The morning times., 1896-06-21

A mass meeting In the interests OF the
Workiagman's Library Association and
Labor Bureau was held last evening at the
headqua rters, No. 314 Eighth street
northwest. 1t was well attended. especially
by those prominent in all movements looking
toward the tterment of the aboring classes
in the District. =
The Consensus ofopiniOn as expresedin the
addresses was that education was the only
means OF salvation. 80 far as maintaining
and enforcing the rights and demands of
:aborare concerned. and for this reason alone
the library should receive the hearty sup
port of every laboring man and every labor
organization in the city.
The meeting was called to o rder by Presi-
dent Spra que, who briefly outlined the work
OF the association. what had been accom-
plished by 1t in the past and what was
expected OF it in the future. 1t was q
mistake. he said. that each local organi-
zation was represented by only one delegate
The number should be greater,the more the
better. for with an increase in representation
the Interest in the work would naturally
increase alsoa
FAITH IN THE FUTURE.
Mr.. Sprague expressed great faith in the
future or the library association and urged
all present when they returned to their
organizations to impress upon the members
that Their greatest hopes lie in the success
OF the Library and Bureau OF Labor
Manager Maiden, who is also secretary OF
the association, gave a very interef.ing
account of all that had been ACCOMPLISHED
by the ASSOCIATION since it was established
Mr. Maiden said that experience had made.
him believe that it would be for the best
interests OF the workingaen IL the rooms
were kept open in the evening as well as
In the day SO that after work hours the
,abcring people could have access 10 the
library.
This was not thought to be good pia 70 by
majority OF those present. who claimed
that after n hard days work Iaborer
much preferred to remain at home with
his family
MFR. Maiden also referred to the fact
that at the last meeting of the board of
directors OF the free library it was de-
cided to loan the association thirty or
forty volumes every week He also sug-
gested the organizsAOu OF a night school
NIGHT SCHOOL PROPOSED.
In the discussion which followed this
proposition IL was stated that very proba-
bly, some of the teachers in the city would
volunteer their services. This, however.
did not seem to meet with general favor.
FOR Mrs. Jennie l.. Monroe, treasurer of
the association, said while she favored the
Idea of establishing night school ;.e
could not inGorse the free teaching feature
II would surely result in lesseuingg the
means OF support of the teachers OF the
city. This, she said, was contrary to the
principles OF the order OF Knights Of Labor.
She cited as an instance the opening OF
u school by the WiiEodaughsis, which re-
suited in taking employment from people
who made a living by teaching. She also
had great hopes FOR the success of the
ASSOCIATION aud hoped to see tie day when
they would have their own hall, a night
school with well-paid teachers, circu-
iating library, and gymnasium
Mr.. Frank Dent of the Railway Assembly
made an excellent speech in which he in
dorsed the suggestion of President Sprague
for an increase IN the representation froIn
all the labor organizations
CHANGES IN THFS2ULES.
He favored :; change in the laws SO as
to permit the lahoriDg men to take what
ever book they wished to their homes for a
certain length OF time. He pledged the sup
port of his organization to the association so
long as it existed.
Mr.. Charles Homes also spoke forcibly in
favor of making renewed efforts in the in
terests of the association. For some time
past, he said. the tteDtion oforganized labor
had been absorbed by the beer troubles,
but he felt sure thatin a few days all that
would be over and then the central bodies
District Assembly Sc, and the Federation
of Labor would turn their attention to the
advancement of the interests of the Library
Association and the Bureau of Labor.
Interesting speeches were also made by
Mr.. Michael Cuff. chairman of the executive
committee, District Assembly Sc; Mr.
Thompson Machinists' Union; Mr.. McCon-
Daught of the Carria ge Makers, and others
The meeting was harmonious throughout
and very encoura ging as to to the future
of the association.
Another meeting will be held on next
Friday evening ut O'Clock at the same
place.