Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-11
FEDERATION OF LABOR
Topics Discussed at the Meeting Last
Night.
An Appeal for Union-Made Cigars
Proposed Law Regarding
~ Contract Labor.

Vice President James Wood of the Cigar
Makers International Union, who is visiting
various sections of the country in the in
terest Of his craftsmen, created a decided
sensation at the meeting last night of the
Federation of Labor by speech delivered
by him, in which he explained how some
CT the cigar factories in New York are con-
Quoted.
Many factories" said Mr.. Wood, ARE
lCcate in tenement houses, and a recent in
spCction revealed that in numerous in
stances is many twenty men, women
/ and children We're crowded into one small
room. and that these tenements We're often
rtrvaded with contagious and infectious
| diseases, such malignant diphtheria, etc.
Those CT these people who are adults earn
s. per week and they are compelled to pay
$14 per month rent.
There also many other instances
where American manufacturers employ
Chinese to make cigars for them, and into
room fifty by thirty feet 100 of these Chin;>-
men will be crowded. In the same room
they also eat and sleep" Mr.. Wood made
| an appeal to the members of the Federation
| to buy union-made cigars.
The meeting was largely attended repre-
| sentatives from forty-one organizations be-
| ing present. President James l.. McHugh
presided.
Against Contract Labor.
Mr.. E. NJ. Blake, chairman of the legis-
lGtive committee, submitted bill in ref
erence to the employment of labor in the
District of Columbia. The bill was approx
ed and will be presented to the House Dis
trict committee at the earliest opportunity.
The provisions of the bill are follows:
Section l. That from and after the passage
of this act the Commissioners of the Dis
trict of Columbia shall have supervision
and control of all labor employed on public
buildings and public works by or on behalf
of the District of Columbia, and shall desig-
nate an officer officers under whose i'm
mediate supervision and direction all such
labor. whether skilled or unsklled, shall
be employed
Sec. >. That all labor employed on pub
lie buildings and public works in the Dis
tr1ct OF Columbia, whether skilled or I'M
skilled, must be employed by the day and
no work upon any of such public buildings
or public works shall be done by contract
Sec. 3. That all laws or parts of laws
Inconsistent with the provisions of this
act are hereby repealed.
Mr.. Blake also announced that the legis-
iative committee is preparir an employ er' $
liability act.
The secretary was directed to comnuni-
cate with Senator Call and request of him
copy of a report made to the last Con-
sress by the District Commissioners con-
corning the estimated cost of sewers and
street extensions in the District.
Reports From Unions.
An encoura ging report of the operations
VI tHe bureau ana WOfklnSmen 5 IL
brary was submitted by Mr.. NJ. d. Shenk,
| manager.
The Paperhangers reported a donation of
$40 to the locked-out Anacostia drivers and
L. a. 26i2 81 to the same cause. The latter
also reported that tax of ) cents per
month per capita has been imposed to aid
in the support of the Dor bureau
The Bakers and Confectoners requested
the legislative committee, whose members
promised to- do so, to frame 4 bill for pre-
sentation to Congress prohibiting Sunday
work in bakeries. The proposed bill has al
ready been indcrsed by the Federation
The 'ralors' Union reported that the pres
ident of the Tailors' International Union
visited. the city during the last few days
and made an effort TO settle the dispute be-
tween the local union and large clothing
house here, but was unable to do so.
\ committee of five, Mr.. E. NJ Blake
chairman. was appointed to cooperate with
organizations in the District favorable to
the restoration of the right of suffrage to
citZeEs of the District.
The Street Railway Assembly delegates
reported that the outlook for the success
of the strike of the AnacCstia railway men
is very encouraging; that extra coaches
will seen be put the line, ard the route
extended to the corner of 18th and G.
streets northH est.