Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-19
Contractor McVaugh Charged With
Violating Its Provisions.
ARRESTED ON 4 WARRANT
The Case Continued in the Police
Court Today.
W H AT IS CHI A R g E D

Frank M. McVaugh, the subcontractor
for the iron work on the new addition to
the government printing office, was ar
rested last evening on a warrant charging
him with violation Of the eight-hour law.
McVaugh is the man with whom the Fed
Grafton of Labor has had some trouble
during the past few days, owing to its
charge that he has compelled the men I'M
der him to work longer than the law al
lows.
The arrest was made at the instigation of
committee of the Federation of Labor,
consisting of Messrs. E. M. Blake, Milford
F. Spohn and George E. Cook. The matter
was brought to the attention Of the Fed
GRAFTON at a recent meeting, and these gen.
tlemen were appointed to investigate the
charge against the contractor. and, If
necessary, to carry the matter into court.
The committee reported to the Federation
that the charges were well founded, and at
tee was instructed to proceed against Nc
Waugh. His arrest followed.
Warrant and Complaint.
The charges against McVaugh were con-
tanned in the warrant which was sworn out
late yesterday afternoon. 1t was issued on
the complaint of VIM. H. Linthicum, one
of the workmen employed by McVaugh,
who appeared before Justice Taylor to
swear to the statement it contained. 1t
was served by Detective Hartigan of the
sixth precinct. In the complaint which
was attached to the warrant Linthicum de-
clares that McVaugh required him to work
over time September TO- IL, II, Is and II.
without any necessity. For this extra time
he was to receive 20 cents an hour. the
same as he had been paid for working in
the regular hours Of toll. The over time
ranged from two to four hours per day on
the days mentioned.
The First Case.
Mcvaugh was locked up at the sixth pre-
cinct station house, where he remained I'M
til after midnight, when his lawyer Mr..
Edward L. Giles, who had seen Judge KIM
ball and had his bonds fixed, succeeded in
getting him released. He gave bonds in the
sum of $3.50 for his appearance in the Police
Court this morning.
The statute fixing eight hours as a days
labor On all government work was approved
August 1. 1892. The penalty for its viola
ton Is fine not to exceed 81 600, or i'm
prisonment for not more than six months
or both. in the discretion of the court. This
Is the first case that has ever been brought
fer this offense in the District.
A Continuance.
When the case was called in the Police
Court, before Judge Kimball, this morn
ing the three members of the committee, as
well as number of other members of the
federation and prominent labor leaders,
were present as interested observers. The
case, however. occupied the attention of the
court for only a few minutes, as Mr.. Giles
stated that he had had a conference with
Mr. Mullowney, the assistant United States
attorney for the District. ard that as a re-
suit Of that conference he desired to ask a
continuance of the case for a week.
that Mr. McVanQh'S LAWYER
gave for asking a continuance was that
some work Of UNDERMINING was being done
at the printing Office, very similar to that
in the old Ford's Theater just prior to the
great disaster, and that the safety Of the
structure demanded the personal supervis-
ion Of the contractor every day for at least
a week.
Bonds Given.
Mr.. Mullowney said that he was willing
the case should be continued, but that he
thought the bond ought to be increased, as
1t is customary to make the bond at least
equal to the maximum fine.
Judge Kimball agreed to this, and said
that he had fixed the bond last night with
out knowing what was the maximum pen
atty Mr.. Giles said that while they were
willing and able to furnish any bond that
might be required, he wished to say that
tant work in this city, and though he is q
resident of Philadelphia, he had no inten-
ton of going out of the jurisdiction Of the
court. The judge was in favor OF granting
a continuance. as, with only one court IN
session, as at present, the docket is over
crowded with cases. He fixed one week
from tomorrow for the hearing, and Nc
Waugh gave bonds in the sum Of $1.OOO for
his appearance.
An Unnecessary Apology.
To the Editor Of The Evening Star:
The editorial in this Mornings edition OF
the Times pretending to apologize to the
committee of the Federation Of Labor for
taking the prosecution of the charges
against Contractor McVaugh for violation
of the eight-hour law out OF the hands OF
the committee is misleading and unWar-
ranted. The facts are that the Federation
committee secured the necessary evidence
induced witness to make oath to the m,
formation, had the warrant issued and
placed in the hands of Lieut.. Kelly, who
detailed an officer to make the arrest.
E. M. BLAKE,
MILFORD F. SPOHN, .
GEO. o. COOK,
Committee.