest congratulations were extended the
committee for the able manner III which the
case had been presented.
The debate that followed was also very
complimentary. But one delegate raised
his voice against the adoption OF the report
ments cont aimed in the report were true and
that the specifications had not beencomplied
with, but not more so than on the average
cont ract work.
The sentiments expressed By the rest of the
delegates were that the report of the COM
mittee OF the Federation was FAR superior
to that presented by the committee of ex-
perts, who, while admitting that the speci-
fications had not been strictly complied
w Il
Federation groundless, which statement
the delegates regarded as manifectly in
consistent.
The statement that 1.-THE work was as
good us the average contract work also
received some attention. The general opin-
ion among mechanics of the building trades,
whose opportunities for observation are
ample, w as that there is no good contract
work. and that the use of it should be
abandoned on all public works.
The action of the Commissioners in re-
jecting the proposition OF the Federation
for an impartial commission, part of which
was to be selected by them and part by the
Federation, was commented upon, es-
pecially the Commissioners action in ap-
pointing a commission without allowing
the Federation any voice in the matter.
The delegates also referred to the per-
sistency with which the Federation had
insisted on thorough aud impartial in
yestigation, which should have been con-
sidered by the Commissioners as an evil
dence OF its good faith and confidence in
the truth OF the charges.
The delegates trusted that the results of
the investigation would be such as to cause
the Commissioners to more promptly and
cheerfully grant similar request here
after but whether il had that effect or not,
it was the unanimous opinion that it would
not deter the Federation of Labor from
closely watching the contract construction
of District public works and reporting any
suspicious cases that might be found.
The report of the committee was then
adopted and copies of same ordered to be
printed, to be sent to the Commissioners,
and given to the press.
Credentials of u. P Snowhiil and F II.
Sears, from the Eccentric Association Of
Steam Engineers; also of Robert FitZger-
aid, in place of James A Powers, from
Excelsior Assembly, received and ac-
cepted.
that on and after Monday, April s, their
assembly would meet in Harris Hall, Sew
eDth and d streets.
Delegates from the Painters Assembly
reported that Mr.. Jesse Mann had made
his shop strictly fair, none but union men
being employed.
Bricklayers' delegates reported that
comDlnatlOn hau been entered INTO Dy
sixteen boss bricklayers TO reduce the
wages of the journeymeR 81 per day, but
the scheme was proving a failure owing
to the inability of the combination to pro-
cure frst-class mechanics to work for
the proposed reduction. As a consequence,
several of the bosses forming the combi-
nation had weakened and were now pay
ing the standard rate.
Delegates from the Musical Assembly
reported that Capt. Randall, proprietor
of the River View summer resort, had en-
gagged members of the assembly to play on
all of his boats during the excursion season.
Electric workers reported that the elec-
trio work on the improvements OF the
Boston Variety store had been given to an
employer of non--union labor.
Carpenters made same report as to the
work in their craft on that building.
Cornice workers reported that in very
short time they would be able to report
that every man working at the cornice
business in this city would be member
of their union. At their last meeting a
large number had applied for admission,
and since that time two large firms had
notified their men that it was their desire
that they join the union.
Plumbers requested. the Endorsement Of