The morning times., 1895-08-04
FEnFRArInN OF LABOR.


The attendance Of delegates and visitors
al the meeting Of the Federation of Labor
last Tuesday evening was very large,
not a vacant seat IN the hail and quite
a number remained standing during the
most OF the meeting. -Four eX-presidents
OF the Federation occupied seats and were
Interested observers Of the proceedings
President McHugh presided, and through
rs practical methods and prompt decis-
ions a vast amount of business was trans
acted in a short space Of time.
Before the meeting commenced groups OF
delegates were discussing the recent ap-
poiutment by the Commissioners OF an as
sstant building inspector. The opinions
expressed were to the effect that the ap-
pointment was very unsatisfactory Dele
gates stated that at the interviews with
the Commissioners, both with the Fedora
son committees and also with commit
tees from the Bricklayers Union, the
Commissioners had admitted the fcrce Of
the arguments presented that II was OF the
utmost importance for the protection Of
the community that practical brcklayer
should be appointed on the staff of the
building inspector. The speakers further
stated tuat the Commissioners had request
ed the cOmmitteest TO request the labor organ
iZati0ns TO assist them in convincing Con-
grcss or the urgent necessity Of increasing
the appropriations, So that IL would be pos
Eble to grant the requests Of the commit
tees
This has been done and the legislative
c0mmitteeOf the contract labor organization
had worked with might and main on the
Congressional committees 20 bring about
the desired results The delegates did not
rlaim the sole credit: they were OF the
opinion that even the Commissioners would
admit that the labor organiza tions OF the
District had been an important factor in
bringing about the legislation which made
1t possible 10 add an additional assistant
% the building inspector.
Fully convinced that the organizations
had faithfully performed their part of the
contract. the delegates were at a loss to
understand why the implied promise TO
Rn3oint a practical brickla yer, which the
delegates understood to be the Commission
ers' part Of the contract, have not also
been carried out.
When President McHugh raped for
order, IL was ascertained from the roll
call that thirty-three organizations were
represented at the IN Getting.
Credentials were pres ented from the
Journeyman Plumbers and Gasfitters and
the Carriage and Wagon Workers or
Plantations, which were accepted.
Credentials OF delegates to fill uneXpired
terms from the Eccentric Engineers were
also received and accepted.
The committee on floats for Labor Day
reported the features which it was pro-
posed to represent. The committee had de-
cded that the benefits brought about by
the enactment Of the eight-hour law should
be eNemplified on float. How this was
10 Ice done the Cummittee would state al the
neXt meeting.
Grievances against the Crawford Paving
Company for discriminating against organ
he'd labor were presented to the Fedora
ton It was claimed that men were brought
from Baltimore and given work in prefer
ence 10 residents Of the District.
During the discussion OF the Crawford
matter il was stated that the eight-hour
law was being openly violated by the
Crawford company in thlscity.
The result OF the debate was an order that
the matter should toe thoroughly investi-
gated and vigorously prosecuted If found
e. be alleged.
The decision Of the attorney OF the Dis
trict contained in his report To the Com
miSSiOners. as TO their powers in inserting
q clause in contracts that the maximum
rate Of wages be paid on the construction
Of all District buildings, was informally
read before the Federation, no official re-
port having been received. The decision
and reasons given by the attorney were
very satisfactory TO the Federation. The
delegates claimed that If the Commissioners
had the power to stipulate what should
be paid for material they certainly had the
night TO stipulate the price Of labor.
The committee We're instructed TO again
wait on the Commissioners and to present
their case more fully than before
Communicates from Hill & Fitzgerald
the horsesHoers stating their Willingness
70 employ strictly union labor, was received
and referred 10 the Horseshoers' Union
The delegates from the Cigarmakers
Union requested organizations charterine
excursion boats to have it stipulated that
only union made cigars be sold. An boxes
should have the blue label on them.
The representatives of the two organiza
lions OF tailors reported that arrangement:
lad been made for a joint open meeting