Evening star., 1896-08-04
CENTRAL LABOR UNION
Important Business Transacted at Its Regular
Meeting Last Night.
Correspondence With the MetrOpOli.
tan Railroad Company In Regard
to the Discharged Men.


Milford Spohn presided, and Mr.. Joseph F.
Torrens was secretary.
The greatest interest was manifested
throughout the proceedings. especially
when the secretary read a copy of the cor
res pondence between Mr.. William Silver,
chairman of the committee to Investigate
the difficulty now pending between the
Metropolitan Railway Company and its
locked-out men, and Mr.. Robert D. Weaver,
member of the board of directors of the
company. The following letter from
Mr.. Silver to Mr. Weaver was submit
ted and ordered placed on file: LAS
chairman of a committee from the Central
Labor Union / address you at this time.
We are instructed by the above union to
thoroughly investigate the cause of the
trouble on the Metropolitan street railway.
In order to inform you of our pur-
pose 1 will state that we have been
asked to boycott your road ana ne-
fore the Central Labor Union takes any
definite action it is necessary that the
plain facts in the case are heard on both
sides, so that the c. L. U. can act intelligent
ly, as it is their purpose to act squarely in
the matter and give CT withhold their IN
dorsement, according to the evidence. We
hope that you will see fit to meet the com
mittee in the near future, and. If possible,
let me know on or before Monday, August
81
Mr. Weaver's Reply.
Mr.. Weaver replied to the communica-
tion of Mr.. Silver as follows: Il thank you
very much for the honorable and impartial
sentiments contained in your letter.
'"The Metropolitan Railroad Company
throughout this whole matter has been
treated with great unfairness. 1t has
been boycottcd on the ground that Men
were discharged because they were union
men, when the directors, every one OF
whom is a respectable and responsible
citizen. have stated that no one was dis
charged because he was a knight OF La
Dor.
THE directors have solemnly and in the
mCSt unequivocal manner stated that these
men were discharged because it was be-
lieved to be for the best interests of the
company, and the subject Of whether they
were members of the Knights of Labor or
not was not discussed or mentioned before
the board.
THAT they were not discharged because
they were union men is evidenced from
the fact that number of both officers
and members of the Knights of Labor
were not discharged, nor Is 1t the intention
of the company to disturb these employees
as long as they perform their duty. The
directors did not act hastily in this mat
ter but with great care. and after much
deliberation came to the conclusion that
either they must discharge these men or
surrender their authority. None regret
the necessity of this course more than they
do. but the circumstances became so ur-
gent that they were compelled at last to
act"
No positive action was taken by the Cen
trail Labor Union in reference to the mat
ter, but the committee We're continued with
the understanding that they will again
the directors of the Metropolitan Railway
Company on the subject referred to in the
communication.
The committee appointed to Investigate
a rGpOrt that
Electric Railway Company was employing
non-union electricians on its work re-
ported that the construction of the line
has been in great part deferred: that they
had been unable to find any office of TIE
company in Washington, and that they
had communicated with the Baltimore
union of the National Brotherhood of Elec-
tricians and asked them to interest them
selves in the matter.
NOn-UniOn PAYERS.
The delegates from the PAYERS Union
reported that enc of the largest contractors
in Washington was employing non-union
men; that d committee from the union had
visited the men referred to, and that the
latter stated that they did not wish to Join
the union. The subject was referred TO the
grievance committee, which will visit the
contractor and ask him to employ union
men only.
The case of Mr.. N. P Collins, which
was brought to the notice of the Central
Labor Union by Delegate Canty attracted
much attention, and presented some feat
ures the existence of which was not before
known outside of the circle of those i'm
mediately interested.
Mr.. Collins, according to the statements
made, was formerly member of the Jour
neymen Horseshoers Union. Becoming am
bilious to he a boss. he some time ago
opened shop of his own and secured a
contract from the Washington Brewing
Ior Iiny,
This action on the part of Mr.. Collins de-
barred him from longer continuing as a
member of the Horseshoers Union. and the
latter gave him an honorable release, stat
ing, among other things. that he was a
fair man.
AS however, Mr.. Collins performed all
his work himself. not thinking it necessary
to employ d journeyman, he could not, un-
Ger the rules of the bosses union, become
member of the latter. Mr.. Collins contin-
ued to do Mr.. Williams work, but mean
while the latter received, 1t is said a letter
informing him that Mr.. Collins was no
longer a member of the journeymen' 8
union, and requesting that he be given no
more work by Mr.. Williams until he was
admitted to the bosses union
The next thing that occurred was, 1t is
said, that Mr.. Collins received letter from
Mr. Williams informing him that he (Mr.
Williams) was in favor of the employment
of union labor, and that until Mr.. Collins
united with the bosses union he could give
him no more of his horseshoeing to do.
The Central Labor Union, by unanimous
vote, instructed Secretary Torrens to write
to Mr.. Williams and give him full state
ment of the facts in the case.
Want District Men Employed.
Delegates Phillips, Silver, Canty, Large
and Murray were appointed a committee to
call on Mr.. James l.. Herman and see If a
contract for painting his theaters here can
not be secured for union men in the Dis
trict of Columbia.
Credentials were received from the Gal
vaniZed Iron and Cornice Workers, the
PAYERS Protective Union and the Painters
Protective Union, and the delegates were
and obligated.
The address Sunday in this city by Mr.
Samuel Gompers, president Of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor, a full synopsis
of which was published in The Star of yes
terday, was fully discussed, though in an
manner, ard the consensus Of
opinion was that the effect of Mr.. Com
pers visit would be highly beneficial to the
trades unions in the District.
Notes.
The following have been elected officers
Of the Street PAYERS Protective Union for
the ensuing year: President, William
Welsh; vice president, Charles Seedlings:
secretary, E. P. Lynch; treasurer. John
Shanahan; delegates to the Central Labor
Union, Messrs. Thomas Buttner John Cur
ran, William Rodgers, Frank Stewart and
E. p. Lynch.
A report has reached the HEADQUARTERS of