Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-02
THE FEDERATION OF LABOR
The Proposal to Affiliate With the National
Body Defeated.
A Minority Report in Favor of Am1ia-
tion That Provoked Much Dis
cussion-Other business.

TIE Federation OF Labor at it's meeting
last night adopted the report of the ma
jo rity of the committee appointed to con-
slider the ACCESSIBILITY and feasibility of af-
iiliatirg with the American Federation of
Labor. The majority did not consider such
step advisable. The friends of the move
ment to affiliate with the American Fedora
ton expressed themselves as not discour
aged by this action. Already letters have.
it Is understood, been sent to Vice President
James Duncan of the American Federation
of Labor at Baltimore, urging him to come
to Washington at the earliest practicable
moment and proceed to the organization of
the proposed branch of the A. F. of l.. here.
The minority report was written and pre-
serted by Mr. Geo. Q. Cook, chairman of
the committee.
1t provoked a great deal of animated dis
cussion. The delegates from the trade
union organizations who spoke on the SUBJ
ject urged the adoption of the minority re-
port, but, as stated it was voted down, and
that of the majority substituted. Mr.Cooks
report said:
after due onsideration and impartial
investigation, l am convinced that 1t would
be to the best interests of this body. and
would secure its future unity and harmony,
were We affiliated with the A. f. of L.,
with its forty-nine national and internal
tional unions, fifteen state branches, forty
two city central labor unions, located in
bodies, with a membership of $4,000.
There are a number of large and influential
organizations in this District not now affil-
lated with this body, but who would UNI
oCubtedly become connected with this fed
Grafton If it was chartered by the A. f. of
l.. Thus would be consolidated and united
all the labor organizations of this District,
which l believe If not soon consummated
a branch of the A. F. of L. win be insti-
tuted in this District, and the withdrawal
of a number of trade unions from this
body would be justified.
1T is a fact that as the federation is now
constituted, the multiplying of small K. of
l.. assemblies and giving them the same
representation in this body as trade unions
whose membership is largely in excess of
the K of l.. assemblies, has made the fed
GRAFTON simple adjunct to d. A. &C. 1t is
used to carry out the behests of the X. of
l.. representative body. The arrogant and
intolerant manner and methods adopted
by the X. of l. delegates toward the trade
urion delegates have convinced me and ev-
cry unprecedented observer that the trade
union delega ties, in justice to themselves
and the Unions they represent should in
the near future seek closer bond of
union with themselves and some natio lal
body in full s. mpathy with them. When
appointed on the committee l sought all
the information obtainable upon the sub
ject by writing to Vice President Duncan.
Accompanying this report are his replies
to my inquiries.
I'm conclusion, I recommend ahllat1on
with the A F. of L.
The Eight-HOur Prosecution.
The committee having in charge the prose-
cution of Contractor McVaugh at the gov
eminent printing office for alleged viola
ticn of the eight-hour law submitted
supplemental report, through the chairman,
Mr.. f. NJ. Blake, which was adopted, in
which it was stated that Mr.. McFaugh
was acquitted on the evidence of Lieut..
Sewell, who stated that the lives of 200
employees are constantly in danger. it was
their opinion that mad Congress regarded
the safety of it's own employees, and not
pursued a course of criminal negligence and
careessness, the old SHELF and 'death-trap'
would have been torn down and more
creditable building constructed long ago"
motion to adopt the resolutions extend
ing sympathy to the Cuban insurgents
Gently passed by District Assembly No. &C,
K. of L., caused an extremely lively de-
bate and it was finally defeated. A
the Endorsement of the resolutions referred
to would not accomplish anything substan-
tal, and that it was the opinion of the body
that the United States government should
recognize the Cubans as belligerents
Other Business.
The plumbers reported that all their diff
ferences with the steam filters have been
adjusted, and that they will make no fur
Their opposition to the admission of the dele
gates from the latter to the federation.
Credentials were received from the newly
elected delegates from the Steam Filters
Helpers Association, and also from those
elected to fill vacancies in the representa-
ton from the Cigar Makers Union, and all
were seated.
The delegates from the Theatrical EN-
ploy es' Alliance reported that all the stage
employees at Aliens Opera House have APP
Piled for membership in their organiza ton.
The butchers reported the accession of
fifteen new members.