Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-22
AMONG. THE 4vNoRKlNGMEN
Efforts to Organize Joumeymen Painters
in New U1ion.
The Trade Union in,Politics-Sugges-
Federation md the Beer Boycott.

Steps are being taken,by the Central La
Dor Union Of the District of Columbia to
organize the journeymen rpainters and dec
orators OF. the city and vicinity into union
so that they may ne represented at the
approaching national convention OF the
Brotherhood of Paintera and Decorators
in Chicago
1t Is stated by those in a position to
know that this is likely to be the most
interesting convention the brotherhood has
ever held. The city council Of Chicago has
granted to the body the free use of the
council chamber. which is only the second
time that such privilege has been grant
ed to labor people-the first being when
the American Federation Of Labor met
there.
At the regular weekly meeting Of the
Federation OF Labor motion was aoopteo
that the committee on the brewers, boy
colt be instructed to unite with the COM
mittee Of District Assembly 66 IN trying to
effect a settlement with the breweries
represented by Messrs Heurich and Carry
respectively, on the same terms as were
made with the Washington Brewing Com
pany.
A member of the agitation committee
stated that the passage of the high IL
ceEse bill would be urged before Congress
The delegates from the Shoe Clerks AS
sembly, No. 1872 X. of L., asked for and
received the unanimous Endorsement of the
federation IN their efforts to induce their
employers to close their stores early. COM
mencing July g.
"A letter received in this city from M. ].
Carroll, one of the leaders Of the American
Federation of Labor, says: Never in the
history OF this country was such deter
mined effort made by politicians and all
grades OF reformers as is being made now
to induce the trade union organizations to
espouse a cause other than that for which
trade unions were formed. Advocates of
free silver and free trade, protection and
the gold standard, for purity OF the ballot,
civil service reform, direct legislation So
clallsm, single tax, and all manner of nos
trums besiege the union and labor with
the members in an effort to convert them
to their way of thinking. More than this,
the writer's who advocate -hese measures
insist that the trade unioniSt Is disloyal
to his union when he fails to see the great
benefits to accrue from the triumph Of
the particular measure advocated.
All the measures referred to here are
distinctly and essentially political in their
nature, and can only be effected through
the medium of the ballot box. The trade
union is economic in its character and ten
denotes, established for the express pur-
pose of improving the industrial and social
condition Of the mechanic and laborer, and Is
strictly non-partisaa and non-sectarian In
its makeup.
The purposes and objects Of the union
are SO simple and so easily understood that
SO long as tney are aOneTeQ 10 tneFe Is
little likelihood of serious differences be-
tween the members. Aside from the we'll
defined objects of trade union, the men,
bers' interest in reforms of a political ma
ture is no greater or no less than of other
citizens, and in the consideration and dis
posal of 1t he should be. allowed the same
freedom of action as is accorded to other
citizens.
When the socialist the free silverite or
the protectionist try to bring these ques-
lions into the union and try to make these
questions a part of the platform of trade
lnionism, he is but sowing the seed Of
discord without Strengthening Its own
cause l contend that a trades unionist
can go outside his union and join socialist
club. vote for free silver advocate a
protective tariff to his hearts content.
These are political questions, and in poll
tics the trade unionist Is free to act as he
pleases."
The International Bricklayers' Union now
has on hand a. reserve fund of $s,SJOO,
which Is constantly increasing.
George Clark, president OF the Miners
Union of Louisville, Ky. Is mayor Of that
city.
The three local unions of cigarmakers
in Philadelphia Will alilalgamate. The total
membership is about 1900.
The convention Of the Minnesota State
Federation of Labor will meet at Mime
apoliS June IA.
The cigar makers and packers unions of
Detroit have issued circular, asking the
labor organizations of every city belonging
to the Western Base Ball League to boycott
all games in which the Detroit team is
contestant. The reason given is that there
is a ''scab" cigar sign displayed the
grounds at Detroit, which the manager at
the request Of thu unions, declined to re-
move.
Mr.. A. w. Wright of Toronto. for many
years a member of the general executive
board of the Knights of Labor and editor
of the Knights of Labor Journal, has been
teEdered the commissionership of labor of
Canada, life position that pays 81, $50 per
year. He has not yet accepted it.
Maryland now has two labor statsticians,
both claiming to be the legal incumbent Of
the office. The term of the old incumbent
expired several weeks ago, but he refuses
to surrender his books and papers to his
successor because the latter was not, he
Gays, appointed by the governor within the
period prescribed by law
The BARRIERS Union Of Cincinnati which
In the past has consisted of employees and
tourneymen, has voted to dissolve and re-
organize on lines which shall resui. in a
separate union of each. The journeymen
will affiliate with the Journeymen BARRIERS
International Union of America.