Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-18
Violations Of the Eight-Hour Law
Under Consideration.
TEE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR
Proposed Building Where Trades
Bodies Can Have Headquarters.
AFTER THE MARINE BAND

Inc regular weekly meeting OF the Fed
GRAFTON of Labor. which was held last
night. aboulded in lively incidents. There
were thirtyseven organizations represent
ed, and President James F. McHugh oc-
cupied the chair
Among the leading questions before the
body was that relative to the alleged vio-
lation of the eight-hour law by Mr.. Frank
NJ. McVaugh, the contractor for the con-
struction of the iron work for the ex-
tension of the government printing office.
A resolution was unanimously adopted
that committee of three disappointed to
investigate the charges made against Mr..
McVaugh. and the chair named as the
members of the committee Messrs. Milford
Spohn. George o. Cook and E. NJ. Blake.
During the discussion of the subject the
suggestion was made and approved by a
number OF those who spoke on the question
that nothing further be done in the mat
ter until the return of President Cleveland
to the city. and that then committee COM
posed of members of the federation call
upon him and ask the chief magistrate to
issue proclamation calling the attention
of all government officials and contractors
to the provisions of the eight-hour law,
also that the same committee call on At
torney General Harmon and ask him to
see that the eight-hour law is enforced
everywhere. and especially at the work
now being done at the government printing
Office. that being the course adopted by
President Grant under similar circum-
stances. The decision was finally reached
that this manner of procedure would be
too slow, as it was probable that by the
time the President and Attorney General
shall have returned to Washington the
work concerning which there Is now dis
pute will be completed.
The American Federation.
There was also a lively debate on mo-
ton to appoint committee of five to con-
slider the advisability of uniting with the
American Federation of Labor, it being
Well understood by many Of the delegates
from articles which have appeared in The
Star. as well as also from private informa-
ton, that steps are in progress to form a
branch of the A. F. of l.. here. 1t was
stated that the formation of the latter was
practically certainty In the near future.
and as there are now a number of organi-
cations in the District which are not affil-
lated with the local federation, and which
1t Is reasonably certain will unite with the
new central body as soon as the opportu-
nifty occurs, the present federation, unless
1t take steps to get into the A. F. and L.,
If it shall be deemed advisable, after full
investigation, to do 50, might be placed at
disadvantage.
The motion was vigorously opposed. hut
finally was adopted by good majority.
The Marine Band.
The plasterers called up the question of
their status with tie Marine Band. At
their request the federation Endorsed a
resolution adopted by the Plasterers' As
sembly which declared THAT we, the
journeymen plasterers of L. A. 1914, K. of
L., of Washington, d. c.. do most positive
ly refuse to employ the United States Ma
rine Band SO long Mr.. Fanciuili has
charge of the same, and earnestly call on
all other labor organizations to do the same.
70 ha fadA 70 oil
course of action, and to urge all organiZa-
tons affiliated to do the same. We would
further like to have this body, in conjunc-
ticn with d. a &c, to take some action
looking to the removal of MIR. Fanciulli
from the leadership of said band"
Plumbers and Steam Filters.
The knotty question as to the proper re-
lation of the plumbers and steam filters
crafts to each other, and which has been
widely discussed in labor circles for the
past two weeks, was not brought to the at
tention Of the federation, the plumbers, to
whom the matter of admitting the dele
gates from the steam filters to the fedora
ton was referred. not being ready to make
a report. 1t is understood that nothing
further will be done in the case at pres
ent-one reason being that the steam filters
are allied to national organization Of their
own trade. Meanwhile the delegates from
the steam filters association are kept out
of the federation; Dut their mem DefS are
not outlawed and are permitted to work
without interference from the plumbers.
A Labor Building.
The committee on labor bureau made
report stating that it was possible to Sc
cure a building on F street which could be
fitted up so as to answer the purposes of
a headquarters for the labor bureau and
the proposed library, as well as serving as
the meeting place for the various societies
of organized labor in the District which
now meet in various places, and that even
less rent than is now paid by each If ap
piled to the same purpose at the building
had in view would leave but nominal
rent to be assessed to the bureau and
library.
The committee asked that the question
in all it's bearings be brought by the dele
gates to the attention of their respective
organizations and also requested that each
Of the latter shall name member of
board to have the permanent management
of the bureau and library, the present COM
mittee having been appointed by the fed
Grafton and d. A. SO, K of L., for temporary
purposes only.
1t was stated that up to this time about
10000 books have been promised for the
library.
The Moody Choir Renssembles.
After the summers adjournment, the
choi, 1a1 1ast IN,