The morning times., 1896-10-25
FEDERATION OF LABOR.


The regular weekly meeting of the FEEDER
ilion of Labor, held last Tuesday evening
WAS full OF interest from beginning to end.
The delegates took a very active part in
the debates, which were general in charac-
ter. President McHugh was in the chair,
and representatives from twenty-three local
organizations responded at roll call. Others
coming in later. Credentials of delegates
were received and accepted from the No
sale and Encaustic Tile Layers Association.
Underreports Of ofcommittees, the chairman
of the committee to wait on the proprietor
of the Lyceum Theater stated that an in
terview had been had, as per appointment
made with Mr.. Herman, who had received
the committee in his private office at the
theater.
Without listening to the committee, Mr.
Ternan had Informed them that he would
enter into no agreement with organized
labor. He had declined to sign contract
with the Central Labor Union, and would
do the same with the local Federation of
Labor. He was perfectly satisfied with
the present state OF affairs. Considerable
more was said at the interview, but as it
was agreed to place the full report before
each organization, it was decided to take
heard from.
The report from the Columbia Theatcr
job was full of interest. With regard to the
painting, the repert was that every painter
now employed on the work was a member
In good standing in the Painters Assembly
of the Knights of Labor. The report gave
general satisfaction.
In reference to the plasterng the report
Ill.
adjustment could be effected between the
contracting plasterer and the Plasterers'
Assembly without violating the fundamental
principles of organized labor. The con-
tractor was willing to pay the wage scale
OIL the theatcr job, but would not agree 20
make Tie same terms on his other work.
The committee would not agree to this, and
rather than embarrass Mr.. Metzerott had
agreed to forfeit the work and let the non
union men finish 1T, rs it was in a fair way
of completion. 1t had been learned, how
ever, that an attempt had been made by
those opposed TO the local Federation of
Labor to get the men at work on the thea
ter TO form an organization, but for what
purpose other than that Of antagoniZing the
q, legitimate organization could not be learn
ed. The delegates could not see where the
benefit came Ill for set OF men to orgapi::e
as a labor union, when il was admitted that
they were willing to work, and were work.
ing, for less than the standard rate of wages.
The delegates of the PlaSterers further
stated that the men proposed TO be organ
lied Were now unIcr suspension for non
payment OF fines for violating the trade
rules If the assembly, but if anyone could
make union men out of them the \ Assembly
would wish them God speed.
AT the Request of President McHugh the
delegates from the PlaStcrcrs Assembly
gave brief history of what the organiza-
tiun had done for the craft liz this city,
which was as follows: After many failures
to sustain 4 trades union of the craft prior
to 1881, the journeymen plastercrs Were
organized into an assembly OF the knights
of Labor. The wages OF plastercr at
that time was about ST per day of not less
than ten hours, but the principal draw
back To the craft was the pieccwork sys-
TEN.
After organizing into The knights of
Labor a demand was made for the abol-
ishmcnt ci ali piecework and for a uni
form rate of pay Of $3.50 per day. This
Drought on Il strike, which was of short
1uration. and resulted in n complete vic
1ory for the journeymen. Six months
later an Increase of 90 cents per day was
added to the daily pay.
In the spring of the next year 50-cents
more was demanded, and after strike
OF one day was granted. During this
the hours of labor We're reduced to eight
Der day. At the beginning of the mem
orable lockout of 1856 of the building
trales of the city the Plasterers Joined
bands With their brothers to assist them
In getting the same advantages of short
hours that the Plasterers had been enjoy
Ing for Some time. During the early his
O. tory OF the organization the card system
had been thoroughly inaugurateG and
was still held sacred by the Assembly,
and the principal reason of the success
of the assembly was due to that system.
and it is for the purpose of its abolishment
that the new organization was proposed
The recital OF the history was applauded
by the del egates, aud the manly sacrifice
made by the Pfasterers' on the theater
Job was hearth Y Endorsed. Other delegates
Who had been present at the interviews held
with reference to the work on the thcater
stated that Mr.. Metzerott had given posi-
tive orders not to admit the socaI led
organizer inside the theater. and that t,,.,
orders had been carried out. The inference