Evening star., 1896-10-06
THE CENTRAL LABOR UNION
President Gompers' Advice to His Fellow
Workmen.
Grievances of Local Craftsmen Under
Consideration On-TrOuble Among
the BARRIERS.

The regular weekly Tie citing of the Cen
trail Labor Union, which was held last even
ing at Typographical Temple. was attended
with much enthusiasm on the part of the
delegates from the tWenty-one organiZa
tions represented. President Milford Spohn
presided
A letter from President Samuel Gompers
of the American Federation of Labor was
read aud placed on file. The letter said:
During the vacation season, when gen
eral business was reduced in volume, and
when the seasons charge was such that
extra work was impossible, a rest was had
At the present time an Improvement is
noticeable and the good work should be re-
newed. Especially would remind you
that the political agitation which is about
us should not be allowed to interfere with
the work of organizing, for no matter what
element may gain the ascendant, and no
matte: what the conditions which may fol-
low, the workers will have to fight for their
share.
BE it remembered at all times that the
proceeds of all effort, the sum total OF
PRODUCTION, is at first hand at the disposal
of the employer so-called. and that the
natural tendency of the employer is to buy
in the cheapest market and therefore 10
pay as low wages as possible. Even should
he desire, on general humane principles, to
give to labor what is commonly called fair
treatment, a decent living wage, he is pre-
vented from doing so, excepting in special
cases. by the commercialism which pre-
walls: he does as others do. Tie captains
of industry fight for a market between
themselves in the same manner as the
workers seek employment. The hghtlng
ground of both is limited by the iron grasp
of monopoly all sides. which takes the
cream of that which all classes Of labor
produce.
The legislative committee repor ed that
the statement of the PAYERS that laborers
were employed to do paving py the Dis
trict government at less wages than the
union scale brought TO the attention
of the Commissioners, but that as yet no
answer had been received. The committee
is waiting a reply to charges made by the
PAYERS Union, Wien the matter will be
further considered by the central body.
The delegates from Brewery Workers
Union. No. IFS, reported that several weeks
ago they had communicated with Mr.. Leon
Tobriner asking a conference with the
brewers, for the purpose of adjusting trade
relations, but had received no answer to
their request. The matter was referred by
the brewery workers to the Central Union
and the secretary of the body was directed
to request the brewers, through Mr.. To-
briner, to meet in conference a committee
of the brewery workers and thus recognize
them as legitimate trade body, affiliated
with tie Central Labor Union.
The BARRIERS reported that their organiZa-
ton at their last meeting had placed four
shops en- the unfair list. and asked the
Endorsement of the central body. The mat
ter was referred TO the grievance commit
tee, which will report at the next meeting
and If the BARRIERS grievance cannot be
satisfactorily adjusted the action of Bar
bers Union will be indorsed and the shops
| will be formally placed on the unfair
list.
Organizer Weber reported that the Re-
tail Oil Dealers Protective Association
would consider the question of being char
tered by the American Federation of La
Dor ard being represented in the Central
Eesday evening. He also reported that
union of plasterers was being organized
and that an application for a charter
would be submitted to the Central Labor
Union next Monday night.
Delegates from Brewery Workers Union,
No. 11S, were admitted and obligated.