The morning times., 1896-06-14
FEDERATION OF LABOR.


his gavcl ut the regular meeting of the
Federation of Labor last Tuesday even
ing, he was greeted by the representatives
from forty local labor organizations. A,
the close of roll cali delegates from three
other locals pat in an appea rance. As soon
as the minutes of the previous meeting and
other routine matters had been dispensed
with, the reports of the several standing
and special committees weres taken up.
Several mattcrS of vital importance to the
building trades were referred to the CON-
mittee on contracts. and the instructions
given to that committee by the president
was considered timely and thoroughly ap-
preciated by the delegates. A vacancy on
the committee was announced and Presi-
dent NcHugh considerably strengthened
that committee by appointing Il delegate
who for long period of years has heen
considered one of the most jealous workers
for the cause of labor.
The chairman of the legislative committee
reported that there was still a chance of
the anti-contract laborssll being taken up
and passed during this session of Congress
If not taken up at this session the working
people of the District of Columbia might rest
assured that it would be one of [ he first
measures acted on at next session. There
was no opposition to the bill, and it was
only the want of time that would prevent
the chairman of the District House Com
fore it adjoums, for he had SO expressed
himself. Speaker Reed had also assured
the workingmeD of this city that he was in
hearty sympathy with them, and had placed
the bill on his list, but could not give any
positive promise that it would be reached.
The work on the American University came
prominently before the meeting. 1t was
announced that the stone for the proposed
structure would be prepared outside this
city and by cheap labor. The special conf
mittee appointed some time ago by the
Federation to wait on the building COM
mittee OF university was again instructed
to use every honorable means to have the
University people reconsider their action
and endeavor to have at least living wages
paid on the construction of that tbuildng, and
to have the work done by home labor.
Communication was read from the Stone
masons' Union requesting the Federation
to use its influence TO have the masonry
work on the river flats done by organized
labor. The work, il was stated, had
been conducted for years to the detriment
of union labor, which means that less than
living wages have been paid. The matter
was referred to the contract committee for
Immediate -considera ton.
The stonemasOns also presented a grev-
ance the Washington and Great Falls Rail
road Company, which was referred to n
special committee for investigation.
The special committee on the horse
shoers' grievance against the Merchants
Parcel Delivery Company, reported that in
an interview with the manager of the com
pany he had stated that he was now sole
proprietor of the shop where the horses
of the company were being shod. The
committee recommended that the matter
be referred back to the Horseshoers' Union.
The delegates from the HorseshoerS stated
that the proprietor Of the hall where the
union held its meetings had declined to
stop the sale of unfair beer in his saloon.
The union had resolved to find another
meeting place.
Delegates from the Lithographers' Asso-
citation announced that they were going 10
give pleasure trip up the Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal Oh Sunday. June 81. Delegates
were fraternally invited to attend and bring
their families.
Labor Day celebration committee an
nounced that q meeting would be held at
the close of the Federation meeting for
the purpose OF effecting q conference with
the District Assembly committee as 10 the
manner in which the day should be Cele-
brated.
The Labor Day excursion committee an
bounced that the proposition of getting
out Labor Da Daysouvenirhadbeen favorably
discussed, but no definite action would be
taken until the meeting of the joint com
mittee.
The committee appointed to revise the
unfair list as now published, recommended
that as each man on the list had been
placed there at the request of some organi-
Eatiou, that the matter be referred to the