Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-05
Proposed Organization of a Branch
Of the American Federation.
SEVERAL UNIONS MAY GO IN
A Movement Said to Have Been
in Progress for Some Time.
MEETINGS HELD LAST NIGHT


and influential organizations of laboring
men that are not attached to either the
Federation of Labor in the District or Dis
trict Assembly, No. &C, Knights of Labor.
These are rs follows: Columbia Typo
graphical Union, No. 101, whose masnifi-
cent numbers and the high standard of
efficiency to which it has been brought
under President George A. Tracy, entitle
it to the first place in the list; Columbia
Musical Union, Plate Printers Union, l. T.
P. u, Pilots Association, Granite Cutters
and Saddle and Harness Makers 4 move
n1ent is understood to be in progress for
the formation of these and such other So
cieties of organized labor as may be dis
posed to unite with them into a branch of
the American Federation of Labor.
The project has been quietly discussed for
several weeks among some Of the labor
leaders here.
One of the prominent labor leaders of
the District in speaking of the matter last
night to a Star reporter said:
Il believe in the unification of labor, To-
cally, nationally and internationally. l be-
lieve that ii all the labor bodies of this
country were allied in one grand national
body the organized labor of the country
would be in a position to accomplish more
along the lines Of genel al advancement in
twelve months than can be accomplished
given any attention to labor organizations
knows that if moral and financial support
In the event of disturbed trade relations,
Is confined to a contracted local field, much
less can be accomplished than when a To-
cal movement is reinforced by the approval
and substantial sympathy of workers re-
gardless of state lines craft
''Recognizing this fact, trade union or
CARNATIONS were allied in a national or
ganization of the craft. This was an adj
vance logically toward the institution of
the American Federation-A grand concen-
tration of the trade union forces of all the
country, with, I believe, the exception of
Washington.
Here the union organizations, though
composing quite largely our Federation of
Labor, must depend wholly upon local sup
port to accomplish any of the ends for
which the federation Is maintained. d. A.,
No. &C. K. of L., is under the aegis of
national body-our federation is only local.
Concluding from the primary principle
of organization, and believing that the
great test power Is in the largest union;
when we understand that labor is organized
for a common purpose, and that the inter-
ests of all are mutual, cannot understand
why they should be factious, arrayed under
different banners and marching under diff
ferent leadership.
II believe in concentration, in a grand al
lance so perfect and harmonious as that
an injury inflicted upon single member Of
the smallest organization in the most re-
mote section of our country will be resented
by every organization under a common
standard. This will be accomplished some
time in the future after labor has put aside
the evils of jealousy strife, contention, in
tolerance, and concludes to devote its eff
forts to the advancement Of men by
steadfast devotion to that which is true,
just and liberal.
IF this can be accomplished by larger
alliance than now exists with the organiZa-
tons of this District l shall be gratified.
am convinced that national utilization would
not weaken US locally. while it is very
probable that we would be very much
stronger than we are.
Progress of the Movement.
Another prominent labor leader said:
1.-THE movement concerning which you have
asked me. viz, the proposed organization
in the District of Columbia of a branch
of the American Federation of Labor, be-
gan to take shape about ten weeks ago,
and 1t was intended that the newspapers
should not learn anything about the matter
for some time yet, but, as a matter of
course, and as might have been expected
The Star has learned what is going on in
that direction. The movement is really
formidable, and once the nucleus is formed
the branch will be almost certain to receive
acceSsions from many quarters.
I'm order to get a charter from the
American Federation of Labor it will be
Necessary for seven organizations to unite
in making application. l know of at least
ten OF ELEVEN tndI can De appended upon
to do this. AS matter of fact, the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor is already repre-
sented in Washington, there being one or
more unions affiliated with it, though they
are also represented in the Federation of
the District.
These men feel that the time has come
for those who are DESTROYS Of grasping the
broader possibilities which are open to as
sociations having a national and interna-
tional connection to make move in that
direction, and they think the outlook very
favorable.
There is today in the American Fedora
ton of Labor membership of 300, 600 and
its branches are to be found in every Sec
ton of the United States and Canada.
There is no desire on the part of those who
are participating in the movement to do
anything to cripple or interfere with the
operations Of the Federation Of the Dis
trict, but there is certainly an earnest wish
to have it affiliate with the national aud
international federation"
Local Complication.
Mention was made by another we'll
known leader of the report as published in
yesterdays Star, that when the delegates
from the Steamfitters' Association pre-
scented their credentials emitting them to
admission as members of the body a. the
meeting Tuesday night of the Federation
they were met with a protest from the
delegates from the Plumbers Associa ton,
and the latter succeeded in having the Gre
own organization for discussion and report.
The ground Of objec ton was stated to be
that under the terms of their charter the
members of the Plumbers Association have
the right to work as steam filters, while
the members Of the latter organization are
said to be working more hours and for less
pay than the plumbers are willing to ac-
cept for the same class of work
THE particular job referred to where
this state of affairs exists is said to be
Heurich's brewery, where a number of
union steam filters are at work, and at
this time everything is moving along
smoothly.
1.-The contract Committee II the Fedora
tion,' said the labor leader referred to to
The Star reporter, has secured from the
owners of that brewery a contract agree
ing that he will not employ any steam
filters there except those who are recog-
pized by the Federation of Labor and D. 4.
&C, K. of l.. Now, by refusing admission
to the Federation of Labor, and the dele
gates from the steam filters and the
plumbers will almost certainly recommend
that this course be taken, the steam filters
at work at Heurich's as well as all those
belonging to their union will be outlawed
md oop M 1nnD tl,o;.