The morning times., 1896-05-10
FEDERATION OF LABOR.

Considerable business wus transacted at
the regular weekly meeting OF the local
Federation OF Labor on last Tuesday even
ing. Forty organizations were repre-
seuted and President McHugh occupied the
chair.
The question OF securing the standard
rate of wages and hours TO be paid and
worked on the proposed structure of tie
American University, resulted IN the adop-
uon OF a form of letter TO be sent To the
ministers Ofthe Methodist Episcopal Church,
requesting that the work be done by the
day, under The supervision OF an architect.
In case this proposition was not approved
then tie ministers were requested to have
inserted in the specifications cluase pro-
vidmg that the rate of wages to be paid
for labor. either skilled or unSkilled, should
be the maximum rate paid by employers OF
union labor fer work OF similar cbara Cter
The superior advantages of having work
done 10y day labor over that done under
the contract system had previously been
presented to the building committee Of the
university bya committee OF the Federation,
but the matter has not been finally de-
Cided. The whole question had been re-
ferred Ia the next meeting OF the university
authorities.
The action of the agitation committee,
appointed by the local organizations af-
fillated with the Federation, to adopt more
of the brewers combiue, was then taken
up. The adyisability OF joining hands
with the temperance organizations in Sc
curing a higher license for saloons was
discussed at length.
Delegates from the Cigar Makers denied
the published statements THAT the cigar
makers had not indorSed the boycott on
the brewers combine The delegates
further stated that their union had not
Y n h h.1r -lCp
1t riEidly. The discussion then became
general, when i motion was made to in
dOrsc the action Of the agitation committee,
and was carried by larger vote than the
one by which the combine was placed on
the unfair list.
The legislative committee then presented
the bill providing that all hogs. cattle. sheep
or animals OF any kind intended for slaugh-
ter and sale in the District of Columbia shall
be killed at the Washington Abattoir at
Benning Station, ID. c. In response to queS-
tIons the chairman of the committee stated
that unless satisfactory arrangements were
made with the managers OF the abatuoir the
bill would not be presented to Congress-
The bill also provides, THAT immeida tely
after its passage the Commissioners shall APP
point one or more inspectors who shall be
practical butchers, whose duty it shall be
to inspect all hogs, cattle, sheep or other
animals intended for slaughter and sale in
the District or Columbia, ETC." When the
bill was first read the delegates did not
seem TO be very favorably disposed to in-
dorse il. as il seemed to be something I'M
necessary, but after a few forCible word
pictures by the delegates from the butchers
of how the public can be imposed upon by
having diseased meat put on the market
under the present system. the bill received
the unanimous Endorsement OF all present.
Senator wilkinson Call received sons
very fIattering mention 10y the Fedora
tion. 4 letter was ordered To be sent to
the honorable gentleman, extending to him
an acknowledgment of past favors, and as
suring him that organized labor of the
District Of Columbia recognizes in him q
stanch champion of the rights of labor
TO organize for mutual protection
The Federation also placed itself on
record as TO being opposed to the further
granting Of franchises by Congress TO any
corporation for new lines for street rail.
ways, or extension of present lines in the
District OF Columbia, unlesss provisions
were made the the protection of American
citizens, by employing none other in the
construction, running or operating of all
the proposed roads, and that the wages of
drivers. motormen and conductors shall be
not less than 81 per day OF not more than
ten hours. By q unanimous vote, the
services of Senator Call were again called
for, and the president and secretary were
instructed TO forward a letter to him, re.
guessing his aid in opposing the granting
OF any charter 10 corporations, unless the
above conditions were included In the
granting Of the same.
Invitation was received to attend the
International Socialist Workers and Trades
Union CONGRESS-. which meets in London
England, July 27 next. After tsBe invi
tation had been explained it was dseideC