Evening star., 1896-12-30
IN LABOR CIRCLES
Preparing for an Earnest Fight for Eight
Hour Day. =
To Conduct q Campaign of Education
-MOvements In the Local
Organizations.

Prominent members Of the Central Labor
Union of this city are taking steps to
consummate what is to be regarded by
many trades union,sts as the most I'm
portant action in labor matters taken for
years.
The work is expected to be inaugurated
early in the coming year, when revival
meetings will be held in various sections
of the city each evening except Sunday.
Monday and Tuesday, on the two latter Of
which the Central Labor Union and Build
ing Trades Council. respectively, have their
meetings, the object Of which will be to
interest all the mechanics Of the Dis
trict in the benefits to be derived from
membership in the trades unions. The
duties Of the speakers. which, 1t Is under
stood. will comprise some of the best talk
ers, not only in the Central Labor Union,
but also from the American Federation
of Labor, will be somewhat akin to those
of an evangelist.
These revival meetings will not be con-
fined to certain unions. In fact, 1t is the
intention to hold open or revival meetings
in each Of the organizations affiliated with
the Central Labor Union.
The details for the meetings have not as
yet been completed, but 1t Is expected that
Union committee will be appointed to
have charge Of the whole matter, Of which
one of the most energetic of the labor
leaders will be chairman.
During the ensuing three months the
members of the Central Labor Union, es-
pecially those associations AFFILIATED with
the Building Trades Council. will agitate
the subject Of a shorter working day. and
the members Of the various building trades
organizations will, 1t is believed. make a de-
nand for an eight-hour day on May next,
Notwithstanding the declara ton Of the
American Federation of Labor at its recent
convention in Cincinnati that 1t would be
wise to defer the general demand for the
eight-hour day until May 1, 1898.
In order to bring the matter of renewed
interest in organized labor matters and the
eight-hour proposition directly to the atten-
tfon Of the bodies interested, the Central
Labor Union will. 1t is thought, at Its next
meeting, authorize some one to take the
matter up as his special mission. His prin-
cipal business during the first few months
of his incumbency will be to visit the vari-
oCs unions, hold meetings for organization
purposes and visit the non-union mechanics
and talk to them of the benefits that would
accrue to them in the event they became
members of the union.
Education Needed.
Referring to this movement President
Milford Spohn of the Central Labor Union
said today: Il think the scheme a very
good one, and hope that 1t will be adopted
in Washington. 1t is only by active agi-
tation and the education of the wage class
in the principles of trades unionism and
the vast benefits to be derived from or
ganization that they will be In a position
to advance to the fullest extent the in
terests Of the wealth producers of the
country. Much can be done along this
line to increase organization, which is nee
essary before those measures beneficial to
workmen can be consumInated
THE most important is the eight-hour
work day, which could be attained during
the coming year and made general If as a
preliminary move all the crafts were more
thoroughly organized and thus placed in a
position to enforce the demand for a
shorter ork day.
The very important work of thorough
organization has been neglected in the past
and the result has been that there is a
large per cent Of local wage workers out
side OF the protective pale Of organization.
So long as this condition exists the force
extent.
In the future it will he the policy of
the Central Labor Union to extend Organ
liza ton. and 1t Is hoped that at the close
OF the most thoroughly organized Giles In
the country"
Other Matters.
The regular weekly meeting of the Build
ing Trades Council was held last evening
at the hall Of the Electrical Brotherhood
President William Silver in the chair and
Mr. j. M. Boyce secretary. A report was
submitted that the proprietor of a hat
store in this city had employed in the re-
pair of his place non-union people from
Baltimore at $3.50 per day. committee
was appointed to bring the matter before
the Central Labor Union at its next meet
ing, with the view Of having the place put
on the unfair list.
I W a cd fhaf
the government printing office was being
done by an Alexandria firm with non-union
men, at $50 to 81 per day. when the mini
mum rate Of wages as prescribed by the
trades unions is s. per day.
committee was appointed to inquire in
to the matter and make q report at the
next meeting of the council
The committee appointed to call on the
directors Of the Consumers Brewery in
the interest of union labor reported that
the directors will have a meeting Thursday
evening, at which time a conference will
be held by the committee with the former.
and when. 1t Is expected, a final adjust
ment of the matter will be reached.
Announcement was made that the semi
annual election of officers for the council
for the ensuing six months will be held
Tuesday evening next.
At the last quarterly "star" meeting of
the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters
and Joiners officers were elected for the
ensuing term, as follows: President EdW
treasurer. Edward Burley; check steward,
]. ]. Smith: sick steward w. 8. Spencer
auditor. s: D. Barron: trustees. ]. d. Nc
Kay. A. Lingley. w. H. Jenkins; branch
committee. ]. Galliford. A. Silver. F. Gar
trell, d. Wallace, T. Driscoll: referee, w.
A. Reed; delegates to Building Trades
Council, W. c. Brunger, Andrew Murray;
delegates to Central Labor Union, E. Bur-
ley, J. d. Mckay. A. Silver, ]. Galliford
and j. Hamilton.
There was considerable discussion at the
meeting of the local Federation of Labor
last evening but no business of Importance
SO far as was announced after the adjourn
ment was transacted.
Great bargains in claret sauternes, Rhine
wines, Bergundies, imported and domestic
runs, port wines. cordjals, etc, at private
sale, being balance of stock of George E..
Kennedy & Sons, 1118 Connecticut avenue
NV to be closed out before January /,
1887. Percival NJ. Browi., assignee.-Advt.
Funeral of Rev. Samuel shannon.