The Washington times., 1895-02-17
FEDERATION OF LABOR.

Twenty-Five organizations were represented
at the opening of the Federation meeting last
Tuesday evening President McHugh was
promptly On hand.and presided over the pro-
ceed:ngs.
The first business taken up was the report
of the legislative committee that it had exam
ined the bill TO regulate the practice of medi-
cine and surgery in the District OF Columbia.
and found it satisfactory, therefore recon-
mend its Endorsement by the Federation.
The measure was then unanimously indorsed.
The special COMMITTEES 10 wait on Loeb i
Hirsh, the street merchants, relative to
their proposed improvements. reported that
the firm had stated that it had been inserted
in the specifications that union men should
do the work.
The special committee on Mr. Kann's work
reported an interview with that gentleman,
who had stated that the control OF that work
was in the hands of Mr.. Corbert, the contrac-
tor The committee had also seen Mr.. Cor
bert, who had promised the committee that
hereafter none but union men would be en-
ployed.
The special committee to visit firms having
their horses shod by non-union men reported
that the respective firms visited had expressed
their desire that the men join the Horse
shoers Union, which they were willing TO
do. Letter from Mr.. Prather in connection
with the above was read, eOrroborating the
committees report. Referred to the Horse
shoers for their action.
The attention of the Federation was then
called tC the announcement in the news
papers TO the effect that labor mass-meeting
would be held at the Builders Exchange on
Thursi iay night for the purpose OF consider
ing the needs of a better sewerage system aud
better water supply for Washington. The
delegates considered il the duty of the rep
resentatiyes of organized labor TO be present
at the meeting and prevent anything being
done by the promoters of the meeting that
would reflect discredit on labor's name A
committee was appointed to attend and rep
resent the Federation. Ii was requested that
the committee publish in TIE TINES state
ment that organized labor had nothing 10 do
with the calling OF the meeting.
During the discussion many OF the dele
gates expressed themselves in favor of the
stated objects of the proposed meeting. II
was, however, the general opinion that the
true object of the meeting was to indorse the
District bond scheme. and not only that, but
to fix the responsibility of the Endorsement
on organized labor, which had so often, and
with such good effect, protested against this
plan.
Communication was read from a musical
union that was said to have been started in
this city. Referred to the Musical Assembly
The following letter. which explains itself,
was also received, and the proposition unani-
mously accepted:
TREATRICAL STAGE EMPLOYEES UNION,
OF WASHINGTON. d. c., Feb. u, 1895.
To the officers OF the Federation of Labor
of the District of Columbia.
Brothers: Washington Local. No. %, re-
| quests the presence of the officers of the Fed
GRAFTON at our first nnual benefit, to be
gwen at Buffers Biiou Theater, February IS,
| 1885, A private box awaits your disposal,
and we will be pleased to hear of your ac-
| eeptance. Fraternally,
| Washington Local. No. %, n. 4. of T.. s. E.
IRvISG G.. SAUTER. Secretary.
By order of the beneficial committee,
( LEONARD RUBEE. Chairman.
| The president then announced the names
| OF the following delegates ss composing the
| contract COMMITTEES for the coming month;
| Thomas j. Foley, J. F. P. Magee, William
| BaiIy W. III. Cromlin, and Roy l.. Carroll
[ 1t was reported that an extensive building
| was contemplated for the Avenue, between
| Ninth AMI Tenth streets, on the site OF the
| old Metzrott Building. and that the plans
were prepared by Architect Didden. who had
expressed himself so favorably to organized
! labor. The matter was referred 10 the con-
tract committee for investigation.
I Delegates from the Carpenters Assembly
reported that the Government Printer con-
templated using the upper story Of the Union
| building, which would neeessitate a large
| amount of work being done. The Federation
| was asked to prevent a repetition OF what
| was done in the same building a few weeks
| ago, when a contractor employed cheap labor
| on work which the government was paying
| for by the day. Referred to the contract COM
mittee for investigations.
/ PIasterers carpenters. painters. bakers
musicians, timers. sn theatrical alliance
delegates reported in favor of the measure tc
condeuse the method of publishing unfair
firms.
| Delegates from tho street railway unior
reported that they desired the assistance o
the Federation to secure the passage of bill
| TO reduce the hours OF labor on street rail
| ways. The request was readily granted, ant
! the matter referred to the legislatiye com
! mittee.
During the debate on the justice of the pro
! visions contained in the till, the fact wa
| brought out that it was through the efforts o
organized labor that bill was introduced il
Congress several years ago to reduce tn
hours of labor on all street railways in thi
city to tea per day, and that this bill had tn
effect of causing the Washington and George