Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1895-07-12
A NEW LABOR CENTER.
The Importance of Having Head
quarters at the Nations Capital.

The Importance Of Having Head
quarters at the Nations Capital.
| Washington is assuming Importance
as center of labor interests owing t
the belief which seems to be quite gen
eral among the labor leaders that al
the more important objects of or
ganized labor are to be secured by
Legislation, they should be present in
person at the nations capital where
the national legislature meets.
Heretofore it has been the custom
when any matters OF interest was
pending before Congress, for the vari-
Gus organizations TO send on commit
tees to represent their interests here.
This method has been found to be ex-
pensive, and in many respects unsat-
isfactory. AS is we'll known, the head
quarters OF the Knights of Labor have
recently been removed from Philadel-
phia to this city, and a building has
been erected here for the use of the
national officers. The national Or
ganization of stonecutters is also here,
and it is said that other bodies OF Or
ganized labor contemplate making
this city their central point. The sig.
nifcence Of this movement can be
readily appreciated, and it is construed
by many to mean a more intelligent
appreciation OF the methods by which
the condition OF the laboring classes
are to be improved.
A rather striking demonstration OF
what might be termed a more liberal
if not more intelligent policy on the
part OF labor organizations was af-
forded in the recent action which
placed the government printing Office
under the civil service rules. This
change was advocated with a single
exception by all the labor unions rep.
resented in that great establishment.
The single exception was that Of the
bookbinders, and it is understood that
they subsequently agreed to the
change. The matter was fully de-
bated by the various unions, and the
effect of it was fully understood.
The belief was then entertained and
is still held by many of the labor peo-
pie that this move would result in the
destruction Of the various unions. 1t
is of course understood that under the
civil service rules appointments to
positions in the government printing
office are open to all who demonstrate
their fitness by passing the required
examinations. The law does not
recognize the existence of unions, and
applicants, of course, will not be re-
quired to be members of any of the
organizations.
Then, too, the permanency Of the
positions is more assured than under
the old system, and the practical need
OF organization for mutual protection
will, it is claimed, not be so apparent.
1t is thought by some that a large
number of the members OF the union
will from motives OF economy and
other considerations abandon their
membership in these organizations
and depend upon the civil service law,
rather than on the unions, to keep
their places. On the other hand, it is
asserted, that while the interests of
the individual will be benefited, the
organizations will not be injured.
The situation, however, is an inter-
esting one, and will no doubt be re-
garded as marking an epoch in the
history OF organized labor in this coun-
try. A large number of the skilled
workers in the Bureau OF Engraving
and Printing are under the civil ser
vice rules, and now it is likely that an
effort will be made to bring the ma
chinists. the iron-workers, and other
employees in the gun foundry in this
city under the protection of the civil
service law. A few years ago a propo-
sition OF this kind would have been
looked upon as ridiculous, as it was
supposed that a civil service examina.
ton meant q test OF the scholastic re.
quirements Of applicants.
1t is, now, however, generally un-
derstood, that these examinations are
adapted to ascertain the fitness OF
persons for specific places, and have
nothing to do with the book learning
OF the persons examined except so far
as the duties of the position demand
qualifications OF that character.
While the civil service law does not
confer upon the appointees fixed ten.
ure upon the Office, yet it does away
with the principal reason which. under
the old system, lay at the bottom Of
most removals, namely, the desire to
give the place to some particular indi-
vidual. 1t is impossible to do that
under the civil service law, and so re-
movsls from Office, as a rule, are be-
cause OF the inetficiency of the EN-.
ploye, or for other reasons OF like ma.
ture.
GREATEST AMERICAN FLAG.
/ Ii WaYad af W0Hldss Fair and Nh ~