The Washington times., 1895-01-06

reception committee, was in the ante-room
and desired TO be allo wed to make a stats
ment, also to deliver message from the Hon.
John Burns to organized Iaborof this Dis
trict. On motion the gentleman was admit
ted. who stated that he bad been reuue ested by
Mr.. Burns to announce that the invitation eX-
tended to him by the organized trades-of the
District OF Columbia had not been received
by him until after his arrival in this city,
hence the reason why no reply had been re-
ceived by the Federation to the invitation
Mr.. Powers stated that Mr.. GomDers had the
full charge OF the tour of Dir. Burns, there
fore he alone was responsible for any mis-
management. o. .--..- ,t.s
Regular order was then resumed. The
contract committee reported that Mr. Re-
petit, of the firm of Weller & Repetti. who
had informed the committee that their work
had been given to Dir. Owen Donnoriy, who
had fall control
The committee had also waited on the man
qger OF the Washington Brewing Company,
who had prodCced the specifications of the
work which showed that II was the intention
OF the company to give the work to union
men. The manager had been shown cards
by the men on the job and thought that the
work had been done strictly by union men.
Investigation had been made as soon as COM
plants were received.
Hartic, the hardware man on street
northeast, had also been seen. who had told
the committee that Mr.. j. c.. Yost had been
given the contract for building his new store
and dwelling, but that he had forgotten to
make any provisions for union men to do the
work. ~s
Several other jobs that had been referred
to the committee had not. owing 10 the holi
days, been investigated, but would be re-
ported on at the next meeting
The legislative committee reported that ac-
cording TO instructions given at last meeting
they had waited on the House District
Committee, and had urged upon the mem
bers the importance of having the force in
the building inspectors office OF the District
increased SO that proper inspection of build :
ings during construction might be had,
which under the present small force of in
spectors was an impossibiiity.
The representatives OF the Federation had
been asked by the District Committee why
it was that organized labor should interest
itself in this matter when the owners of the
buildings did not seem to be concerned
about it?''
The committee had replied that the Slip
shod manner in which buildings are erected
under the contract system, makes il the inn
perative duty of all honest men who are aware
of the state OF affairs to make the facts known
to the proper authorities These conditions
are best known to the contractors and their
workmen and are hid from the owners as
it is to the interest of the cheap contractor
not to make the facts known. The non-
union man. owing to his unprotected condi-
tion, dare not speak, aud therefore 1t only
remained for organized labor to perform this
public service. The District Committee had
promised to investigate the matter
The semi-annual report of the financial sec
retary-treaSurer was read and approved by
the finance committee. The report showed
the finances OF the Federation in healthy
condition: also that there had been marked
OF the delegates during the past quarter. e.
Communications from District Assembly
relative to the proposed change of advertising
unfair firms was received and referred 10 the
locals for consideration.
Delegates from the Carpenters Assembly
calledattention to several prospective Jobs
that might be secured for union men.
Delegates from the Excelsior Assembly re-
ported that their assembly had passed reso-
lutions indorsing Senator Calls bill relating
to street railroads, making eight hours
legal days work. a set of resolutions pro-
testing against the proposed bond issue of
the District. and requesting the suffrage as
sociations and all those opposed to the issu-
ing OF bonds, especially in the way that it is
now proposed to issue them so that the whole
burden will rest upon the taxpayers of the
District OF Columbia was unanimously
adopted and referred to the District Assembly
asking for their Endorsement and eo-opera-
ton and then to be given to the press.
The proposed new theater was then dis
cussed and the contract committe instructed
to endeavor to secure the work for organized
labor