Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-24
Steps Toward Organizing a Central
Body in Washington.
ENTHUSIASTIC CONVENTION YESTERDAY
The Various Labor Organizations
Unite in the Action.
MANY STRONG SPEECHES

form a central body of the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor in Washington.
The proceedings began promptly at 2:3O
pm, and were continued for several hours.
Mr.. James Duncan of Baltimore, vice
president of the American Federation OF
Labor, who had been especially delegated
by the executive council Of the A. F. of l..
to organize branch here, called the meet
ing to order, and on motion Mr.. Milford
Spohn of Bricklayers' Union No.s1, lone of
the old war horses in labor circles, was
called to the chair. Mr.. q. T. jenkins of
Columbia Typographical Union was chosen
secretary.
Chairman Spohn appointed as a commit
tee on credentials Messrs. Rodier of the
Typographical Union, McQuirk of the Elec-
trical Workers and Brett of the Steam and
Hot Water Filters. The committee was
also authorized to make any suggestions in
their report which they might deem proper.
List of Delegates.
A recess Of ten minutes was taken to en-
able the committee to examine the ere
dentials referred to them. and when the
meeting rcassemblei Chairman Rodier of
the committee reported that the following
persons were entitled to seats in the body:
Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners,
No 100, Messrs. Rose, Lomax and Heislay:
Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and
Joiners. Mcssrs. McHay, Huson and CALI
ford; Carpenters, No. l, Messrs. Riley.
Nussbaum and Hughes; Typographical
Union, No. 1O1, Messrs. Rodier, Roberts
and Jenkins; Steam and Hot Water Filters
Helpers, Messrs. Brennan and Mockabee;
Bakers and Confectioners' Union. Mr.. John
Weber; Steam and Hot Water Filters.
Messrs Brett, Smith and White; Horse
shoers, Messrs. Hartley. Prockleton and
Lynch; Granite Cutters, Messrs. Silver.
Crawley ard McKie: Stereotypers, Messrs.
McCarty, Campbell and Torrens; Elee-
trical Workers. Messrs. McCrink, Malone
and Phillips; Plumbers, Messrs. Daley and
Sullivan; Cigar Makers, Messrs. Hughes,
Willis and Wingate; Columbia Musical
League, Messrs. Gessler, Schofield and
Weber.
Those present from Carpenters Union,
No. /, and the Plumbers stated that they
were not present as accredited deiega ties,
but acted as individuals after being re-
quested to participate.
Delegate Roberts of Columbia Topographic
cal Union offered the -following, which was
adopted unanimously: Resolved, That 1t
is the opinion of the asse mbled trade union
lists that central body is necessary to the
interests Of trade unionism in the District
Of Columbia"
Vice President Duncan's Address.
Vice President Duncan of the A. F. of L.
was introduced by President Spohn. Mr.
Duncan was received with demonstration
explained the action Of the executive coun-
Gil in reference to organizing a branch of
the American Federation of Labor in Wash
ington. and the fact that authority to COM
plete such an organization had been con-
ferred upon him. His address, which kept
closely to trade union lines. consisted main
ly in pointing out the points of difference in
the organic construction of the American
Federation Of Labor and the knights of
Labor, and, in conclusion, he remarked that
hoI hoD yfyr hara or
there are trade union organizations to have
a central body of the A. F. of L., that
they could keep in check any unwise ad-
vice." etc.
On motion of Mr.. Roberts, the following
was adopted by unanimous vote:
Whereas it is the sense of the trades
unioniSts present that it is wise and neces-
sary to organize a branch Of the A. F. Of L.
in the District of Columbia, be it resolved.
THAT the officers elected today hold over
until the fourth Sunday in March. when all
trades unions be invited to send three dele
gates to meet with us on that day to form
a permanent organization"
Protection of Seamcn.
Mr.. Andrew Furuseth of California was
the second speaker. Mr.. Furuscth is a
prominent official of the International Sea-
mems Union, and he, as heretofore stated
in The Star, has come to Washington in
the interest of bill which is now before
SOueTeSS, anu WHICH ScthS " improve tHe
condition of the merchant marine MI
Furuseth explained at length and in a very
forcble manner the advantage that mem
bership in the American Federation of La
Dor had been to the seamen on the Pacific
coast and urged those present to take the
necessary steps to become affiliated with
the American Federation of Labor, forming
central body here.
Mr.. Thomas ]. Elderkin of Chicago, gen.
eral secretary of the Seamens Interna-
tional Union who is seeking to induce Con-
gress to pass law which shall afford bet
ter protection and perhaps save life among
both seamen and those who travel on the
great lakes, also made an address, which
abounded in illus STATIONS Of the advantage
of organization with great interna tional
body such as the American Federation of
Labor. The arguments Of each speaker
proved very convincing, and at the conclu-
sion of the speaking motion was adopted
by unanimous vote rendering thanks to
Messrs. Duncan, Furuseth and Elderkin for
Their addresses.
A considerable amount of detail work
which has yet to be arranged for will. it
is expected, be attended to by President
Spohn, who, it is thought. will have every
thing in readiness for the completion of
the organization at the next meeting
Vice President Duncan Of the A. F. Of L..
who was seen by Star reporter for a few
minutes previous to his leaving the CITY
for Barry. VT, where he goes to settle a
difficulty which has arisen there between
the granite cutters and their employers
regarding wages, told The Star reporter
that he was greatly pleased with his ex-
perience yesterday in Washington, and that
he believed the new organization will be a
complete success.
Friction Possible.
The trade union organizations represented
at the meeting comprised nearly all of those
bodies which are in existence in the Dis
trict, and 1t is predicted that the move
nent then inaugurated will result in a
bitter war between the A. F. of l.. and the
Knights of Labor, with the possibility that
the local federation will sooner or later be
disrupted. It Is further claimed that there
will be no course left for the organizations
who were represented at yesterdays meet
ing but to withdraw their delegates from
the local federation, and this will leave the
latter an almost exclusively Knights of
Labor body.
It is reported in labor circles that in the
case of the bricklayers the federation does
not intend to wait for their delegates I'd
withdraw, but that in pursuance Of a reso-
luton said to have been adopted at the
meeting of D. A. 66, K. of L., Thursday
evening last, the former will be expelled
from the local federation at the meeting
tomorrow night
It is said that this punishment Is to be
inflicted because of the bitter opposition to
the beer boycott which has been shown on
every favorable occasion by members OF
the Bricklayers' Union.