Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-13
REsEkTiNH AM INSULT
A Federation ~ Labor Committee
Makes . State1neat in Regard to
the vermone, Representatives.

AA0 IoAA6IAB WU0S III ku6 k1OuDS ny rep.
resentativs Powers of Vermont in the re-
cent debate on the, free library bill have
stirred up to considerable Indignation the
workingmen Of the city. who have been
deeply interested in the library project.
The legislative committee Of the Fedora
ton Of Labor has drawn up the following
statement regarding the matter:
'Mr. Powers of Vermont, when he char
acterized as a lobby pushing a job the
representatives of the labor organizations
who sought to inform members Of Con-
gress Of the strong interest felt by the
workingnen in the passage of the free IL
brary bill, offers a gratuitous insult to the
workingmen Of Washington, which will be
deeply resented by them.
1.-THE organizs lions Of labor have made
several attempts to establish free circu-
lating library by public subscription, but
responses to their appeals have not been
general enough to start the enterprise.
'"They believe a free library would pro-
vide their children with the means other
wise denied them OF: pursuing the studies
begun in the graded public schools, and OF
thus perfecting their. education. Many
workingmen feel that they might have be-
come educated men had they, enjoyed the
advantages furnished by free library.
1.-The fact that the workingmen OF WASH
lngton receive on an average less per an
rum than their fellow workmen In other
cities affords q strong argument 70 support
their appeal for the establishment OF free
library. Their earnings are too small to
enable them to maintain their children In
the public schools beyond the eighth grade
This unfortunate condition Is due chfeny to
under the organic law of the Dis
trict, which requires the Commission
ers to advertise for bids In the cities
Of Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York
Under this law seven-tenths OF the contracts
are awarded to foreign contractors, who are
enabled to underbid the Washington con-
tractor because they base their bids on
cheap labor and the expectation OF doing
material. This labor imported into the Dis
trict not only temporarily displaces the
home labor, but Is stranded here after the
completion Of the job. to further threaten
the Washington mechanic with loss OF en-
ployment or else to share the charity an
nually distributed by the community. If
the contract is for the construction of sew
ers the padrone system Of slavery Is adopt
ed and the poor Italian Is imported to dis
place that class Of our labor whose very
existence depends on opportunity to secure
employment on public work.
Under these conditions was 1t not natural
tfat the organizations Of labor should join
with the board Of trade In trying to estab-
lish a library at municipal expense?
I'VE have no voice in the administration
of government, fact that makes 1t neccs-
sary for us to appeal to those who have
been constituted our lawmakers. Ordinari-
ly workingmen's requests have received re-
spectful attention, II they have not been
granted. It is a new experience for work.
ingmen to be insaaltad as Mr.. Powers has
insulted them for applying to Congress to
aid them in their laudable aim. Mr.. Pow
ers has demonstrated that he has no regard
for our welfare, and has struck cowarflly
blow at class of men who. as they are
deprived of suffrage, he believes to be help
less But there is, "a principle taught by
every workingman,s organization in this
country today, thats'the injury Of one is the
concern of ALL and the grievous insult
offered workingmen, and the cause of labor
in the District will be made known to our
brothers and sisters in Vermont, for whose
good opinion and whose SURFACES Mr.. Pow
ers may have respect. The defense of the
wofkingmen by their true representative
Me- Grout.; will be told at the same time
In order that the contrast between the
courses OF the two men on q matter of in
terest to werkingmen may be clearly SEEM
1t Is earnestly hoped that when Mr.. Powers
again appears before the people as a can
didate for political honors he may be made
to feel that no man can with impunity
openly traduce labor or the Representatives
of labor.
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE, Fedora
TON OF LABOR.