The morning times., 1895-12-01
FEDERATION OF LABOR.

The meeting OF the Federation of Labor
last Tuesday evening was, as usual, well
attended. representatives from thirty-five
local organizations responding at roll call
President NcHugh called the meeting 10
order promptly at 7:30 O'Clock.
Delegates We're admitted from the Horse
shoers. Street Railway Union, Bottling
House Employees aud Steam Filters Help
ers orga MIA tons TO fiji vacancies
The contract committee reported that
the engineer employed AT Aliens Grand
Opera House had made applicu;ionto the Ec-
centric Engineers Assembly.
The special committee 10 investigate the
grievances OF the bottling house employees
against the Finley and Arlington Bottlmg
Companies stated that only SOW progress
could lie reported, but they hoped by next
meeting to make q fun report.
Under the order OF new business several
matters OF vital Importance to the in
tercsts of the worSirgmen of the District
of Columbia Were considered. The first
proposition considered was that of the
Rcheme of the board of trade for public
library for the District or Columbia. Quite
a number of delegates gave their views
on the subject. Fears Were expressed That
10 cooperate with the board of trade might
neutralize the good effect which was ex-
pected TO be accomplished by the Work
iugmen's Library and Bureau of Labor
AhsDtltl4bi- II NtS Stsittt4 kitaal ttli> as
sociation was doing a great deal OF good
in securing work for the unemployed dur
ing the short time it had been in existence,
and. as was well known, a large number
of vlluab bile books had been donated and
could he had just as soon as a suit table
place could be secured to deposit the same.
The general sentiment, however, of the
delegates, was to the effect that to CO.
operate with the board of trade or any
other asSnglItlnp Ia secure "A nh biip library
for this city could not possibly result in
any harm TO the present labor bureau. The
main object 10 be considered was the secur-
lug OF n public library, and it mattered
not what particular course was pursued
II the main purpose was accomplished, and
;twould be to the Interests OF all concerned
to work iu harmony and not antagonize
any sympathetic influence for fear of
ieopardizinG the entire movement. The
result of the debate was the instructiDg
of the legislative committee to cooperate
with the board of trade.
a resolution was then introduced In
structinE the president and secretary to
act in conjunction with a like committee
of tile District Assembly for the purpose
of inviting Eugene V. Debs TO make an
address in the city during the month of
January, 1896, and in case the invita-
tion was accepted power was given to the
Joint committee 20 appoint committee
of twenty-five from the various labor or
ganiZations of the city TO make arrange
ments for proper reception to the great
labor leader.
The resolution met with the unanimous
approval of the delegates and the president
and secretary VIII appoint a committee.
Another interesting feature of the pro-
ceedlngs was the introduction Of a bill
prepared by the Musical Assembly ITO
Organize and fix the pay OF the United
States Marine Corps" The question of
allowing members OF military bands a
themselves without being compelled TO
enter into competition with civilian mu-
sicians has long provoked considerable
discussion IN labor circles, and the practice
of allowing military bands to compete with
the local bands has been severely denounced
asan outrage On the citizens Of Washington.
in view OF The fact that it is positively
prohibited liz other large cities. Under the
provisions of the bill neither the band
nor any member stail engage in profess
sional services in competition with civil
ians except when acting under direct
order OF the Secretary OF the Navy or the
President OF the United States. The bill
was referred to tie Legislative committee.
The committee an the work of the
American University reported that no re.
ports had been received from the recMn-
meBdation Of the committee when 1t made
to be furnished with proper data showing
the advantage Of day labor over the con-
tract system. Several delegates from the